As our parents get older, they may experience more health problems. Some of these health problems can be easily treated if caught early enough. Your parents may pick up on symptoms and take action themselves – but there’s a risk that this may not happen, particularly if your parents can be quite stubborn about getting help or if the symptoms are gradual. Below are a few ways in which you can look out for aging parents to make sure that they are ok. 

Regularly check in on them if they are alone

If you have a parent that lives alone, it could be vital that you check in on them – especially if they already have health problems that affect mobility. This is not just to check in on their physical health, but also their mental health. Loneliness can make many of us depressed and can be a big issue in older age.

If you don’t live locally and aren’t able to pop around regularly, consider scheduling regular phone calls or video calls. Those with mobility issues that live alone may benefit from having a career check in on them, as well as having easy access to an alarm in the event of an accident such as a fall.

Look out for warning signs

There are many warning signs that someone may be experiencing health problems. Your parents may be in poor health if they display any of the following signs:

• They easily get confused – they seem to get lost easily or regularly ask the same questions, possibly showing signs of dementia.
• They seem to struggle to walk long distances or do certain physical tasks. They either look unsteady, are in pain, or get out of breath easily. 
• They’ve lost a lot of weight rapidly. This is usually a clear sign that there is a health problem. 
• They’ve been neglecting household tasks they usually would have done such as cooking and cleaning. 
• They listen to the TV at a very loud volume, struggle to keep up with conversations or don’t respond unless shouted to, suggesting hearing loss. 
• They’re not in good spirits and don’t seem to be socializing as much, if at all. 

Share any concerns you have

It’s important to show your concern for any health problems that you notice. This may help your parents to take the problem seriously if they have been ignoring it. 

If you think that you have a good idea as to what the health problem is, it could be worth talking about treatment options. For instance, when it comes to hearing loss, it could be worth discussing hearing aids with them. If parents seem reluctant to seek out treatment, try to get to the bottom of why they feel like this – are they just being stubborn, or do they have other fears stopping them from getting treatment. 

Know when to get professional guidance

You may be able to talk to a doctor for professional guidance if your parents are reluctant to see a doctor themselves. This may help you to diagnose the problem yourself. A signed waiver from your parent may be necessary to talk to their doctor in some cases, so bear this in mind. On top of seeking help from professionals, consider also seeking out help from friends and family – if multiple people show concern, your parent may be more likely to take action.