Signs That an Older Adult Needs Help
January 31, 2025
The holidays are often when we gather with loved ones, whether in our homes here in Puyallup or with a far-away relative. Sometimes, these annual visits are when we notice that some of our family members are not faring as well as we may have hoped. As our loved ones age, our concern for their well-being and independence naturally increases. Maintaining autonomy is often a priority for them, but certain signs might suggest they need support to ensure their safety and quality of life. Early recognition of these signs is key to providing necessary care. Here are 10 warning signs:
1. Changes in personal hygiene: Noticeable decline in grooming habits, such as unkempt hair, wearing dirty clothes, or body odor, could indicate difficulties with self-care.
“Hygiene is one of the biggest signs of cognitive decline–anything that’s a kind of multistep process such as doing your hair or getting dressed,” said Talia Chipman, Community Relations Director at Fieldstone of Puyallup.
2. Unexplained injuries: Be alert to any unexplained marks or wounds, which may be signs of falls or accidents that they are reluctant to mention.
3. Forgetfulness and memory loss: While occasional memory lapses are common, frequent forgetfulness or the inability to recall important dates or repetitive questioning might signal cognitive issues.
4. Unpaid bills and financial issues: Unfortunately, falling victim to financial scams is often one of the first signs of cognitive decline. Look for signs like unpaid bills, overdue payment notices, or piles of unopened mail. Challenges with financial management or unusual spending could suggest it’s time to help manage their finances.
5. Changes in mood or behavior: Watch for significant shifts in mood or behavior, including increased irritability, social withdrawal, or symptoms of depression, which could indicate physical or emotional distress.
6. Decline in physical mobility: Observe any difficulty they have in moving around independently. Trouble walking, an unsteady gait, or reluctance to go out might indicate mobility issues or a fear of falling, which can exacerbate health declines due to decreased activity.
7. Spoiled food in the refrigerator: Expired or spoiled food in their home can suggest they are struggling with grocery shopping or meal preparation, pointing to potential nutritional concerns.
8. Neglected household maintenance: Signs like clutter, unsorted mail, or lack of cleanliness can show difficulties in managing household chores, possibly due to declining physical or cognitive health.
9. Isolation and withdrawal: If your loved one avoids social interactions or has stopped participating in previously enjoyed activities, it could be a sign of loneliness or depression. And isolation can look different for each individual, but Chipman urges family members to trust their intuition about what’s normal for a loved one.
“When kids come to visit and they say ‘she would never,’—the other part of that sentence is different for everyone,” Chipman explained. “She would never… let her home fall into disrepair, or isolate herself from friends, or let her hair become unkempt. Family members know what that general baseline is for their loved one’s behavior.”
10. Medication mismanagement: Ensure they manage their medication properly; look for signs like missed doses or confusion over prescriptions, which can pose serious health risks.
If you observe any of these signs, approach your loved one with compassion and understanding. It’s important to recognize that needing assistance in our older years is not a personal failure. Many people can thrive in assisted living or memory care communities.
Chipman says the communal nature of their neighborhood is something that helps everyone strive, no matter where they are on their memory loss journey.
“I think one of the things that set us apart is that this place is intentionally designed to be everybody’s home, it’s a community,” she said. “Our residents have spaces to socialize naturally, and just having other people around can help them eat more and take cues from other people in the community. When the type of barriers that cause people to stop eating healthy food regularly are removed, they are healthier and their medications work better.”
Initiate open discussions about your observations and express your readiness to help them find appropriate solutions. Options might include hiring in-home care services, arranging regular visits from family members or caregivers, or considering transitions to assisted living or long-term care communities.
Prioritizing the well-being of your loved one means acknowledging when they might need assistance and taking proactive steps to ensure they receive the appropriate care and support. By remaining attentive and responsive to their changing needs, you can help preserve their dignity, independence, and quality of life.