It can sometimes feel surreal taking care of the folks that once took care of you when you were little. It’s part of the natural cycle of life. But sometimes, aging parents want to resist that cycle, which is understandable. They don’t want to feel like they need to be taken care of. They want to keep their independence. The discussion is necessary and it is best to start that conversation early, while your parents are still in good health. Doing so will make the process less stressful and will give them the opportunity to make decisions for themselves when they are still of sound mind.

As your parents grow older, you must learn to be in tune with any physical or mental changes, as well as your parents’ abilities to take care of themselves. The following list are some changes that indicate it may be time for home health care of nursing homes.

1. Unexplained weight loss.
2. Missed medical appointments/not taking medication.
3. A significant shift in mood or behavior.
4. Trouble moving safely around the home.
5. An unkempt home/not cooking or eating properly.
6. Difficulty performing daily activities.

These are all potential warning signs and unfortunately, your parents may not be forthcoming about all the information. Instead, you must do a bit of detective work and keep watchful eyes.