top of page

Table Talk Tuesday: Does Your Aging Parent Need Help Series

Part 2: Changes in Physical Function or Appearance That Indicate a Need for Assistance


Mike Campbell

| Updated June 9, 2020


How will you know when your elderly parents need help at home? One thing is certain: your parents aren’t likely to be the ones who tell you they need a helping hand!

Admitting the need for help and accepting assistance are not easy for people as they age. One way to avoid this is to start regularly monitoring your parents’ physical and mental abilities and researching long-term care options. This will ensure you are prepared should your parents begin to show signs of needing help.


Changes in Physical Function or Appearance That Indicate a Need for Assistance

  • Noticeable weight loss due to poor diet, difficulty cooking, eating, shopping for food, etc.

  • Sloppy appearance due to difficulty dressing and grooming.

  • Poor personal hygiene and unpleasant body odor as a result of infrequent showering or bathing.

  • Noticeable decline in grooming habits and personal care, such as unkempt hair, untrimmed nails or lack of oral care.

  • Bruises, wounds or other marks on the body that could indicate a senior has fallen or is having trouble walking or moving from place to place.

  • Noticeable burns on the skin could indicate a senior is experiencing problems cooking.

  • Changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping for most of the day.

If you find yourself answering yes to some or all of these changes to your loved one, rest assured that Indigo Nursing has a full range of caregivers ready to handle your loved one's caregiving needs. Call today to schedule a free consultation.


Original Article found at AgingCare.com


#indigonursing #nursing #nursingcare #homecare #careathome #elderly #eldercare #dementia #alzheimers #stroke #parkinsons #care #caring #findacaregiver #caregiver #elderassistance #rightathome #companioncare #handsoncare #needhelpathome #nursingassistant

3 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Part 4: Caregiving devices and apps are rapidly changing care at home. Try using technology these ways: Medical alert systems (or personal emergency response systems). A wide variety of options are a

Part 3: Keep safety a top priority. Every year, 1 in 4 Americans over the age of 65 fall, so fall prevention is paramount. Many of the modifications listed above help prevent this kind of accident.

Part 2: Make basic home modifications. Use universal design principles to ensure the home is comfortable and safe for people of all ages and abilities. Make any alterations easily adaptable, since ne

bottom of page