As your parents start to age, you may start to notice some elderly signs of decline. Aging often comes with changes that cause difficulties in a senior’s overall lifestyle and health. Some factors that may affect their lifestyle causing them to require assistance include a recent medical diagnosis, a recent surgery or injury, managing multiple chronic health conditions, or general difficulties with daily living activities as they age.
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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:
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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.
Our advisors help 300,000 families each year find the right senior care for their loved ones.
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.
10 common warning signs your aging parent needs help
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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