10 Signs Your Elderly Parent May Need More Assistance

As your elderly parent ages, you may start to notice signs that indicate they need more help with their daily routine. These signs can range from minor changes in behavior to more noticeable difficulties in managing their health, finances, or household. While each person’s decline may look different, it’s essential to be aware of the early indicators that your loved one may need extra care.

In this article, we explore common signs that may suggest your elderly parent requires more assistance. Recognizing these early can help prevent further complications and ensure your parent remains as healthy and independent as possible.

Key Takeaways

• Spoiled food in the fridge or a cluttered home may signal forgetfulness or memory issues, possibly related to early dementia.

• Physical limitations and mobility problems can make it difficult for seniors to manage tasks around the house, leading to unsafe living conditions.

• Medication mismanagement, especially with blood pressure or blood-thinning medications, can lead to serious health risks.

• Sudden mood swings or frequent falls should prompt a visit to the doctor.

1. Mismanaged Medications: A Growing Concern

For seniors, managing multiple medications can become increasingly difficult, especially if they have a complex health regimen. Seniors taking several prescriptions often face higher risks of medication errors, which can lead to severe health complications. In fact, one-third of adults in their 60s and 70s take five or more medications regularly. The complexity of managing these medications can lead to missed doses, incorrect dosages, or confusion about what’s being taken and when.

Case Study: Janet's mother, in her 80s, had difficulty managing her blood pressure medication, often leaving pills on the floor. Despite repeated visits to the doctor, she had to go to the hospital multiple times due to incorrect medication intake. Janet realized that her mother’s cognitive decline was contributing to her medication mismanagement.

Some red flags that your parent isn’t taking medications correctly include:

• Pills found on the floor or in unexpected places.

• Taking incorrect doses, especially after a recent prescription update.

• Expired or outdated medications in the house.

• An unorganized pill organizer or missed medication refills.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to seek help to prevent further health issues. AmoryCare can assist with setting up medication reminders and offer in-home support to ensure your loved one is following the prescribed regimen.

2. Poor Hygiene: A Hidden Sign of Decline

Neglecting hygiene can be a sign of physical limitations, mental decline, or depression. If your parent is no longer able to manage daily self-care routines, such as bathing or grooming, it can lead to more serious health concerns, including infections.

Example: Sharon noticed her father, who had Parkinson’s disease, had stopped showering regularly. Upon further evaluation, she discovered that his cognitive decline was affecting his ability to remember personal care tasks. Sharon arranged for a caregiver to assist with daily hygiene, which greatly improved her father’s health and comfort.

Some common hygiene issues include:

• Body odor, dirty clothes, or neglected personal grooming.

• Foot care neglect, especially toenail trimming, which can lead to painful conditions.

• Not managing incontinence hygiene, leading to skin breakdowns or UTIs.

Caregiver Tip: Schedule regular appointments with a podiatrist or nurse to assist with specialized foot care, particularly if your parent has diabetes or mobility issues.

3. A Messy Home: A Clear Indicator of Decline

A messy or unsafe home can be a strong indicator that your parent needs assistance. Seniors often find it difficult to maintain a clean living space, especially if they are dealing with mobility issues or dementia.

Example: When Emily visited her elderly father, she found spoiled food in the fridge and laundry piling up. His limited mobility and memory loss were preventing him from managing these tasks. Emily arranged for a housekeeping service and scheduled daily check-ins to ensure he was living in a clean and safe environment.

Signs that your loved one may need help maintaining their home include:

• Odors or stains on furniture from unmanaged incontinence.

• Spoiled food in the fridge, possibly due to memory loss.

• Piled-up laundry, or conversely, no laundry to do, suggesting your parent wears the same clothes repeatedly.

• Untidy or cluttered spaces that may present fall hazards.

If you’re concerned about cleanliness or hygiene, consider homemaking services to help maintain your loved one’s environment.

