Resources Know When Care Is Needed
Recognizing the signs early gives you and your loved one time to plan thoughtfully, rather than reacting in a crisis.
Warning Signs to Watch For
No single sign tells the whole story. Look for patterns and changes from your loved one's normal baseline.
Home & Daily Living
- Home is unusually dirty, cluttered, or neglected
- Piles of unopened mail or unpaid bills
- Spoiled food in the refrigerator
- Unwashed dishes or laundry accumulating
- Missing important appointments
- Difficulty managing medications (missed doses, double-dosing)
- Driving issues — new dents, getting lost on familiar routes
Memory & Cognitive Changes
- Forgetting names of close family or friends
- Repeating the same questions or stories frequently
- Confusion about dates, seasons, or current events
- Getting disoriented in familiar places
- Difficulty following conversations or instructions
- Misplacing items and unable to retrace steps
- Poor judgment — unusual financial decisions
Physical Health & Safety
- Unexplained weight loss or poor nutrition
- Unsteady gait, frequent falls, or near-falls
- Trouble getting up from chairs or climbing stairs
- Neglecting personal hygiene — bathing, dental care
- Wearing the same clothes repeatedly
- Bruises or signs of minor injuries they don't mention
- Difficulty managing chronic conditions
Emotional & Social Changes
- Increased withdrawal from family or friends
- Loss of interest in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed
- Noticeable anxiety, paranoia, or mood swings
- Signs of depression — persistent sadness, hopelessness
- Irritability or uncharacteristic anger
- Expressing feelings of being a burden
- Declining invitations to social events
Financial Warning Signs
- Overdue notices for bills that were always paid on time
- Confusion about finances or inability to balance accounts
- Unusual cash withdrawals or gifts to strangers
- Vulnerability to phone, email, or in-person scams
- Reluctance to discuss finances when this was never an issue
- Missing funds with no explanation
Caregiver Strain
- A family caregiver showing exhaustion or burnout
- Caregiver missing their own medical appointments
- Growing conflict within the family about care responsibilities
- Loved one requires more help than one person can provide
- Caregiver unable to leave home safely for work or errands
- Increasing reliance on emergency services or hospital visits
Some signs indicate a safety concern that should be addressed right away — not next week, not after the holidays. If you're noticing any of the following, reach out to a care advisor, your loved one's physician, or emergency services immediately:
- Your loved one is leaving the stove on and forgetting
- They are wandering or getting lost outside the home
- They have fallen and are not receiving appropriate follow-up care
- They are not eating, drinking, or taking critical medications
- They appear to be in an abusive or unsafe living situation
- A primary caregiver is no longer able to provide safe care
How to start the conversation.
One of the hardest parts of this journey is knowing how to bring up care concerns with a loved one, especially when they value their independence. Here are some approaches that tend to work better:
Come from a place of love, not concern about burden
Lead with "I love you and I want to make sure you have everything you need" rather than "We're worried about you." The former invites collaboration; the latter can feel like an accusation.
Share what you've observed, specifically
Rather than general statements like "you seem to be struggling," describe what you've noticed: "I saw the mail hadn't been opened in a few weeks" or "You mentioned forgetting the appointment twice." Specifics feel less like a judgment.
Ask questions rather than making declarations
"How have you been feeling about managing everything on your own?" invites your loved one into the conversation. "You can't manage on your own anymore" shuts it down. Curiosity creates openings.
Make it about choices and options
People who feel like they're losing control resist change. Frame the conversation around exploring options — "Let's just look at what's out there" — rather than announcing a decision.
Bring in a neutral guide
Sometimes it's easier to hear information from a professional than from a family member. A senior care advisor can facilitate family conversations, present options objectively, and help your loved one feel heard and respected throughout the process.
Not Sure Where You Stand?
If you're asking yourself whether it's time to explore care options, that question alone is often a meaningful signal. Here are some situations families tell us prompted their first call:
- I've had to leave work to handle a parent emergency
- My loved one has fallen at least once in the past year
- I'm worried about them being home alone
- Their doctor has raised concerns about their care
- I feel guilty about not being able to do more
- We've had the same argument about care multiple times
- They've had a recent hospitalization
- Their dementia or memory loss is progressing
- I don't know where to begin or who to trust
- I'm providing care and it's affecting my own health
If any of these resonate, a conversation with a senior care advisor is a great next step.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Our advisors help families understand what they're seeing, what it means, and what options exist, at no cost to families.