Cluttered houses may not just be an eyesore, but also a sign that your parent could benefit from a transition to a senior community. Homes not kept in the best condition hint at a lot more going on beneath the surface of stacks of magazines. For one, it may be painful for your parent to pick things up.

After years of taking care of the entire home, age may finally be catching up and making household chores like cleaning more difficult. Home neglect may also point to more serious mental dissatisfaction that isn’t easily expressed to loved ones.

Another telltale sign is a generally disheveled appearance, including dirty or tattered clothes, greasy hair, or body odor. Any change in appearance can be cause for concern, as well as the impetus for broaching the topic of senior living. Be sure to notice if your once-fashionable mom comes to the door in a disheveled robe or if your always clean-shaven dad starts neglecting his routine grooming rituals.

Everybody takes a knock here and there in life. Likely enough, your dad has had his fair share of stubbed toes, sprained ankles and trips over playthings left on the floor, and yet always hopped back. But injuries like these, even minor bruises and bumps, can have serious repercussions in older age, and may indicate issues your parent is facing.

If every time you see your parent they have a new nick or cut that is explained away, take some time to really engage in what’s happening. Frequent falls or run-ins with furniture can point to mobility trouble that’s exacerbated by a big home.

Changes in appearance are hard to argue with, but sometimes your parent may not see things the same way. Even if your mom’s been a feisty soul all her life, or your dad’s always been pretty stubborn, if they start taking arguments over little things to a different level or become easily agitated for unclear reasons, it may signal more serious complications on the horizon with memory and cognition.

Stubbornness in older adults may just be a natural hardening – doing things differently after decades isn’t always fun – or it could be the beginning of the realization that more care may be needed to keep your parent safe and healthy.

Always talk to a doctor if you’re concerned about these sudden changes. Fluctuations in mood and attitude are not symptoms to take lightly, and when they occur more frequently or to a greater degree than before, it may be the cue to hold a conversation.

According to True Link, a financial services company, an estimated $36.48 billion is lost annually due to elder financial abuse, including phone and email scams. But the worst share of losses were due to “deceptive but technically legal tactics” used to exploit seniors.¹

Given the scope of financial fraud your parent may be susceptible to, it may be time to take a look into finances to be sure they’re competently managing their money. A few splurges on personal items may not be much to worry about, but consistent contributions to questionable organizations or telemarketers may raise red flags.

Although financial mismanagement isn’t a definitive sign of mental decline, it could suggest a more suitable and protective environment like a senior community should be on the table.

Even if your mom or dad has slowed down a bit, it’s likely they’re still itching to go out on the town or at least meet with old friends and see family often. Humans are social creatures, and that fact doesn’t carry any less weight in older age.

So, if you see your mom or dad staying in more than usual and declining to go out for events, gatherings or family functions, a change may be needed. The social opportunity presented by senior living could be just that. You can only be around so much, and though the dedication is there, your parent could need a new environment to spark a renewed interest in being more social.