Know Your Zones: Green, Yellow, Red

Caring for a loved one at home is an act of love. This guide helps you know what to watch for every day.

Every day, do five things. Weigh your loved one in the morning and write down the weight. Give their medicines exactly the way the doctor ordered. Check for swelling in the feet, the ankles, the legs, or the belly. Prepare low-salt meals. And balance activity with rest.

Your loved one's body sends signals. Think of three zones, like a traffic light. Green, yellow, and red. Knowing them helps keep your loved one safe.

The green zone means everything is fine. Breathing without difficulty. Weight is stable. No new swelling. And no chest pain. Keep up your daily routine.

The yellow zone is a warning. Call the doctor if the weight goes up two pounds in one day, or four pounds in one week. Also call if you notice more shortness of breath, more swelling, or a lot of tiredness. A dry cough or dizziness also count. And if it is hard to breathe while lying down, call.

The red zone is an emergency. Call 9-1-1 right away if your loved one cannot breathe, even while resting. Also call if they have chest pain, or if they are confused and cannot think clearly. Do not wait.

You are not alone. Before we go — can you name the three zones? Green, yellow, and red. Check these zones every day, and trust what you observe. Your home health team is here to help you. Call your agency whenever you have questions. Thank you for caring with so much love.

[SILENT in the locked edit — no narration over this epilogue. The disclosure is delivered as on-screen English text only; the narration audio ends at ~115.8s. Satisfies AB-3030 (CA, eff. Jan 1 2025): names AI + directs to a human provider + agency.]

OPTIONAL contingency VO (only if the edit is later changed to carry audio here): "This video was made with the help of artificial intelligence, for learning only. AI can make mistakes. Always follow your doctor's or nurse's instructions. For an emergency, call 9-1-1."