Families with aging older adults often times worry if their loved ones arereally okay.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, if you have a mother or father still living, you will always be their child. Parents, generally speaking, will go to great lengths to protect their children from worry. It is not unusual to hear via phone, “We’re great!” “Everything is fine.”

“After our last family visit, I nearly fell apart”, shares an adult child of a senior living in the Los Angeles area of California. “We spoke on the phone daily, (I live in Michigan) but when I came home and saw first hand how they’d declined, I felt so guilty.”

What signs should alert you to the fact that it’s time to consider hiring some in-home care assistance? Though certainly not a complete list, the following should help you in your decision.

Pay attention to sudden changes in weight loss or weight gain:This could be a sign that your parents are not able to grocery shop or cook the kind of meals they once did. It may also be a sign that they’re feeling depressed or perhaps it’s a sign that they need to get an updated physical at the doctor’s office.

Do you notice changes in mobility?:Is it taking longer for your parents to stand up from a sitting position? Are they able to walk with a strong gait? Are they a fall risk?

When you visit your parents, pay attention to the cleanliness of the home:Are the bathrooms and kitchen clean? Is the floor space clear and free of clutter? (important because of the potential fall risk.) Is the laundry done?

Check the supply of meds the next time you visit:Are your parents taking the medication prescribed to them as prescribed?

Be honest with yourself:You need to accept that in the process of aging, the likelihood of your parents needing help is not so much a question of ‘if’ but ‘when.’

Ed Morris, founder of Abbey Caregivers located in LA, California, ( ) estimates that 85% of the inquiries he receives are from a family member in a crisis situation.

Most seniors would much prefer to remain living within their familiar home environment. Setting services in place, prior to a crisis, simply makes sense for most families.