Nancy knew that her parents were not getting around as well as they used to. Her mother was becoming forgetful and needed to be reminded to take her medication. Her father had recently fallen on the steps. Whenever she suggested getting a home health aide to assist them since she lived far away, they insisted they were fine.

But when Nancy got a call from her parents' long-time neighbor that their lawn hadn't been mowed in weeks and her mother was acting confused, she knew it was time to step in.

An older person's health can change without warning. Your 77-year-old dad who has never had a traffic ticket drives through a stop sign. Your highly organized mother neglects to pay the phone bill or feed the cat. Professionals in elder care advise children of aging parents to trust their instincts when they see danger signs and take action before the situation gets worse.

Signs that your parents might need help
The prospect of losing one's independence can be terrifying. Older adults can be proud and reject that they need help, despite appearances. Concerned adult children may need to look beyond what their parents are saying...and to clues that their caring attention is needed.

Your parents may need your help if...

1. They are not taking medication as prescribed
2. Their driving skills have slipped
3. They are neglecting bills or not depositing checks
4. They fall prey to a financial scam or high-pressure sale
5. Their clothes are not clean
6. They are not brushing their teeth or shaving
7. They have dropped their hobbies and friends
8. They are eating poorly
9. Their house and yard are not being tended to
10. They are not taking proper care of pets
11. They have limited contact with the outside world
12. They seem confused or depressed
13. They have lost bowel or bladder control
14. They trip often or have trouble with stairs

What to do?
If one of your parents appears to need help, make an appointment with a health care professional who is trained in evaluating the medical, emotional and lifestyle needs of the elderly. This expert could be a physician, home care professional, nurse or geriatric social worker.

A comprehensive assessment should include your parent's mental and physical health, living space and daily lifestyle. The purpose is to identify risks and determine what assistance or preventive measures could improve the parent's quality of life. The recommendations could include medication; home health care; home safety modifications; strategies for managing loss of bladder or bowel control; vision loss; or treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Involve your parent in any decisions that need to be made. By addressing age-related problems early, there is a much greater chance that an older parent can continue to live independently for more years than would be possible otherwise.

Related Articles Don't Ignore Early Signs of Alzheimer's Disease Older Adults With a Gambling Problem Parenting Your Parents: How to Know When They Need Help Depression in the Elderly - Recognizing the Symptoms Adult Day Care Programs Benefit Older People and Their Caregivers Help for Caregivers: Geriatric Care Managers Making the Transition From Home to an Assisted Living Facility

External Sources AARP. My parents - how do I know if they need help? . Accessed January 08, 2007 National Family Caregivers Assn. Tips and guides. . Accessed January 09, 2007