Later life changes often begin not with a major event, but with quiet shifts in a daily routine. A missed medication, a once-tidy home becoming disorganised, or unopened mail piling up can be early warning signs. For a financial adviser, recognising these subtle signals is no longer just a matter of good client service; it is a crucial part of holistic financial planning.
Understanding these early signs of change can help you guide clients through challenging transitions before they escalate into urgent, expensive, and emotionally difficult situations.
The Professional Framework: ADLs and IADLs
Care professionals assess a person's ability to live independently using two established frameworks:
- Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): These are the basic personal care tasks, including washing, dressing, eating, using the toilet, and moving around safely.
- Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): These are more complex everyday tasks, such as preparing meals, managing medications, keeping the home clean, handling bills, and using transport.
When a client begins to struggle with either set of activities, it often marks a turning point where care costs can escalate and family members may need to step in.
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Red Flags to Watch For
Your clients may not raise these issues themselves out of pride or because they may not even recognise the changes. However, small signs can signal a bigger story. Be observant during meetings or conversations for signals like:
- Unopened mail
- Missed appointments or confusion about dates
- Changes in personal hygiene or grooming
- Poor nutrition or expired food in the fridge
- Forgotten bill payments or new overdraft charges
- Increased reliance on their adult children
You are not expected to diagnose health issues. But by recognising when more support might be needed, you add significant value. You can encourage clients to prepare before a crisis hits, frame future care as a normal part of planning, and help families stay aligned.
