Signs That Your Elderly Parents Need Help at Home, pt. 1

Watching your elderly parents go through health issues as they age can be difficult. You worry about them and want the best for them. You might live in the same city and see them frequently or you live in a state far away. Keep alert when you visit to help determine whether they would benefit from assistance with household tasks and other activities of daily living.

Where to look for signs? There may be clues in several areas of the home that may signify help is needed.

Here are some specific areas to pay attention to.

— The kitchen is a good place to start. If expired food is in the fridge and pantry, it may indicate that your parent isn’t eating right or is having trouble managing grocery shopping. Are there dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter? Are crumbs littering the floor? Are there burned-out overhead lights? Is the trash can overflowing? Any of these could be signs that your elderly parent is overwhelmed and unable to keep up with household tasks.

— Bathrooms can reveal several things. Is there clutter on the countertop? Are there dirty towels and clothing on the floor? Does it appear that the toilet hasn’t been cleaned in a while? Is there grime and soap scum in the tub or shower? Are there outdated prescription bottles?

— What does the primary bedroom look like? Are there dirty clothes on the furniture and floor? Is the laundry hamper overflowing? Is the bedding dirty? Are there stacks of unopened mail on the desk? Credit card bills and investment notifications? Any of these issues may indicate that your aging parent is having difficulty keeping up with housekeeping and finances.

If you see your parents often, you may not notice small changes in their appearance. But you can notice changes in their weight or how their clothes fit and their overall hygiene. Are they wearing dirty clothes? Is their clothing buttoned and in good condition? Do their nails need trimming? Do they have bruises or injuries, perhaps from a fall?

All of the above are signs that your elders may no longer be able to manage the activities of daily living on their own.

JD Miller

About JD Miller

John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. Phone: (781) 378-2164 Email: [email protected] Website: https://homecarepartnersma.com
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