When Loved Ones Need Support: Signs Of Decline In Aging Adults

Sometimes, it takes an objective observer to notice things that family and friends easily miss when it comes to signs of decline in aging loved ones. First, these changes happen over a period of time, and if you’re a constant witness, there are few opportunities to notice “before” and “afters.” Second, most adults want to age in place independently, and they hate to cause loved ones any worry, so they can hide or gloss over the truth when they’re asked, “How are you doing?”

PROFESSIONAL SENIOR CARE TRIP: Bringing proactive support into the mix is one of the best ways to prevent anything but the natural decline associated with aging or existing medical conditions. The healthier, stronger, and more vibrant seniors are, the higher quality of life they enjoy.

5 Red Flags Indicating Senior Loved Ones Need More Support

Needing more support does not mean having to move into an assisted living facility. The opposite is more often the truth. Neglecting signs of decline in aging adults means they lack the support they need to live safely and independently in their homes. 

Without personalized resources, they are at higher risk for debilitating falls or accidents that lead to hospital stays or the need for acute rehab and skilled nursing - both of which increase their chances of having to move out of their home permanently.

Here are six common red flags associated with senior decline. If you notice these, some type of help, support, or long-term care plan needs to be put into place.

Notable weight loss (or the cupboards seem bare)

One of the first signs that something isn’t quite right is a loss of weight or noticing that the refrigerator or pantry seems sparse. Assuming your loved one keeps up with their annual wellness checks and their health is stable, this indicates two things. 

First, it’s a sign they aren’t getting out there and running errands for themselves. This may mean driving has been a challenge or they’ve had a driving incident you don’t know about. It could also mean they lack the stamina to run errands and are living on a bare minimum.

In either case, weight loss and lack of food mean they’re not eating well, and that’s the beginning of a rapid downhill spiral.

Support Options. Talk to them about having meals delivered from a local food service so they have fresh, healthy meal options waiting for them to reheat easily. In-home caregivers can also stop by once a week to prepare delicious meals and snacks that align with dietary needs/restrictions. This also serves as a weekly wellness check and allows us to take care of other items that can support their well-being.

They shouldn't be driving

There are several signs indicating seniors shouldn’t be behind the wheel anymore. Some of the most common are:

• They’re prohibited from driving based on a medical diagnosis (frequent TIAs, stroke, etc.) or due to medication side effects.
• More frequent fender benders or inexplicable damage to the car.
• Traffic tickets.
• Legal blindness.
• Diagnosis of early dementia or Alzheimer's.
• They’re found after getting lost or being confused about where they are.

It’s not easy to get a strong-willed and independent adult to give up their keys. For many, it feels like the ultimate surrender of their sense of self. However, this step is necessary to keep themselves and others safe.

Support Options: If your loved one doesn’t have dementia or any cognitive decline, public transportation or ridesharing options like Uber or Lyft are always options. You can also connect with Bay Area senior-specific transportation services, although these schedules may be more restrictive or may require reservations. Local homecare agencies also offer transportation services, which can be set up on a set schedule.

Their house is dirty or cluttered

Waning energy leaves seniors less able to clean their own homes, change the sheets, do laundry, and so on. In addition to being a hygiene issue, it can make them more prone to slipping and falling, tripping over clutter, or being unable to find what they need.

Support Options: Hiring housekeeping help that comes once a week is a game changer. Once they’re used to it, our clients can’t imagine life without it. There’s nothing better than living in a clean, fresh home and having regularly changed sheets and towels. While you can hire any reputable cleaning service, we recommend using a licensed caregiving agency. In addition to knowing housekeeping is done by experienced and vetted aides (complete with background checks), we can also implement other senior support services as needed over time.

Their personal hygiene is suffering

Along those same lines, seniors who are depressed, suffering from undiagnosed medical conditions, experiencing medication contraindications, or who simply don’t feel good stop taking care of routine hygiene steps like bathing/showering, brushing their teeth, changing their clothes, etc. 

They may be too embarrassed to tell you if they've become incontinent. This will be evident when you’re with them in person but not if your long-distance connection takes place via phone or video chats.  

SUPPORT TIP: As with malnourishment, lack of personal hygiene indicates more support is necessary. A weak body and immune system that isn’t kept clean is at risk for things like UTIs, which can lead to dementia-like symptoms in seniors. And depression is always a potential factor with a lack of personal care. In this case, bringing in a companion or part-time caregiver can do wonders for taking care of the big-picture issues and getting your loved one back to feeling themselves again.

They stop seeing friends or attending normal social engagements

A social retreat is a major red flag that should not be ignored. First and foremost, healthy social engagement is essential to senior health and well-being. 

Staying at home alone is a recipe for senior depression (if it’s not already part of the equation). It’s also a sign that they don’t feel safe driving or using public transportation. 

SUPPORT TIP: Get curious about why they’ve stopped attending their favorite activities or connecting with friends. Be prepared to read between the lines. Connecting with local senior centers, volunteer opportunities, or hiring a senior companion (who can also drive them places) are all ways to get them back into social action again, which often revives their zest for life.

HomeAide Home Care Prevents Unnecessary Decline In Senior Loved Ones

Don’t wait for the first signs of decline before bringing in experienced support to help senior loved ones age safely in their homes. 

The compassionate team at HomeAide Home Care provides a wide range of services dedicated to helping aging family members feel their very best, with ample access to doing the things they love. Contact us to schedule a free, in-home assessment and learn more about creating a personalized, long-term care plan for your parent or grandparent.