Knowing when your aging parent may need help can allow you to take a proactive approach to supporting them and providing care. Aging parents may demonstrate subtle signs of impacted well-being, and being able to identify these signs early can help you look into caregiving services and other support options before they become an urgent need.

Recognizing When Your Aging Parent Needs Help

Recognizing early signs that your elderly parent needs help is key to ensuring their health and safety. Being able to see if your older loved one is struggling with daily tasks or showing other signs that their ability to manage daily living is declining lets you open honest communication about needs and proactively support your aging loved one.

Here are 10 signs your elderly parent may need help.

1. Changes in Physical Health

Declining health, such as new health issues or failure to manage an existing chronic condition, can demonstrate a need for additional assistance. Common signs can include being sick more often than normal, struggling with unmanaged pain or inflammation or being tired and fatigued all the time. Sudden weight loss and problems sleeping could also be indicative of changing physical health.

2. Increased Forgetfulness and Cognitive Decline

If your elderly parent demonstrates signs of potential dementia or other cognitive issues, it may be time to consider additional support, including memory care. Forgetting to eat, leaving appliances on in the home without meaning to, struggling to remember appointments or losing words often when conversing are some signs of this type of issue.

3. Difficulty Managing Household Tasks

Signs your parent may need more help include having difficulty managing daily tasks. An unkempt living space, dirty clothes, past-due bills or lack of healthy groceries in the home can all indicate that daily assistance may be needed.

4. Decline in Personal Hygiene

Unkempt or unwashed hair, uncut or dirty fingernails, failing to get dressed or to change out of the same clothing for several days and body odor that comes from not showering or bathing regularly are potential signs that older adults may need some assistance. This is especially true when these are abnormal habits for the person in question.

5. Mobility Issues and Increased Falls

Unexplained bruises or injuries that might have come from frequent falls or other mobility accidents can indicate a need for additional support. If your loved one tends to sit in a chair for extended periods of time, or not be able to handle daily tasks like grocery shopping, it can be an indication that they’re dealing with mobility issues.

6. Emotional and Mental Health Changes

Mental health issues, including anxiety, depression or withdrawal from activities that used to be enjoyable, can be signs your parent needs help. It may be important to consider whether they’re able to get the socialization they need to be healthy via existing neighborhood groups or if more support is required.

7. Poor Nutrition and Eating Habits

If your parent is having difficulty preparing meals or keeping healthy food in the house, it can indicate a need for assistance. Some signs to look for include weight loss, an empty refrigerator or the presence of spoiled or expired food on a regular basis.

8. Medication Mismanagement

Medication management can be a challenge for adults who are dealing with cognitive issues. Missing doses, incorrectly using medications, mixing up pills or other confusion around medication can signal a need for help.

9. Unexplained Financial Issues

Late payments, unopened and unpaid bills piling up in the mailbox or on a desk in the house or unusual spending can indicate an older adult may need assistance in managing finances.

10. Social Isolation or Loss of Interest in Activities

If someone is no longer interested in hobbies they once enjoyed or stops being social when they were previously, it can be a sign that they need some outside assistance.

How to Help Your Aging Parents When You Notice These Signs

If you notice signs that your aging parents need some help, act proactively to support them in seeking the right support for their physical and emotional needs.

Developing a Plan to Care for Your Parents

Talk to your parents honestly and openly about the type of personal care and other support they may need to improve their safety and health. Create a plan to help them connect with these resources, including working with other family members to provide support and care.

Support for Aging Parents: Finding the Right Care Options

Consider what care levels might be right for your parents:

• In-home care offers support while helping your parent maintain independence.
• Assisted living may be right if your parent needs support with activities of daily living.
• Memory care is helpful for those experiencing memory issues.
• Respite care offers temporary support while family caregivers rest or handle other obligations.

Supporting Aging Parents Emotionally

Throughout the process, continue to support your parents emotionally and ensure they know you’re on their side.

Taking the First Steps Toward Supporting Your Aging Parents

For more information, call Abbey Manor at 410-620-4126 or schedule a tour.