As our loved ones age, it is natural for them to experience changes in their physical and mental abilities. However, some signs may indicate that our parents need more help than they are letting on.
Subtle shifts in their mobility, personal hygiene, or memory can be early warning signs that they need some additional support. Recognizing these signs early can prevent bigger issues down the road and ensure your loved one continues to live as safely, comfortably, and independently as possible.
6 Indicators that Your Senior Parent Might Need Help
Here are six key signs that an aging parent or loved one may need additional help or care:
1. Decline in Personal Hygiene
If you begin to notice that your parent’s personal hygiene has worsened, they might require additional help with personal care. Some signs that your loved one may be having difficulty managing personal hygiene include:
- Noticeable body odor
- Unkempt appearance
- Wearing the same clothes repeatedly
- Wearing clothes that look dirty
- Not doing laundry frequently
- Taking fewer showers or baths
- Untrimmed hair and fingernails
Getting help: At an assisted living community, seniors receive assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) where needed, including grooming, bathing, and dressing. An in-home caregiver can also support seniors with daily activities and personal care depending on their needs. These services will enhance your loved one’s personal hygiene and therefore improve their comfort, self-esteem, and quality of life.
2. Mobility or Balance Issues
As we age, we often experience reduced physical strength, balance issues, and the need for mobility aids. When a senior’s mobility and balance decline, living at home – especially alone – becomes a major fall risk. In addition, some homes are not built to accommodate mobility aids like walkers and wheelchairs. Proper lighting and excess furniture and clutter in the home can make the home risky for seniors, as well.
Some signs of mobility and balance challenges in seniors include:
- Difficulty walking or moving around the house
- Frequent falls
- Inexplicable bruises
- Dizziness
- Difficulty on stairs
- Difficulty sitting or standing up
Getting help: When seniors have a major risk of falling, it might be time to consider assisted living in order to maintain safety and prevent serious injuries. At assisted living communities, staff members are available 24/7 in case of an emergency. Also, rooms, hallways, and common areas are specifically built to be accessible with wheelchairs, walkers, or scooters. Excess clutter is eliminated and proper lighting is installed to prevent falls as much as possible. Other options include making home modifications that support accessibility and prevent falls or injuries.
3. Neglected Household Maintenance
With age, we often start to have a harder time maintaining our homes. This could be due to a number of reasons like physical and mobility challenges, cognitive issues, or just having too big of a space to manage.
Some signs that a senior is having difficulty keeping up with home maintenance and clutter include:
- Messy spaces that were once clean
- Excess clutter
- Broken appliances and furniture
- Failing to keep up with chores
- Neglected yard work
- Uncleaned areas of the home
- Unopened mail
- Unpaid bills
Getting help: One major benefit of senior living communities is that home maintenance like repairs, housekeeping, and laundry are included in the monthly fee. Seniors no longer have to worry about cleaning and chores and can instead focus on relaxing, spending time with friends, and pursuing hobbies. Most seniors revel in this maintenance-free lifestyle as they enter their later years.
4. Unexplained Weight Changes or Poor Nutrition
Proper nutrition is vital for health and well-being as we age – but keeping up with cooking and following nutritional guidelines can be difficult for seniors. Some signs your senior loved one may be struggling with grocery shopping, prepare food, remembering to eat, or overeating include:
- Losing or gaining a significant amount of weight
- Skipping meals
- Refrigerator and pantry filled with expired or minimal food
- Low energy and lethargy
- Only eating foods with low nutritional value
Getting help: Most senior living communities provide three chef-prepared meals a day plus snacks. They also accommodate any specific diets or dietary restrictions residents follow, including low salt, diabetic, kosher, low sugar, gluten free, low cholesterol, and others. Having healthy meals prepared for your loved one every day guarantees they are getting the nourishment they need to thrive.
