Signs a Parent Needs More Help at Home
Common signs include unopened mail or unpaid bills, spoiled food in the fridge, missed medications, weight loss, new dents on the car, changes in hygiene or housekeeping, falls or unexplained bruises, and pulling away from activities they used to enjoy. One sign alone may not mean much. A pattern is worth a conversation.
What should you look for?
Around the house
Piled-up mail, unpaid bills, or late notices
Expired or spoiled food
A home that’s less tidy than usual
Health and daily routines
Missed or doubled medications
Weight loss or skipped meals
Falls, bruises, or trouble with stairs
Changes in personal hygiene
Driving, memory, and mood
New dents or scrapes on the car
Repeating questions or missing appointments
Withdrawing from friends or activities
What should you do if you notice signs?
Raise it with respect and curiosity, not conclusions. Ask how things are going and what feels harder lately. Involve their doctor, and consider a professional assessment from an aging life care professional. Starting small, like a few hours of help a week, can be easier to accept than a big change.
Where can you find help?
Your parent’s Area Agency on Aging can connect you to local services such as meals, transportation, and in-home help. Find it through the Eldercare Locator. Before arranging paid care, see Questions to Ask Before Hiring In-Home Care.
Who pays for help at home?
Staying Power is a licensed insurance agency that helps people plan for their own care, including those who are helping a parent now.
Medicare doesn’t cover ongoing custodial care. See Does Medicare Cover Long-Term Care?. Watching a parent go through this is often what prompts people to plan for themselves. Get started to see what care costs and how to fund it.
Frequently asked questions
When should a parent stop living alone?
It depends on safety. A doctor or aging life care professional can assess whether more help at home could keep living alone workable.
How do I bring it up without upsetting them?
Lead with questions and focus on what they want. See How to Talk to Your Parents About Long-Term Care.
