Are Your Aging Parents Coping Well? Signs They May Need Help
The holidays mean time with family, including your aging parents. Along with celebrating the holidays and enjoying good food, did you take note of how your elderly parents are doing?
Aging is a gradual process and it’s easy to miss small changes in behaviour. Of course, noticing these changes requires more time together than just the holidays. Being aware of key areas to watch out for can help you step in early and provide the support they need to stay safe and live comfortably.
This article highlights 5 important areas to consider when assessing your parents’ wellbeing:
Also read our blog Prepare for Aging Parents – 5 Ways to Get Ready so you can proactively be prepared to support your parents when they need help.
Aging is not 'lost youth' but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
1. Physical Health
Changes in physical health and poor judgment about self care are telltale signs that your parents may need assistance. Look out for these red flags.
- Unexplained weight loss or gain could indicate poor diet, trouble preparing meals, or underlying health issues.
- Decline in self care such as infrequent medical appointments or not following a doctor’s instructions, as well as poor choices relating to activity or highly processed food.
- Frequent falls or injuries could mean decreased mobility, balance problems, low blood pressure, or hazards in the home.
- Neglected personal hygiene, such as wearing the same clothes repeatedly or not bathing regularly, poor grooming, all can signal a lack of energy or cognitive decline.
Paying attention to these signs is critical. Recognizing and providing support early, can avert serious and rapid decline. You may just need to schedule a home meal delivery service to address nutrition concerns, or order a fall detection device, or hire someone to check-in.
2. Cognitive Abilities
Watch for memory issues as that could mean the beginning of cognitive decline which can significantly impact your parents daily life. Look for things like:
- Confusion or forgetfulness, such as missing appointments, losing items, neglecting to open mail, or forgetting to take medications.
- Trouble with financial matters, including unpaid bills, unusual purchases, unfiled tax returns, or spending more than they can afford. Learn about our Professional Power of Attorney Services that provide help managing daily financial tasks.
- Difficulty with comprehension, such as not understanding conversations, not being able to follow the plot of a movie or remember characters, or repeating questions.
- Overwhelmed by routine tasks, like light housekeeping, grocery shopping, or consistently showing poor judgment in making decisions.
All of these issues can mean the beginning stages of dementia. With early detection and the proper diagnosis, you can help your parents get the right treatment and potentially slow down the progression of the disease.
3. Social Interaction
Social connections help provide emotional stability and a strong sense of community, both vital for overall wellbeing. Yet, older adults often begin to withdraw from social situations for a variety of reasons. Warning signs include:
- Infrequent or ceasing social connections, such as avoiding friends, family, or community events.
- Signs of loneliness or depression, behaviour changes like more frequent incidence of irritability, sadness, or loss of interest in hobbies.
- No longer leaving the house, which might be due to physical limitations, anxiety, fear of falling, or getting lost and finding themselves in unfamiliar surroundings.
No matter our age, we all need to have a purpose in life, a reason to get out of bed everyday. Social connection and engaging in activities that are fun and meaningful is essential to aging well and enhancing quality of life.
4. Home Environment Deterioration
Your parents’ living environment gives important clues on how they are coping with managing daily responsibilities. Look for:
- Unopened mail piling up, which could mean cheques not deposited, bills unpaid, important pension or CRA notices ignored.
- Clutter or unsanitary living conditions, such as spoiled food in the fridge, uncleaned pet bowls, dirty dishes piled up in the sink, or overflowing trash.
- Home repair issues, like broken appliances or home repairs, that they can no longer manage.
Not only do these issues pose a physical and financial threat to your parents, they’re an indicator that more serious underlying issues could be emerging that need to be addressed.
5. Emotional and Behavioral Changes
Have you noticed your parents’ behaviour has changed from the norm? Paying attention to shifts in mood or behaviour can help you identify depression or dementia. Signs like:
- Frequent irritability or agitation, which could be linked to frustration at not being able to complete a task, or fear of what the future brings.
- Apathy or low motivation is often linked to depression, boredom, lack of purpose, or low energy levels.
- Paranoia, anxiety, or irrational fears, all could be signs of cognitive issues or emotional distress.
Maintaining your mental health in older years takes determination and discipline. Your parents may need help to keep their social connections strong and stay emotionally stable.Talk to them about the importance of sharing their feelings with you or a therapist or life coach.
It Takes a Village
We often use the term “it takes a village” when speaking about raising children, but it applies just as well to caring for aging parents. Although it’s challenging now that the role of caregiver is reversed, frequent open communication can help you support them as their needs change.
If you notice any of the signs outlined in this article, be sure to approach your parents with empathy and understanding. Ask about their concerns and encourage them to share their needs and preferences.
Get other family members and close friends Involved and, if necessary, consult professionals like geriatricians or financial concierges to create a tailored support plan.
By staying observant and proactive, you can help your parents build a supportive care team so they can stay safe and maintain their wellbeing. Check out our blog “Retiring Solo – A Guide to Independent Retirement” to learn more about helping your parent or parents age well.
Did this article provide insight on the signs to pay attention to when assessing your parents wellbeing?
We’d love to hear if this article prompted you to take notice of how your older parents are managing their daily life. Share your story with us.
Financial Concierge offers Professional Executor and Power of Attorney services to assist with executor, attorney duties or help with managing daily financial activities. Learn more about Financial Concierge here.
Author: Janet Jackson, Contributor: Jill Chambers
DISCLAIMER: This blog is not intended to be legal or financial advice and should not be construed as anything other than for information purposes.
