As your parents age you might have noticed their needs around home are starting to change. They may be having difficulties with cleaning, washing, preparing food or getting to appointments. Acknowledging that your parents may require some more support at home can often be difficult as they have been able to support themselves up until now. Also, there is often resistance from elderly parents to ask for help because they fear losing their independence.

Being able to recognise the signs is the first step to ensure they can remain living independently at home and maintain a high-quality of life.

How to know when your senior parents need help at home

1. State of the home
   A cluttered house, dirty living areas, being unable to attend to tasks independently and noticing physical difficulties completing tasks. This may include having trouble vacuuming, mopping, cleaning, mowing, changing linen, taking out the bins or hanging out/bringing in washing.
2. Confusion around normal tasks and household duties
   Becoming confused and forgetful about cooking meals, missing medication, paying bills, grooming or forgetting to turn off the stove. This can sometimes be the early stages of Dementia and it is always best to raise this with a GP.
3. Mood changes
   Depression and anxiety are often more common in seniors than most people realise. Feelings of frustration, mood swings, loneliness and isolation are serious mental health issues. It’s important to talk to a GP about treatment options. Creating personal connections through social support and participating in social events can help older people build their own connections, friendships and sense of purpose.
4. Decline in physical health and mobility
   Signs that your parents are having difficulty with their physical health and mobility include trouble getting out of chairs or bed, holding on to furniture to move around the house and a loss of balance and difficulty standing in the shower. These signs indicate that they may need some extra assistance from mobility aids or even a carer. Whilst some vision and hearing loss is considered a normal part of aging, it can also be a contributing factor to increase risk of falls and injury when living by themselves. It’s important to maintain healthy exercise and keep moving as well as staying mindful to slow it down, take it easy and seek assistance.
5. Scratches and dents to the car
   When you begin to notice scratches and dents on your elderly parents car, it might be time to discuss their ability to drive independently. This is often a difficult conversation and you’ll need to emphasise that their independence shouldn’t come at the cost of their safety.

How to arrange care for senior parents

If you are concerned about an ageing parent and feel they need more support at home, Be is your next step. Talk to a member of our friendly Care team for professional and understanding support. We are happy to guide you through the process from the beginning by talking to you and discussing your loved ones needs. We can help you through the registration and assessment process with My Aged Care to ensure your loved ones individual needs are considered at each step. Call 1300 761 011 or send an enquiry online to get started.