Adult children may be concerned about the safety and well-being of their older parents. They may wonder whether their parents are able to take care of themselves or if they need help. While in-home healthcare is available, some seniors do not need medical assistance. They may only need assistance with day-to-day activities, such as light cooking, or transportation to the grocery store, social activities and doctors’ appointments. It is difficult to know when it is time for a senior care companion to come by and offer supervision or assistance. The best way to find out is to visit them and spend some quality time together. Find out how they feel and if they are healthy, safe and happy. Here are some signs to look for that may signify they need help at home.

Awareness

Do Mom and Dad know where they are and who has come to visit? Do they know what year it is? If they are disoriented to time and cannot find their way around the home, it is a sign of confusion. They probably need someone close-by to help out.

Utilities

Check to see that all utilities are working in the home. Observe whether the electricity, water or gas has been cut off due to lack of payment. Some utility companies offer programs where family members are notified if a payment is late or missed altogether.

Clutter

Look in the mailbox and see if the mail has been picked up lately. Check to see if it is piled up in a chair, unsorted. Yes, junk mail comes in droves to everyone, but when regular bills are mixed in and neglected, it may be a symptom of forgetfulness and inability to handle their finances.

Cleanliness

Observe their clothing and hygiene. Does it look as if they have been wearing the same outfit repeatedly without washing it in between? Are there unpleasant odors? Has Mom or Dad bathed recently? Have the hairbrush and toothbrush been used? If not, they may need someone to help remind them. They may also need assistance with bathing and daily hygiene routines from a home care agency.

Food

Look in the refrigerator and cupboards for food. Check the freezer, too. Lack of food could be a symptom of many issues. They may be unable to get to the store to by food if they no longer drive. They may forget to go to the grocery store. Seniors sometimes have a hard time cooking meals and may rely on the microwave or prepared foods. They may also find it easier to eat out regularly and pay someone else to do the cooking and serving.

Health

A serious consideration is health. How steady are they on their feet? Rather than simply observing in the home, go out to eat or go shopping. Do they need a cane for balance? This is usually more obvious outdoors and in wide open spaces than in the familiarity of the home. Look for bruises on the head, arms and legs. This is a sign of falling down or bumping into furniture. Ask how the injuries happened. There may be a simple explanation. Are medications being taken regularly, or are the bottles full and collecting dust?

When there are a few warning signals that things are being neglected and that senior parents are struggling with day-to-day living, it may be time to make some decisions together. A home healthcare agency can do an evaluation and discuss with the adult children and their senior parents what might be the best way to remedy the situation.