15 Signs Your Aging Parent Needs Help Now

How would you know if your aging parent needs help? A few telltale signs give a strong indication of whether or not you need to step in and assist. Of course, some signs may be more obvious than others. We’ve listed the most frequently reported by professionals to help you determine whether the time is right to intervene and help your aging parent make a move to a longer-term care community.

Remember, no one knows your aging parent better than you, so you’ll be in the best position to judge what is normal behavior and what falls outside the norm. The signs listed below merely provide a thorough guideline for determining the need to help your aging parent.

1. Forgetting to pay bills on time

If collection agencies are starting to bang on the door, and the mailbox is full of late payment notices or penalties due to missed payments, it may signify that your aging parent needs help.

2. Changes in mood or extreme mood swings

Are your parents acting differently toward you, friends, or even strangers? Have they started expressing depressive behavior and having generally low levels of energy? Have you noticed them not smiling like they used to?

3. Cluttered, dirty, or disorganized house

Is the home starting to appear different or unrecognizable? Are appliances and fixtures starting to break without getting the necessary repairs? Have they stopped cooking meals altogether due to kitchen appliances not working anymore? Have they started neglecting to maintain smoke alarms or broken light bulbs in and around the home?

4. Uncertainty when performing familiar and simple tasks

If everyday tasks such as doing the laundry or packing the dishwasher are falling to the wayside, it may signify that your aging parent needs help.

5. Physical appearance is starting to deteriorate

Is your aging parent regularly neglecting their appearance? Are their clothes starting to look tattered and dirty?

6. Keeping groceries long after the expiry date

Is expired food or products causing the house or fridge to smell?

7. Increased forgetfulness

Are they constantly searching for misplaced keys, a wallet, or any other items of importance? Have they started missing important appointments? Are they frequently rescheduling appointments, or do they merely not pitch?

8. Infrequent or improper medication management

Are you noticing full bottles of prescription pills? Are they complaining of symptoms due to not taking chronic medication as prescribed?

9. Leaving house or yard maintenance unattended

Has the trash started piling up? Have the grass or weeds started growing uncontrollably? Have neighbors complained about the trash smelling or attracting rodents?

10. Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed

Can they recall the last time they participated in an activity they loved?

11. Poor eating habits or sudden weight loss

Are they eating considerably less or consuming only fast food or prepackaged meals?

12. Neglecting personal hygiene

Have you noticed an obvious body odor or bad breath? Are their nails neat and clean? Are they washing and combing their hair frequently?

13. Trouble getting up from a seated position

Are you observing strain when your aging parent needs to get in or out of a chair, the bath, or the car? This could be a more obvious sign that your aging parent needs help.

14. Unexplained bruises or frequent injuries

Are they exhibiting bruises that seem to have no logical explanation, or are you noticing more falls or injuries of late?

15. Noticeable damage or dents to their car

Are fender benders or minor scratches and bumps appearing more often on their car’s exterior? Have you noticed an increase in minor accidents? Do they seem to brush issues of driving safety off, or do they take this topic seriously?

These are just a few signs that could indicate that your aging parent needs help. Whether this means having the tough conversation about potentially moving to a longer-term care community or simply getting them to admit that they need professional help if you’re at a loss of what your next step needs to be, remember that you can reach out to us at Options for Senior Living for a complimentary consultation with one of our local experts. We provide advice, guidance, and even a trusted referral to ensure you have complete peace of mind that your senior loved one is receiving the care and attention they deserve.

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Based on 37 reviews

Sharon Boivin

2022-07-21

We needed immediate assistance with placing our family member into assisted living. The staff was amazing! Kim took down all the information and put us in touch with Tammy. She was so fast but yet very efficient in getting some tours set up right away. The process was so easy and effortless. We are so pleased! If you need help finding just the right place for your loved one, I highly recommend using Options for Senior Living. Both Tammy and Kim followed up with us to be sure everything went smoothly after placement. Thanks again Ladies for all your help!

Daniel Tinlin

2022-07-16

This is an outstanding placement service and they have gone above and beyond to assist me with appropriate placements for my mother as her needs changed. I highly recommend them.

Diane Sepanski

2022-07-08

This is an essential service and so well done. Thank you so much.

Dave Murray

2022-07-07

Working with Erica Martinez was amazing. She was extremely knowledgeable and quickly provided us with numerous options explaining the benefits of each. We picked a private room in a group home at a reasonable price. Prior to talking to her we were picturing having to go to the dreaded Skilled Nursing Homes... I am more than pleased and highly recommend you ask for her by name. Thank You Erica!!

Tracy Martens

2022-07-06

I wanted to take the time to tell you that Amanda is a great addition to the Options for Senior Living Team, I met her at a lunch and learn today at the doctors office I work for and she was very professional and knowledgeable and cannot wait to work more closely with her.

Gregory Baisden

2022-06-30

Ramie provided assistance in the best possible way: expertly knowledgeable, expertly communicative, abundantly kind, entirely pleasant, deeply personable. All of these qualities joined with efficiency, responsiveness, and patience during a process made trying and difficult by health concerns and, admittedly, a fussy primary client, assured us an excellent result. We bless her heart, and thank heaven for her guidance, both crucial to our satisfaction.

Jaime Ryum

2022-06-30

We have been blessed to work with Erica and have her help our patients find placement. She has such a kind heart and goes above and beyond!

Pat Fox (Nanny)

2022-06-10

I needed help finding my stepmom a better safer living option when her dementia/alzheimers accelerated rapidly. Suncrest Hospice group recommended and put me in touch with Erica. Once I spoke with her about what I thought we should look for it was only a couple of days before she had a list of places for us to see. We found a great one in our first day! Erica has continued to provide support which I find invaluable. Highly recommend at least calling her and explaining your concerns for your loved one(s). You won't be disappointed!

dennis clair

2022-05-23

Scott helped my brother in law during an extremely difficult situation. Within a few days, Scott located the care facility, set up conference calls with the facility, the hospital and my brother on law to make sure everyone was satisfied the facility she was being placed met her needs. Scott and his team are amazing and there is no way we could have done this without him. Thank you so much!!