10 Signs Your Elderly Parent Needs Help

No one knows your parents or loved ones like you do — something unusual for them may be an everyday situation in another home. However, it’s still helpful to learn common warning signs that may signal trouble and the need for assistance.

Whether you’re visiting your parent in person or catching up via video chat, here’s how to know when your elderly parents need help:

1. Poor hygiene. You might notice your aging parent may not be showering, brushing their teeth, or doing laundry. They may also have given up on appearances by wearing dirty or torn clothing, not brushing their hair, etc.
2. A messy or disorganized house. You may find piled up dishes in the sink, clothes scattered around the house, a dirty bathroom, bags of trash not being taken out, or an unruly yard.
3. Poorly maintained house. You may find smoke detectors without batteries, expired fire extinguishers, broken appliances, tangled wires, and other issues that may pose danger.
4. Mismanaged finances. Your mom or dad may forget to pay bills on time, receive late payment notices, or have bounced checks.
5. Poorly maintained car. You may see new dents or scratches on their car from accidents. They may also forget to take their car to the shop for regular maintenance or issues that come up.
6. Unhealthy eating habits. You may notice they don’t keep fresh groceries around, eat food that’s expired, or cook less. They may also be experiencing a change in appetite, causing an unhealthy amount of weight loss or gain.
7. Mood changes or swings. You may see that your mom or dad acts differently towards you or others. You may also see some signs of depression, loneliness, or a lack of interest in hobbies and activities they used to enjoy.
8. Forgetfulness or confusion. They may forget to take their medications, refill their prescriptions on time, or go to doctors’ appointments. They may also find themselves confused when doing routine tasks like grocery shopping, laundry, driving, or using a cell phone.
9. Trouble getting up. Your aging parent may struggle when they sit or get up.
10. Unexplained bruises or injuries. You may see bruises, scratches, cuts, or signs of limping due to accidents or falls around the house.

Let our care assessment guide you

All of these are common signs of an elderly person declining. If you start to notice any of these elderly decline signs in your aging parent, it may be helpful to write down some concerns. You can then talk to your siblings or other relatives to figure out how to tell your elderly parent they need help.

It’s crucial to be thoughtful and careful when approaching this conversation with a parent, because aging signs are sometimes hard to accept due to feelings of loss or incompetence. To make the topic easier, you should look into conversational tips on how to tell an elderly parent they need help. Additionally, you should make sure they’re included in any discussion of future care options.

Talk with a Senior Living Advisor

The aging process looks different for everyone, but taking proactive steps in your loved one’s care can have a positive impact on their overall health and wellness.

If your mom or dad only requires help with household chores, senior nutrition, and routine errands, you may be able to step in and help them out. If they’re seeking additional companionship in addition to assistance with daily chores, then they may benefit from independent living or home care.

However, if your loved one’s in need of more hands-on assistance throughout the day, assisted living or a care home may be a better fit.

Sometimes recognizing the initial signs is the biggest hurdle, but once you’ve realized a parent needs help, there are resources available to make the next steps as smooth as possible. It’s also important to not let guilt get in the way of getting your senior loved one the long-term care they need.

For instance, A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors are available to help you navigate care options for your aging loved one. They can help you compare the care options listed above and identify potential senior living communities that meet your loved one’s budget, preferences, and care needs.