Caring for an aging parent is a journey filled with challenges, rewards, and continual ebbs and flows as your parent’s needs change. Recognizing these changes and assessing your capacity to support your parent are necessary components of caregiving. This article explores key physical, cognitive, and emotional changes in your parent, as well as your capacity as a caregiver, that might indicate they need more help.

Keep in mind that seeking additional support is not a sign of your limitations but rather that you recognize how additional help can improve quality of life for your parent, yourself, and your family. By acknowledging that you need help, you can ensure that your parent receives the best care possible while also preserving your own well-being. 

Recognizing when your aging parent needs more support

As you continue to care for your aging parent, you will likely notice changes in their health, cognitive functioning, emotions, and daily living. It’s important to ask yourself whether these increasing needs are starting to go beyond what you can reasonably manage on your own. Recognizing them early can make a significant difference in making sure that your parent receives the care they need. 

Let’s take a closer look at these signs.

Decline in their physical health

Physical health changes can suggest that your parent needs more support than you can provide. 

Key signs include:

• Frequent falls or injuries: Increased falls or minor accidents may indicate that your parent is struggling with balance, vision, or mobility issues.
• Noticeable weight loss or gain: Changes in your parent’s weight could come from an increase or decrease in appetite, unhealthy eating patterns, forgetfulness around meals, or underlying health issues.
• Worsening health conditions: Watch for signs that chronic conditions are not well managed or that new health problems are emerging. Look for new or worsening symptoms like increased pain or unstable blood pressure.
• Fatigue and lack of energy: Ongoing fatigue or a decrease in participation in daily activities might indicate declining health. Pay attention to changes in hygiene, sleep, and mobility.

If these issues are becoming more frequent or severe, it may signal that your parent’s care needs are too complex or time-consuming to be safely managed by one person.

Cognitive and emotional changes

Changes in your parent’s cognitive and emotional health can be subtle signs that they need more support than you can provide.

Signs include:

• Memory loss or confusion: Forgetting appointments, not recalling recent events, repeating questions, or misplacing items regularly can point to cognitive decline.
• Trouble with decision-making or problem-solving: Difficulty choosing meals, picking outfits, handling bills, or solving everyday problems can also be a sign.
• Mood swings or behavior changes: Sudden shifts in mood or personality may be warning signs of larger problems such as depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, or other health issues.

As these challenges grow, you may find yourself spending more time correcting mistakes, managing crises, or making decisions for your parent, which can quickly exceed what you’re able to do alone.

Difficulty with daily living

A decline in your aging parent’s ability to manage daily routines may be a sign that they need more hands-on help.

They may be struggling with the following:

• Medication management: Missing doses or taking the wrong amount of medication can lead to serious health consequences. 
• Personal hygiene: If your parent is neglecting personal care tasks, like bathing, toileting, or changing clothes, it may be a sign they need more support.
• Household chores: A cluttered, dirty, or unsafe living space could mean your parent can no longer keep up with household responsibilities.
• Nutritional intake: Skipping meals, not preparing food, or forgetting to eat may indicate physical or cognitive limitations that signal the need for more help.

When these day-to-day tasks start requiring constant reminders or direct assistance, it may be a sign that your parent needs a level of care that goes beyond what you can realistically manage on your own.

Evaluating your capacity as a caregiver for your aging parent

As you move through your caregiving journey with your parent, it’s important to continue to evaluate and assess your capacity to manage this role effectively. Understanding your limitations can help ensure that your parent receives the support needed and that you take care of your needs. 

Let’s look at key areas to consider when evaluating your ability to care for your aging parent.

Time constraints

Balancing caregiving with work, family, and personal time is very challenging. If your schedule feels overwhelming or you’re constantly behind on your own tasks, it might be time to ask for help. Signs include:

• Frequently missing work or appointments.
• Rushing through caregiving tasks.
• Skipping your own self-care and daily responsibilities.

Emotional and physical stress

Caregiving can take a significant toll on your emotional and physical health, often leading to burnout. You might:

• Feel constantly tired, impatient, or irritable.
• Neglect your own meals, sleep, or medical needs.
• Lose interest in hobbies or social activities.

It’s important to acknowledge these signs of caregiver stress and seek support. In addition to getting extra help for your parent, you might consider adding support in your own life, such as therapy or support groups.

Financial strain

The financial aspects of caregiving can be very impactful on your life. You might be experiencing:

• Difficulties in paying for your parent’s care needs, medical bills, or medical equipment.
• Financial challenges on your budget due to time away from work, paying for parent’s care needs, or increased spending on convenience items due to time constraints.
• Increased stress and worries about long-term financial stability.

Recognizing these financial strains allows you to begin exploring resources and supports to help decrease the financial burden of caregiving.

Your aging parent’s care needs may outgrow your capacity to care for them alone

As you move through the caregiving path, your aging parent’s needs will change and may move beyond your capacity to continue to support them. In recognizing their needs and your own limitations, you may come to the decision that your parent needs more help than you can give and that it’s time to explore senior care options, whether that’s home care, assisted living, or another solution. Remember, seeking help is a strength that will help you give the best care for your family.

If you think it’s time to look into senior care, contact your local Oasis Senior Advisor to start exploring your options.