4. Financial Mismanagement: A Growing Red Flag

If your elderly parent is consistently forgetting to pay bills or regularly overdrawing accounts, this could be a sign of memory loss or dementia. For seniors with limited mobility or arthritis, managing finances can become overwhelming. Additionally, financial mismanagement can lead to serious problems such as utility disconnections or accumulating debt.

Example: Claire noticed that her mother was missing bill payments and struggling with account management. Claire set up automatic payments and helped her mother organize her finances, preventing any further issues. However, if memory loss is suspected, additional measures such as Power of Attorney (POA) may be necessary.

Signs of financial mismanagement include:

• Bills piling up and calls from collections agencies.

• Difficulty remembering financial obligations.

• Overdrawing accounts or bouncing checks.

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If your loved one struggles with finances, help them set up a budgeting system or work with an attorney to establish POA for managing their financial affairs.

5. Unsafe Driving: The Risk of Declining Reflexes

As seniors age, they may begin to experience declining reflexes or impaired vision, making driving unsafe. New dents or scratches on the car can indicate that your loved one is having difficulty driving. It can be a delicate subject, but addressing it early can prevent serious accidents.

Example: Mark’s grandmother was showing signs of memory loss and was reluctant to stop driving. Mark discussed the matter with her doctor, who recommended that she give up driving for her safety. Mark gently helped her transition by explaining the high cost of insurance and the inconvenience of parking fees.

If your parent is struggling with driving, consider offering alternatives such as ride-sharing services or arranging for a trusted driver to take them to appointments.

6. Unhealthy Eating Habits: A Serious Health Concern

Poor nutrition is a significant concern for seniors. Signs that your loved one is not eating properly can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, or worsening health conditions.

Example: Linda noticed that her father, who had diabetes, was not cooking nutritious meals. Instead, he was relying on processed foods, which were not suitable for his condition. Linda worked with a meal delivery service and coordinated with her father’s doctor to ensure he received the proper nutrition.

Signs of unhealthy eating habits include:

• Spoiled food in the fridge or pantry.

• Unexplained weight loss or gain.

• Relying on fast food instead of cooking fresh meals.

Consider meal delivery services or grocery assistance to ensure your loved one has access to healthy food.

7. Mood Changes or Mood Swings: A Symptom of a Deeper Issue

Sudden changes in mood or personality can indicate underlying health issues such as depression, medication reactions, or the early stages of dementia. These changes should never be ignored, as they can affect your loved one’s overall health and well-being.

Example: Tina noticed her mother’s mood fluctuating dramatically after a change in her medication. A visit to the doctor confirmed that the medication was affecting her mother’s mood. After adjusting the prescription, Tina saw a noticeable improvement.

8. Forgetfulness or Confusion: A Sign of Cognitive Decline

While occasional forgetfulness is common, consistent memory loss—such as forgetting appointments, taking longer to complete tasks, or getting lost in familiar places—can indicate early dementia.

Caregiver Tip: Keep a record of concerning behaviors and share this information with your loved one’s doctor for a cognitive assessment.

9. Mobility Issues: Declining Physical Abilities

If your loved one is struggling with balance, walking, or standing up from a chair, it could be a sign of declining mobility. These issues can significantly affect their independence.

Caregiver Tip: Removing fall hazards from the home, such as rugs, and arranging for physical therapy can help improve balance and mobility.

10. Unexplained Bruises or Injuries: The Need for Immediate Attention

Frequent bruises or unexplained injuries are often a sign that your loved one may be falling or injuring themselves in some way. If you notice skin tears or bruising, it’s essential to investigate further and, if necessary, report any signs of elder abuse.

How AmoryCare Can Help

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, it's time to consider professional in-home care. AmoryCare offers tailored services to meet your loved one’s needs. Whether through personal care assistance, medication management, or mobility support, we provide the help your family needs.

Contact AmoryCare today to arrange a free care assessment and learn more about how we can help your loved one.