It’s not always a dramatic event like a fall that signals the need for care. Often, the signs are subtle and accumulate over time. Here are key indicators that your aging parent might need some extra support at home.
1. Changes in Personal Appearance
Are they wearing the same clothes for days? Is their grooming slipping? Unkempt hair or body odor can be signs that bathing or doing laundry has become physically difficult or unsafe.
2. The State of the Home
Look around the house. Is there spoiled food in the fridge? Are bills piling up unpaid? Is the house more cluttered or dirty than usual? These can be signs of cognitive decline or physical limitations.
3. Weight Loss
Unexplained weight loss can indicate they are forgetting to eat, losing interest in food, or finding it too difficult to cook and shop for groceries.
4. Mobility Issues
Watch how they move. Do they have trouble getting up from a chair? Are they holding onto furniture as they walk? Unsteady gait is a major risk factor for falls.
5. Social Withdrawal
If a once-social parent stops going to church, club meetings, or seeing friends, they might be embarrassed by their limitations or suffering from depression.
Recognizing these signs early allows you to introduce care gradually, preserving their independence for longer while ensuring their safety.
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