In the hustle and bustle of modern life, we often tend to overlook the growing needs and requirements of our elderly family members. This situation can become worse if your aging loved one is too embarrassed to tell you that they need extra help. If left unnoticed, such concerns might grow into social and behavioral problems, or create other health hazards.

Therefore, it is your responsibility as a family member to provide them with the attention they need and see whether they require more assistance. To make your job a bit easier, we have summed up 5 signs that will tell you if your elderly loved ones require living assistance.

Sign #1 – They Find It Difficult to Keep Up with the Household Work

Many of our elderly family members want to be independent and do all the house work by themselves. However, if you have visited their house lately and observed that they are not doing household chores, take it as a sign that they may need help.

It might be due to his/her physical inability. However, not paying same attention to their surroundings as they used to can sometimes indicate developing cognitive problems. Be sure to key an eye on this and have a doctor assess if you suspect this issue.

Sign #2 – Mail is Piling Up

It is normal to regularly read through mail and file important letters. However, if your loved one is letting the mail accumulate, it might be a symptom of a larger problem. Elderly people with aging problems tend to misplace important letters and forget to pay bills. While forgetting once or twice is generally not a problem, you should take measures if it happens frequently.

Sign #3 – There are Drastic Changes in Eating Habits

Unwillingness to eat is another sign of health issues in elderly people. When other problems escalate, they can find it difficult to follow their normal dietary routine and opt for foods that are easy to prepare and have little nutritional value. There are many ways to keep a track on their eating habits such as:

• Ensure there is enough food stocked in the refrigerator. Look for vegetables and foods high in protein. A lack of groceries might mean that your family member is not maintaining healthy diet.
• Inquire if they like cooking foods that take very minimal time for preparation.
• Note if they have lost weight recently, as this might mean that they are not eating properly.

Sign #4 –Evidence of Poor Hygiene

Degrading health can affect the personal hygiene of your loved ones. Some visible signs include:

• Wearing mismatched or dirty clothes, or wearing them inside out
• Having unkempt hair and long nails
• A general untidy appearance hinting toward a change in the bathing patterns
• Dry toothbrushes or other indications they’ve stopped brushing regularly

Sign #5 – They’ve Lost Interest in Socializing

If you see that your fun-loving parent has suddenly stopped going to social gatherings, ask them about it. One of the very early signs of struggling with any problem in elderly people is social withdrawal. They interact less and try to cope with the problem alone. Lack of socialization can bring considerable changes in their behavior too. A socially aloof aging person is very likely to:

• Withdraw from engaging in their favorite hobbies and activities
• Stop enjoying interactions with other people
• Have a new fear of driving or performing actions that require greater concentration

Obtaining Care for Your Elderly Family Member

If you see one or more of these signs in your elderly family member and find it challenging to deal with it alone, our professional medical staff is here to help! Our experts at Dependable Healthcare Services will match you with an appropriate home care specialist. Your aging loved one will feel safe at home with one of our healthcare professionals, and you can breathe easier knowing they are being well cared for.