Visiting your parents this Christmas? Here are seven clues they might need help at home

Noticeable weight loss, poor personal hygiene and a general unkempt appearance (unironed clothes, unshaven face or un-brushed hair) are tell-tale signs your parents are struggling. Getting in and out of the shower, doing the laundry or preparing meals might have become too physically demanding for them. Look out for noticeable bruises on arms and legs, as these can signal trips and falls.

Loose towel rails or ripped shower curtains can indicate your parents are using these bathroom fixtures as a support to hoist themselves up, or prevent themselves from falling. An occupational therapy assessment can determine whether bathroom modifications are needed to keep your parents safe.

Piles of dirty laundry, overgrown lawns and gardens, dirty windows and a build-up of dust and clutter can be red flags, especially if your parents are usually house-proud. Again, day-to-day tasks like housekeeping might have become too physically challenging for your parents.

If your parents’ memory or eyesight has deteriorated, once simple tasks like collecting the mail or paying bills can become a burden. It might be worth setting up auto-payments to avoid electricity and water getting switched off.

Carrying groceries, getting to the supermarket or remembering to ‘click and collect’ may have become too much. Perhaps your parents don’t have the energy to prepare nutritious meals, or they’ve burnt or cut themselves cooking dinner before and are afraid of hurting themselves again. Ask your parents how often they go grocery shopping (or get groceries delivered) and whether they’re still cooking their favourite meals. This might prompt them to ask for help.

If your parents are no longer legally allowed to drive, or they don’t feel comfortable sitting behind the wheel, it can be much harder for them to attend appointments or stay connected with their community, which is key to mental wellbeing.

Now that things are opening up again, ask your parents how they feel about heading into town. Can they still drive? Can they take public transport, ask family and friends for a lift, or join local planned activity groups with transport provided? These are all options that are worth talking about.

We’ve all had to put a stop to our favourite social activities over the past few years due to COVID-19. But thankfully, life is slowly and surely returning to normal. If your parents were active members of the Lions’, bridge, bowls, craft or golf club pre-COVID-19, do they intend on returning? Have they caught up for coffee and cake with their closest friends? Are they going on their usual outings again?

Being in crowds or near other people can be overwhelming after we have spent all of this time keeping our distance. But if your parents don’t seem interested in leaving the house, it might be time for a candid conversation. Maintaining social connections is really important for all of us, so it’s worth talking about how your parents can do that in a safe and meaningful way.