Signs Your Aging Parent Might Need Help
Caring for an aging parent can be an emotional and challenging journey. You may find yourself wondering whether their forgetfulness, mood changes, or daily struggles are simply part of getting older or something more serious. While aging inevitably brings some degree of change, distinguishing between normal aging and signs of a deeper issue can help you provide the best support possible.
By paying close attention to your parent’s habits and routines, you can identify patterns that may indicate they need assistance. The key is to recognize the warning signs early and take proactive steps to ensure their safety, well-being, and independence for as long as possible.
Below is an Aging Parent Checklist created by Bancroft NeuroRehab neuropsychologist, Tiffany Channing, Psy.D. This checklist will help you recognize whether the changes you’re noticing in your parent’s behavior are a normal part of aging or potential signs of an underlying brain condition. By paying attention to shifts in daily habits, cognitive abilities, and emotional well-being, you can determine when it may be time to seek professional guidance.
Changes in Daily Living
Changes in daily living can be subtle but significant indicators of a shift in someone’s abilities. Have you noticed any of the following?
- Neglecting household chores – The house is cluttered, laundry is piling up, or the lawn is no longer maintained.
- Difficulty using household items – They struggle with familiar appliances like the stove or iron and may forget to turn them off.
- Medication issues – Forgetting to take medications or skipping doses.
- Financial mistakes – Errors while writing checks or trouble calculating change.
- Declining personal hygiene – Wearing the same clothes repeatedly or skipping showers.
- Appetite and weight changes – Eating irregularly, overindulging, or fixating on a single type of food.
- Getting lost while driving – Becoming disoriented, even in familiar areas, and relying more on GPS.
Cognitive Changes
Cognitive changes can manifest in various ways, often impacting communication and daily tasks such as:
- Trouble following conversations – Losing track of discussions or struggling with directions.
- Difficulty finding words – Frequently pausing or substituting incorrect words.
- Repeating stories or questions – Bringing up the same topics multiple times.
- Easily distracted – Losing focus on tasks or TV shows.
- Problem-solving difficulties – Struggling with decisions, such as how to fix a household issue or plan an event.
Emotional/Social Changes
Emotional and social changes can be just as impactful as cognitive shifts, including:
- Withdrawing from loved ones – Avoiding social gatherings or skipping activities they once enjoyed.
- Loss of motivation – Showing little interest in completing tasks or engaging in hobbies.
- Personality shifts – A once social parent now isolates themselves, or an introverted parent suddenly becomes overly talkative or makes inappropriate comments. Increased nervousness or restlessness – feeling anxious in situations they were once comfortable in.
- Difficulty controlling emotions – Becoming tearful easily or laughing in inappropriate moments.
If you’ve noticed several of the signs described, it might be time to seek professional help.
A neuropsychological evaluation is a crucial first step.
A neuropsychological evaluation, also known as a comprehensive assessment, can help distinguish between the normal cognitive and emotional changes associated with aging and those that may indicate an underlying neurologic condition requiring further attention.
Bancroft NeuroRehab specializes in helping individuals and families facing traumatic brain injuries (TBI), acquired brain injuries, and a variety of neurological conditions. We understand the complexities of these conditions and the impact they can have on daily life. If you’re concerned about your aging parents well-being, we’re here to provide evaluations and therapies to support them.
Bancroft NeuroRehab offers neuropsychological evaluations as well as a range of therapeutic interventions tailored to fit their specific needs. Therapies may include cognitive rehabilitation, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and counseling, all designed to maximize on the independence and quality of life.
Early intervention can make a difference. Don’t wait— it’s crucial for addressing potential neurologic issues. The sooner a diagnosis is made and appropriate support is put in place, the better the outcomes.
To learn more about our services and how we can help, contact us today or call us at 844-234-8387. We’re here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and provide the support you need during this challenging time.
Dr. Channing is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Regent University. She completed her pre- and post-doctoral training at VA Medical Centers and Bancroft NeuroRehab, specializing in neuropsychological evaluations and neurorehabilitation for adults with neurological conditions. Dr. Channing continues this work at Bancroft NeuroRehab and also conducts research on caregiver burnout.
