5 Warning Signs that Your Elderly Parents May Need Your Help

One unfortunate aspect of aging is that living independently can become more difficult. What are some of the warning signs that your mom and/or dad may need assistance?

1. BRUISING
Older skin bruises more easily and they may not be telling you that they are experiencing falls, bumping into things, or have become increasingly unsteady. A medical checkup and a cane or walker may be in order.

2. FOOD CRISIS
An unexplained weight loss that isn’t the result  of a health issue may be an issue with food  accessibility. Check the refrigerator and cabinets.  Unkempt food storage areas with ruined food, or  a noticeable lack of food, may flag trouble in self  care. Parents may be unable to clean or shop like  they once did. Getting help with household chores, shopping, or meal preparation may be in order to be sure that healthy, fresh food is available while extending their ability to safely  age at home.

3. UNPAID BILLS 
Your parents may not be able to tend to paperwork and bills as they once did. You may discover piles of unpaid bills, cutoff notices, or even cancelled services. Ensuring that vital services are uninterrupted is essential since even a short loss of utilities can have an immediate and life-threatening result for older individuals. Helping them set up automatic bill payments, assisting them with bill paying once a month or hiring a bill paying service will eliminate this concern.

4. ODOR   
If the house has an unpleasant odor, it could be the result of rotting food, the inability to clean and dispose of trash, a difficulty with hygiene or health issues that have gone undiagnosed (like a urinary tract infection). Track down the cause of the odor to determine what steps need to be taken to keep things safe at home.

5. HOME IN DISARRAY
Everyone’s house is messy from time to time.  However, as it becomes more difficult to move  around and do regular household chores, these  messes may become bigger. They should never  progress to the point of creating health or safety  issues. Consider hiring a cleaning service or an  organization expert before things become too  overwhelming. Let your parents know that you  don’t want to intrude, but you are genuinely  concerned for their health and safety and  want to help them find solutions that help  them stay in their home longer and remain safe.

I am a National Assoc of Realtors Senior Real Estate Specialist. I can provide a  “Moving On” Guide with Housing-Related Resources Tailored to Seniors and Their Families, free of charge if interested.   

You can count on an SRES® to guide you through the process of buying or selling your home, making the transaction less stressful and more successful.

The Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) designation is awarded by the SRES® Council, a subsidiary of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). To learn more about SRES® and access various consumer resources, please visit SRES.org.