5. Memory Problems or Confusion
If your parent is showing signs of increased forgetfulness or personality changes, it could mean they are experiencing cognitive decline or early dementia. Some signs of memory issues and early dementia can include:
- Missing appointments
- Leaving appliances on
- Frequently misplacing items
- Confusion
- Getting lost in once-familiar places
- Changes in mood
- Difficulty planning or problem solving
- Challenges with language or speaking
Getting help: If any of these symptoms are present, it is best to consult a doctor on what to do next. One option might be a memory care facility, which is a type of community specifically for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other cognitive conditions. Memory care is especially beneficial for conditions that worsen over time and become challenging for a family caregiver or spouse to handle alone.
Read our guide for preventing Alzheimer’s and dementia here.
6. Social Isolation
Loneliness and social isolation are very common among seniors, especially those who live alone or far away from family and friends. Being unable to drive or access transportation also increases the risk of loneliness.
Lack of social interaction is extremely detrimental for seniors. It can cause anxiety, depression, lowered physical activity, cognitive decline, and decreased longevity.
Some signs of social isolation in seniors include:
- Withdrawing from friends
- Avoiding events and social gatherings
- Not participating in activities they once enjoyed
Getting help: Some of the biggest benefits of a senior living community are the constant opportunities for socialization. Interacting with others keeps the brain sharp and the body active. It also reduces stress, improves mood, lowers blood pressure, and actually increases lifespan.
Senior living communities offer a daily schedule of activities and events available to residents – all of which are included in their monthly rent. Some possible activities include gardening club, pet therapy, walking groups, card games, lectures, arts and crafts, musical performances, movies, holiday parties and more! All of these activities are designed to be senior-friendly and are tailored to residents’ preferences.
What To Do When Your Aging Parent Needs Additional Care
If you notice several of these signs, your aging parent might need a higher level of care. What should you do now?
Here are some steps to take if you think your parent needs additional care:
- Have a conversation with your loved one. Though it can be uncomfortable, it is important to discuss what you’ve noticed with your parent. That way, you can better understand the whole situation and get their input on any needs or concerns they may have. Plus, involving your parent in the process gives them more ownership and makes the situation feel like less of an “attack” and more of a team effort.
- Talk to a doctor. Consult a medical professional about any health concerns you have, like increased forgetfulness or excess weight loss. From there, a doctor might suggest medical evaluations, treatment plans, or referrals to other medical practices.
- Discuss long-term care options. The first decision to make is whether your parent wants to age in place at home or is interested in moving to a senior living community. It is also important to evaluate your loved one’s finances and determine what they can afford, and the best way to pay for care. The following are long-term care options you and your parent can explore. Click on each item to learn more about it:
- Independent living communities
- Assisted living communities
- Memory care facilities
- CCRCs
- Skilled nursing facilities/nursing homes
- In-home care/aging in place
- Involve a professional. If you are not sure what your parent’s next step should be, it is always wise to consult a professional. An expert senior living advisor like those at Florida Senior Consulting Advisors can help you decide what type of senior care would be best for your loved one, whether it is senior living or in-home care. Consulting a senior advisor is a great way to make more informed decisions and feel confident about your loved one’s care.
Conclusion
There are numerous signs that your aging parent might need additional care, from increased memory issues to difficulty maintaining personal hygiene and home upkeep.
If you notice several of these signs, it is best to start looking into next steps sooner rather than later. After all, the best time to plan long-term care is before you need it. Being proactive rather than reactive allows your parent to have plenty of options, make decisions, and start planning before an illness, injury, or other emergency occurs.
If you need guidance on how to navigate the senior living process or identify the right type of care for your loved one, reach out to Senior Consulting Advisors. Our local experts will take the time to listen to your situation, provide you with options, accompany you on tours, and advocate for your loved one’s care every step of the way. Our services are at no extra cost to you.
To speak to an expert senior advisor in your area, call us at (800) 969-7176 or visit SeniorConsultingAdvisor.com.
