National Institute on Aging
NIH United States
October 12th, 2023
It is not always clear whether an aging parent or relative needs help.
Sometimes a person will recognize that they need help and request it, or an emergency or sudden illness will make it clear. Others may not want to cause worry or admit they’re struggling. If you become aware of the signs that a loved one needs help, you will be better prepared to provide support for their safety and well-being.
The best way to know what someone needs is to ask them directly. But a phone call, email, or text message is not always the best way to tell whether an older person needs help. When you spend time at the person’s home, you might notice possible trouble spots.
Changes in a person’s mood could indicate a need for help. Sometimes depression in older people is confused with normal aging. An older person with depression might brighten up for a phone call or short visit, but it’s harder to hide serious mood problems during an extended visit.
