Signs it is time to get help at home

Decline is usually gradual, and families often notice only after something goes wrong. These are the signs that tend to come first.

What to look for

Weight loss, or a fridge with expired or barely-touched food
Unopened mail piling up, or unpaid bills and unusual bank activity
Wearing the same clothes repeatedly, or a change in grooming
Bruises, or a fall they did not mention
Medications not taken, taken twice, or bottles from last year still full
Scorch marks on pans, or a stove left on
Withdrawing from friends, church, or activities they used to attend
Confusion about the date, or repeating the same question in one conversation
Difficulty with stairs, standing from a chair, or getting to the bathroom in time
A driver who is getting lost on familiar routes, or new dents in the car

1
Write down what you actually saw
Dates and specifics. It makes the doctor conversation far more useful than "Mom seems off."
2
Book a medical visit
Some causes are treatable and reversible — infection, medication interaction, thyroid, depression, hearing loss. Rule those out first.
3
Ask about home health
If there is a skilled need, Medicare may cover nursing or therapy at home at no cost.
4
Call the Area Agency on Aging
Free, local, and they know which programs the family may qualify for.