11 Signs Your Parent Needs Home Care (and What to Do Next)

When you’re caring for your elderly parent, knowing when it’s time to bring in professional help isn’t always easy, but there are signs to look out for. 

For some families, it’s a necessity following a fall or injury; for others, it can be as subtle as an emptier fridge or one too many missed appointments. Spotting the signs your parent needs home care early means they can get the support they need sooner. 

In this blog, we’ll go over 11 signs your parent needs home care, what to do next, and how to speak to your parent about home care. 

1.Post and Bills Are Piling Up

It may seem innocent, but noticing a growing pile of post or bills can actually be one of the earliest signs your elderly parent needs home care. 

Post piling up can be a sign that keeping on top of things at home has become too much for them to handle alone, but it can also leave them vulnerable to scams. 

2.The House Isn’t Kept the Way It Used to Be

If your parent typically keeps a clean house, something as simple as an overflowing laundry basket, dying houseplants, or the sink being full of dirty dishes can be telling. 

Letting housework slip can be down to tiredness, mobility issues, or even simply a loss of interest. When it happens frequently, it can be a sign your parent may need additional support at home. 

3.They’re Skipping Meals and Losing Weight

A fridge full of expired foods, bare cupboards, or noticeable weight loss can all point towards the need for home care for your parent. 

Poor nutrition can affect a whole host of things, from lower energy levels to an increased risk of falls. That’s why regularly skipping meals or losing weight are some of the biggest signs your parent needs support. 

4.Their Personal Care Is Slipping

Personal care is about much more than just hygiene; when it slips, it can be a sign that your parent needs more support at home. 

You might notice they’re wearing the same clothes every day, not washing their hair or shaving, or they have body odour due to a lack of showering. If you do spot any of these signs, make sure you raise them gently, as personal hygiene is often a sensitive topic. 

5.They’re Unsteady on Their Feet 

If you’ve noticed your parent getting increasingly unsteady on their feet, holding onto furniture when they walk, or avoiding stairs, it might be time to consider home care. 

Feeling unsteady can knock their confidence, which often means they move around less, and that makes trips and falls more likely.

6.Medication Is Being Missed or Mixed Up

Missed or double doses of medication can cause serious health problems. So, if your parent’s blister pack is full, too empty for the date, or they seem confused about what the medication is for, home care can help them stay on top of it. 

7.They’re Forgetting More Than Usual

Everyone forgets the odd appointment or plan, but if your parent frequently misses plans, asks the same questions or tells the same stories, it could be a sign of a bigger problem. 

If you’re worried their memory is getting worse, it’s worth booking a GP appointment to look into the cause.

8.They’ve Stopped Seeing Friends or Going Out

Going to church on the weekends or meeting friends for a cuppa and a chat helps prevent loneliness. When your parent starts to skip social plans, not only can it be detrimental to their health, but it could also mean they’re in need of extra care. 

9.They Seem Low, Anxious, or Uneasy at Night

We all have days where we feel low, but if your parent has started expressing concerns about being alone more regularly, or is showing signs of low mood, support could help. 

Signs of low mood in the elderly can look like agitation, a loss of interest in hobbies, expressing concerns about being a ‘burden’, or struggling with sleep. 

10.A Recent Hospital Stay, Loss or Fall Has Changed Things

Lastly, if your parent has had a recent fall or returned home from a stay in hospital and doesn’t seem like themselves anymore, home care can get them back on their feet again. 

Losing someone at any age is tough, but if your parent has recently lost a partner who helped care for them and is struggling as a result, it could be a sign they need home care. 

11.You’re Worrying About Them Constantly

Most of the signs will come from your parent, but when you’ve started to worry excessively, this can be a sign, too. 

Of course, worrying about a parent is completely normal, especially as they get older and if they live alone. However, if you’ve noticed you’re worrying about them more consistently or you’re struggling to do everyday tasks due to the concern, you may want to look into support. 

Home care supports the whole family, giving you peace of mind as well as helping your parent.

Is It Normal Ageing or a Sign They Need Support?

Many of the signs that a parent may need home care can also simply be behaviour we expect from an elderly loved one. So, when does an elderly person really need home care?

In most cases, it comes down to the frequency and the severity of the signs they’re showing. For example, forgetting the name of a grandchild once or twice isn’t necessarily a concern, but if they’re regularly forgetting their names, it may be time to think about support.