Whether it’s noticing food that should be refrigerated has been left out for days or the fact that they are wearing the same dirty clothes day after day, there can be specific indicators that an aging parent needs help. No one likes to lose their autonomy, so care needs to be taken with these conversations. The following is a list of signs that our loved one struggles to maintain independence.
Neglected housekeeping duties or home repairs
Have they stopped cooking for themselves or consuming large amounts of fast food/prepackaged foods? Are there light bulbs that need replacing or smoke alarms not attended to?
Leaving the house or yard maintenance unattended
Is that once well-manicured lawn not mowed, or is the flower/vegetable garden full of weeds? Is there garbage piling up outside?
Wearing dishevelled or tattered clothing
Are they neglecting their appearance or wearing clothes that are dirty or torn?
Poor personal hygiene
Do they have body odour, bad breath or unable to manage oral and/or nail care? Are they washing their hair or shaving?
Improper medication management
Is medication located in a designated area or strewn about the home? Are there full prescription medicine bottles, or do you see they didn’t use the blister packs correctly?
Keeping expired groceries
Does the fridge or house have a foul smell? Is there mouldy food on the counter or in the refrigerator?
Confusion about daily tasks
Is your loved one unsure about how to complete daily chores/tasks such as washing their dishes or doing the laundry?
Mishandling of financial responsibilities
Forgetting to pay their bills or paying them late, incurring late fees.
Missing important appointments
Do they frequently need to reschedule their appointments or miss them altogether?
Forgetfulness
Do they lose or misplace their keys, wallets or other essential items?
Changes in mood
Are they withdrawn, have mood swings, or act differently to you, friends, or strangers?
Feeling Depressed or having little to no energy
Do they smile or laugh like they used to? Is there a change in their demeanour?
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies they once enjoyed
When was the last time they did something they loved? For example, they are no longer an avid reader or stopped their daily walking routine.
Weight loss or poor dieting habits
Do they have irregular eating times? Are they skipping meals or eating much less? Is there an increase in their consumption of fast food or prepackaged snacks?
Trouble getting up from a seated position
Are they struggling to sit/stand or staggering forward once they get up?
Frequent injuries or bruises
Are you noticing frequent bruises, scratches or cuts? Do they have an explanation for these injuries?
Unexplained dents or damage to their car
Are they getting into fender benders or have scratches on their car? Are the tires worn from scraping curbs? Are you concerned with the speed of their driving or worried that they are not paying attention when driving?