10 Signs that Your Aging Parent Needs Help at Home 

15 Jun 10 Signs that Your Aging Parent Needs Help at Home 

Hey, there.  So during your recent visit, you noticed that something was a little different with Mom/Dad and you’re not quite sure if it’s something that you should be concerned with immediately or if it can wait until your next visit. You’re tossing back and forth of whether or not they will be safe at home until your next visit.

I won’t bore you with the science behind each and everything that may be occurring but I would like to give you 10 quick signs that your aging parent may need assistance at home.  Let’s dive in.

1. Forgetfulness

Are they forgetting whether or not they have taken their medications? Are they repeating themselves by sharing with you the same stories over and over again? Did you notice any late or past due bills or even lots of unopened mail that is uncharacteristic of them?  Any missed appointments with their physicians, hair stylists, or barber? Assistance or supervision, even temporarily is recommended.

2.Increased Isolation/Decreased Socialization 

Has Mom decreased her social activities?  Is she no longer going out with friends, playing cards with the neighbors, going to church or her volunteering activities? Has Dad stopped playing golf,  going fishing, or having breakfast with the guys? Concerns of physical impairments including muscle weakness, balance, and fear of falls raise an alert here as well as concerns for possible depression or loneliness.

3.Difficulty Getting Around

Have you noticed your parent having difficulty getting in and out of chairs? Trouble getting on and off commodes or in and out of the car?  Are they becoming unsteady on their feet? Do they complain of dizziness? Have they suddenly started cruising along their furniture or holding onto others for balance? Additional assistance or supervision may be needed to decrease risk for falls and restore independence.

4.Unusual Clutter

Were you a little taken aback that the lawn was overgrown when you pulled into the drive? Were their multiple newspapers in the drive? Was the mailbox filled with mail that looked as it had been there for awhile?  Did you notice an abnormal amount of dirty dishes? Lots visible of dust or a dirty bathroom?

There’s a chance that your parents may be losing interest in their activities or even moreso, they have become too weak to keep up with it all.  Additional assistance may be needed.

5.Poor Hygiene 

Are you used to seeing Mom looking more “put together,” in comparison to your last visit?  Did Dad smell of urine and made you question the last time that he may have possibly had a shower?  Additional assistance may be needed.

6.Dehydration/Weight Loss

Notable signs of dehydration include dry mouth, increased thirst, headache, dry skin, dizziness, fatigue, and decreased urine output to name a few.  Notice any of these? Has Mom or dad lost weight? Are their clothes hanging off their bodies? These are all signs to consider for assistance.

7.Personality Changes; Particularly in the Evening

Does Dad become more agitated in the evenings? Does Mom seem more confused?  Have you notice that your parent has a desire to wander or has hallucinations?

8.Increased Skin Lesions

Did you notice any burns, bruises, or scratches? Is it possible that Dad may have fallen and not reported it? Could Mom have accidentally banged her leg or arm on the wall or door frame? Is it possible that that either parent may have forgotten that the stove was on and burned their hand?

9.Increased Traffic Violations 

Hear me out here. This was actually one of the first signs that we saw with both my maternal grandfather and my father in law. Within a short time span of 60 days, my FIL was in two accidents and neither were his fault.  However, he has always been a really good driver but his defensive driving skills were beginning to fail.

As for my grandfather, he had one instance in which he forgot where he was and another where he accidently turned into traffic on what was thankfully a non-busy road.  If you notice a change of driving patterns in your parents, additional assistance/supervision may be needed.

10. Increased or Frequent Hospital Visits

Have you received more calls regarding your parent being in the hospital?  There’s a slight chance that their medical condition may have exacerbated, they may have forgotten to take their medications, or other things may be going on.  Having someone in the home to monitor any day-to-day or weekly changes may be beneficial for both proper treatment as well as preventative care.

If you’ve noticed any of these changes, notify their physician and let’s hop on a call and create a plan of action for you and your loved one. Remember, you don’t have to do it all. We can help you find reputable companies in your area as well as discuss which options are covered by insurance as well as which options are private pay.

-We’re here for you.