Recognizing that an elder parent needs assistance in his or her home marks a big change in an adult’s life. This discovery often comes during a holiday or during a visit if the parent lives far away.

Here are some warning signs that a parent may need home care or other senior housing arrangements:

Unopened mail and bills pile up – Something as simple as decreased vision may make reading mail difficult. Or all of a sudden, managing a checking account becomes difficult. Sometimes, even the simple act of opening the mail seems overwhelming for an aging senior.

An unkempt home, or laundry and dishes piling up – This is especially troubling if a parent has always been neat and orderly.

Unexplained weight loss and food in the refrigerator is uneaten or spoiled – A parent might be unable to get to the store, or they get overwhelmed or confused when preparing a meal.

They might eat just enough, but sometimes their meals aren’t nutritious. A decreased sense of taste is a physical sign of aging, and it might mean that nothing tastes as good as it used to.

Weight loss can also be a sign of illness, dementia, depression or heart failure.

A decline in personal hygiene – Bathing or doing laundry may have become physically challenging, or they may fear falling in the shower or tub.

Missed doctor’s appointments - Though many older people wish to remain in their own homes as long as possible, the physical signs of aging often mandate the need for assistance, and oftentimes a change in living arrangements.

Watch out for these signs, and don’t dismiss them — the help they need is available, so research your options.