Signs Your Parent Might Need In-Home Care

You notice things. Small things at first.

Your mom's house isn't as tidy as it used to be. There's spoiled food in the fridge. Your dad seems thinner than he was at Christmas, and when you ask if he's eating, he says he's fine—but you're not so sure. Maybe you've started calling more often, just to check. Maybe the checking has turned into worrying.

The question sitting in the back of your mind is the one nobody wants to ask: Is it time to get help?

There's no perfect moment, no clear line that says "now." But there are signs. And recognizing them early can make all the difference for your parent's safety, health, and independence.

1. They're Struggling With Daily Tasks (Even If They Won't Admit It)

Your father has always been self-sufficient. He raised you, managed a career, fixed things around the house. So when you visit and notice he's wearing the same shirt he had on three days ago, it's jarring.

Personal care is often the first thing to slip. Skipping showers because it feels like too much effort. Wearing dirty clothes because laundry has piled up. Not brushing teeth regularly. These aren't signs of laziness—they're signs that every day tasks have become overwhelming.

Look around the house when you visit. Is mail stacked up unopened? Are bills going unpaid even though there's money in the account? Has that leaking faucet been "on the list" for six months?

Sometimes it's physical limitations. Arthritis makes buttoning shirts painful. Balance issues make getting in and out of the shower scary. Other times, it's cognitive—they forget they already ate lunch, or they can't remember the steps to make coffee anymore.

Your parent might brush off your concerns. "I'm fine, I just forgot." And maybe they are fine. But if you're noticing a pattern, trust what you're seeing.

2. The Kitchen Tells a Story

Walk into your parent's kitchen and really look. What's in the fridge? If you see expired milk, moldy leftovers, or practically nothing at all, that's telling you something.

Cooking requires planning, coordination, and energy. When those things start to fade, nutrition suffers. Your mom might be living on crackers and canned soup because it's all she can manage. Your dad might have stopped cooking entirely and started skipping meals.

Weight loss is a red flag. If your parent's clothes are hanging loose or their face looks gaunt, they're not getting enough to eat. Sometimes it's because cooking feels impossible. Sometimes they forget to eat. Sometimes they've lost their appetite but won't say why.

I worked with a family in Richardson whose mother had always been an amazing cook. When her daughter visited and found nothing but cereal and frozen dinners, she knew something had shifted. It turned out her mom was afraid of using the stove—she'd left a burner on twice and it scared her but she just never mentioned it.

A caregiver who can prepare nutritious meals and sit with your parent while they eat can turn this around quickly.

3. You're Seeing Safety Concerns

This is the one that keeps you up at night. The fall that could happen. The medication mistake. The moment when being alone becomes dangerous.

Maybe your parent has already fallen. Maybe it was just once, and they're okay, but now you can't stop picturing it happening again when no one's there to help. Falls are serious for older adults—they can lead to broken hips, head injuries, and a devastating loss of confidence.

Look for clues. New bruises they can't explain. Furniture that's been moved closer together, like they're using it to steady themselves. Grab bars that need to be installed but aren't.

Medications are another concern. Is your parent taking everything they're supposed to? Are they taking it at the right times? I've seen people accidentally double-dose because they forgot they already took their pills. I've seen others skip doses for days because they got confused about the schedule.

If your parent has dementia, safety concerns multiply; wandering, leaving the stove on, getting lost in their own neighborhood and not recognizing dangerous situations.

You can't be there every moment. But someone can be.

4. They're Isolated and It's Taking a Toll

Humans aren't meant to be alone all the time. Your parent might live by themselves, and maybe they've always been independent, but isolation does damage.

Are they seeing friends less often? Have they stopped going to church or their book club? When you call, do they sound flat, disengaged, like they're just going through the motions?

Depression in older adults doesn't always look like sadness. Sometimes it looks like withdrawal, loss of interest in things they used to love, sleeping too much or hardly at all or even irritability.

Loneliness also affects physical health. It weakens the immune system, raises blood pressure, increases the risk of cognitive decline. Your parent might be medically stable but emotionally struggling, and that matters just as much.

Companion care isn't just about tasks. It's about having someone to talk to. Someone to play cards with, take a walk with, laugh with. It brings life back into the day.

5. You're Burning Out (And That's Okay to Admit)

Maybe you've been managing. You stop by after work to check on your mom, you pick up groceries on weekends, you call every morning to make sure your dad took his pills,

but it's wearing you down. You're exhausted. You can't remember the last time you did something just for yourself. You feel guilty when you're with your parent because you're thinking about everything else you need to do, and you feel guilty when you're not with them because you're worried.

You are not failing; you are human.

Caring for an aging parent while managing your own life is one of the hardest things you'll ever do. Asking for help doesn't mean you're giving up or abandoning them. It means you're making sure they get the care they need while also protecting your own health and relationships.

Professional caregivers can take on the daily responsibilities so you can go back to being the daughter or son, not the exhausted manager of everything.

What You Should Do Next

If you're recognizing your parent in any of these signs, start by having a conversation. Not a confrontation—a conversation. Ask how they're really doing. Listen to what they say, and what they don't say.

Talk to their doctor if you can. Sometimes medical issues are driving the changes you're seeing, and those need to be addressed first.

Then think about what kind of help would actually make a difference. A few hours a week for meal prep and light housekeeping? Daily check-ins for medication management? Full-time care for safety and companionship?

You don't have to have all the answers right now. You just have to take the first step.

We're Here When You're Ready

At Priscilla's Home Care, we've walked alongside families through this transition for over 20 years. We know how hard it is to admit your parent needs help. We also know how much relief comes when the right support is in place.

Whether you need a few hours a week or around-the-clock care, we'll create a plan that fits your family. We'll match your parent with a caregiver who respects their independence while keeping them safe and connected.

If you're seeing the signs and you're not sure what to do next, call us at 214-600-7089. Let's talk through what's happening and figure out the right level of care. No pressure, no sales pitch—just honest guidance from people who understand.

Your parent deserves to age with dignity, and you deserve support. Let's make sure you both get it.