How to Know When Your Elderly Parents Need Help at Home: Signs to Watch For and How Care Calling Now Can Ensure Their Safety

How to Know When Your Elderly Parents Need Help at Home: Signs to Watch For and How Care Calling Now Can Ensure Their Safety

As your elderly parents age, one of the biggest challenges is ensuring they stay safe and well-cared for at home. Seniors often resist asking for help, so it’s essential for adult children to monitor their health and safety regularly. But how do you know when it’s time to intervene?

Key Signs Your Aging Parents May Need Help at Home

Sometimes, the need for assistance isn’t obvious until a crisis occurs. However, you can stay ahead by looking out for these common signs that your elderly parent may need additional support or a daily check-in service like Care Calling Now:

1. Difficulty with Daily Activities (ADLs)

If your parent is struggling with basic tasks, they may not always be able to tell you. These activities include:

 

• • Bathing, grooming, or dressing

• • Toileting and maintaining continence

• • Eating and drinking

• • Walking or transferring from one place to another (e.g., from bed to chair)

2. Physical Changes or Decline

Observe any noticeable changes in your parent’s physical condition:

 

• • Unexplained weight loss, poor nutrition, or difficulty preparing meals

• • Wearing inappropriate clothing or soiled clothes due to struggles with dressing

• • Decline in hygiene habits (e.g., infrequent bathing or unkempt appearance)

• • Evidence of falls or injuries, such as bruises, burns, or mobility problems

3. Behavioral and Mental Changes

Cognitive decline or emotional shifts can signal that extra support is needed:

 

• • Forgetfulness, confusion, or difficulty with familiar tasks (e.g., missing appointments, misplacing items)

• • Mood swings, agitation, or withdrawal from social activities

• • Increased disorientation or lack of interest in hobbies

4. Neglecting Household Duties

A clean, safe home is essential for an aging adult. If your parent is struggling to maintain their home, look for:

 

• • Clutter, hoarding, or an untidy living space

• • Unpaid bills, unopened mail, or overdue payments

• • Poor food safety practices, such as spoiled food or unused fresh ingredients

• • Evidence of accidents like spilled food, urine odors, or scorched cookware

5. Unsafe Driving or Forgetfulness

If your parent exhibits signs of unsafe driving or forgets important tasks, it’s time to think about their safety:

 

• • Unexplained dents or scratches on the car

• • Missing prescriptions or frequent medication errors

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When Should You Intervene?

Knowing when to intervene can be tough, but your instincts usually give you the right cues. If you feel your parent’s health or safety is at risk, or if you’re overwhelmed by caregiving duties, it’s time to act. The earlier you address the issue, the better you can manage their needs and keep them safe at home.

Handling Resistance to Help

Many seniors hesitate to accept help, especially if they have dementia or other cognitive issues. This reluctance can be heartbreaking, but it’s essential to approach the situation with empathy and patience. Sometimes, it’s necessary to step in for their safety, even if they resist.

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How Care Calling Now Can Ensure Your Parent’s Safety and Well-Being

Care Calling Now provides a daily welfare check-in service designed to keep aging adults safe at home. Our friendly, professional team makes daily phone calls to your loved one, ensuring they’re doing well, managing medications, and staying safe. Here’s how we help:

 

1. 1. Daily Safety Checks
      Our service provides peace of mind by checking in on your parent every day. This ensures they’re safe, that any changes in their health are noticed quickly, and that they’re not alone if something goes wrong.

1. 1. Medication Reminders
      Forgetting to take medications is a common issue among seniors. With Care Calling Now, your parent can receive regular reminders to help them stay on track with their medication regimen.

1. 1. Friendly Conversation and Emotional Support Loneliness Calls
      Many older adults experience loneliness, which can impact both their emotional and physical health. Our daily check-ins provide companionship, offering a friendly voice and ensuring they don’t feel isolated.

1. 1. Immediate Response to Emergencies
      When you don’t answer your call, due any concerning behavior or health issues, during a check-in, we take immediate action to alert you and designated emergency contact who ensure that your parent gets the help they need.

1. 1. Customizable Service
      You can tailor the frequency and type of check-ins based on your parent’s specific needs. Whether it’s a simple daily wellness check or more frequent calls for higher-risk situations, we’ve got you covered.

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Get Started with Care Calling Now

If you’re worried about your elderly parent’s safety and well-being, Care Calling Now can provide the support they need. With our daily check-in service, you can ensure that your parent remains safe, healthy, and connected—no matter where you are.

Don’t wait for an emergency—sign up for daily wellness checks today and give yourself peace of mind knowing your loved one is always just a call away from assistance.