Refuel #15

🔥 Refuel | Issue #15
A Newsletter from Faith + Gasoline
📅 Subject: “What Should I Be Looking For?” – Health Red Flags in Parents 65+

🛠️ Welcome to Refuel

Hey fam,

You’re not trying to control your parent.
You’re trying to understand them.

But here’s the truth:
They won’t always tell you when something’s wrong.
They won’t always know.

That’s why this issue matters. Because once they cross that 65+ line, the risks rise—but the warning signs get quieter.

You need to know what’s normal, what’s not, and what to do about it. We have discussed the pain they don’t tell you about but this is a more expansive view. Look this isn’t sad or depressing - it’s part of life. Aging is a blessing!

Let’s break down the most common diseases in older adults—from Alzheimer’s to arthritis—and how they show up before anyone says a word.

🔥 This Week’s Theme: Don’t Wait for the Diagnosis to Pay Attention

📖 Verse of the Week:
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity...” – Ephesians 5:15-16

You’re not paranoid.
You’re present.
And wisdom will help you protect the people you love.

🚗 Story from the Road: The Signs Were There—But I Missed Them

Before my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I chalked a lot up to “normal aging.”
Forgetting names.
Leaving the stove on.
Repeating stories.
She had arthritis, so I thought her stiffness explained everything else.

But it wasn’t just arthritis.
And it wasn’t just aging.

Looking back, her body had been telling the truth long before any doctor did. Her personality had started to shift. She had been a meticulous cleaner, she had always gone to church, she was obsessive about what she ate - almost all of that changed. It wasn’t overnight, but when I look back, it happened from ages 70-80 for sure.

Now, I want to help you catch the signs early—you don’t want to be scrambling for answers DURING the crisis!

🧠 Let’s Break It Down: 6 Common Conditions in Adults Over 65

1️⃣ Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia

What to watch for:

• Repeating stories/questions in the same conversation

• Getting lost in familiar places

• Difficulty handling money or bills

• Trouble with time or sequence (“What day is it?”)

• Personality changes, paranoia, withdrawal

📌 Important: Not all memory loss = Alzheimer’s. But consistent cognitive decline deserves a doctor’s attention.

2️⃣ Arthritis (Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid)

What to watch for:

• Joint stiffness, especially in the morning

• Limping, slower walking pace

• Avoiding activities due to pain

• Swollen or warm joints

📌 Important: Untreated arthritis can lead to falls and loss of independence. Movement helps—but pain management matters too.

3️⃣ Type 2 Diabetes

What to watch for:

• Frequent urination

• Excessive thirst

• Sudden weight loss or gain

• Fatigue, blurry vision

• Slow-healing wounds

📌 Important: Diabetes is a silent accelerator of heart disease, stroke, and vision loss. Screenings are critical.

4️⃣ Heart Disease / Hypertension

What to watch for:

• Shortness of breath (even without activity)

• Swelling in legs or feet

• Dizziness or fatigue

• Irregular heartbeat

• Chest tightness (especially during stress or movement)

📌 Important: High blood pressure rarely feels like anything—until it causes a heart attack or stroke.

5️⃣ Parkinson’s Disease

What to watch for:

• Tremors or hand shaking at rest

• Shuffling gait

• Rigid movements

• Low voice, masked (expressionless) face

• Difficulty with buttons, writing, or utensils

📌 Important: Parkinson’s often starts subtle. Movement changes are the first red flag.

6️⃣ Depression & Loneliness

What to watch for:

• Loss of interest in hobbies or food

• Sleeping too much or too little

• Irritability or anger

• Saying things like “I’m just tired of it all”

• Not answering the phone or isolating from friends

📌 Important: Depression in seniors often looks like fatigue or memory loss. Don’t dismiss emotional health.

⛽ Quick Refuel: What to Do if You Notice a Change

✅ 1. Document changes
Write down patterns, frequency, and severity. This is gold for doctors.

✅ 2. Schedule screenings
Don’t wait for symptoms to escalate—preventative care saves time and trauma.

✅ 3. Involve them early
Say: “I’ve noticed a few changes and I want to help you feel your best.”

✅ 4. Request a geriatric assessment
A full workup can reveal overlapping issues (memory, meds, physical changes).

✅ 5. Trust your gut
You know them. If something feels off, it probably is.

📌 Takeaway: Awareness isn’t control—it’s care in its highest form.

Thank me later: Focus on catching as much as you can early so you don’t get overwhelmed later.

📌 Next Steps

🧬 Curious about your own numbers?
Try Function Health – a full panel of lab results that most doctors won’t order.

Congrats to our first nominee for a Refuel mug due to great caregiving. April had to move into action after her mom took a fall last year - taking over care for both of her parents. Unfortunately, she recently lost her mom but April came through making sure her care was top-notch. A good daughter is an amazing gift! Good job, April.

📢 If this helped you, share it with a sibling or friend who has a parent over 65. Don’t wait for the ER visit to get informed.

💙💙 Community is the new currency 💙💙

You are not imagining it.
You are seeing it.
And because of that—someone you love will be safer.

Go be great. 🚀💙
Love you.

With faith & fuel,
Judith A. Culp
Founder, Faith + Gasoline