This week on the Blog, we’re shining the spotlight on the holiday season – specifically the family gatherings that the next few weeks will likely bring. No matter how frequently you and your aging loved ones see each other during the year, there’s something about getting together with family during this festive but stressful season that often lets us “peek behind the curtain” to see how mom and dad are really doing.

Here on the Blog, we’ve posted another article this week specifically focused on spotting the signs of potential cognitive decline. But your folks may be doing fine cognitively and still struggle to keep it all together at home. This article from Senior Living Options, written by site writer Maureen Campaiola, offers several obvious – or less than obvious – warning signs that something may be amiss. Your loved one may need some help to stay safe at home.

Recognize Personal and Environmental Warning Signs

“The holidays are often the only time of year when families gather under one roof for several days in a row,” Campaiola writes. “That extended time together can reveal important changes in an aging parent that quick weekend visits or phone calls simply do not capture.”

In fact, she says, many families pinpoint the holidays as the season when they “finally saw their loved one with fresh eyes.” Some of the signals are obvious, others are more hidden, but observing the signs of decline can leave loved ones feeling emotional, confused, or overwhelmed.

“The goal is not to panic,” Campaiola writes. “The goal is to pay attention and understand what these changes might mean so you can support your loved one before a crisis happens.”

Here are the most common signs that families report noticing during the holidays, along with Campaiola’s guidance in how to handle them. We’ve posed them as questions to ask yourself concerning those you love.

Is Declining Mobility Slowing Them Down?

According to Campaiola, mobility is often one of the first signs of decline as we age. “If your loved one is steady and confident one year but slower, stiffer, or more cautious the next, something has shifted,” she writes.

When interacting with your loved one, look out for common signs of pain or stiffness, like pushing off furniture to stand, taking shorter steps or dragging one foot, and fatigue after short periods of activity. Depending on how much time you spend with them, you may even observe hesitation when dealing with potentially slippery surfaces, like walking outdoors or getting into or out of the shower.

“Even mild balance changes increase fall risk,” Campaiola writes. “Cooler weather can also aggravate joint pain, which makes seniors in Florida unexpectedly stiff in December and January. Falls remain the number one cause of injury for older adults, so noticing mobility shifts early is important.”

Are They Showing Frequent Confusion or Other Cognitive Gaps?

Because holidays represent an interruption in routine and there is more stimulation overall, Campaiola says, families may notice sudden memory lapses in their loved one. “If your loved one appears confused, forgets familiar recipes, struggles to follow conversations, or repeats the same questions, take note,” she writes.

Not all memory lapses will automatically mean cognitive decline, she says, but that’s certainly a possibility. Every unusual sign is cause for extra vigilance, since memory lapses can also point to medication side effects, dehydration, sleep disruptions, or unmanaged chronic illnesses. (Check out a related article this week here on the Blog.)

Are You Noticing Changes in Their Personal Care?

“If grooming, bathing, or dressing habits have noticeably shifted, this may be a sign that personal care tasks have become too hard to manage alone,” Campaiola writes. “Older adults often hide these struggles because they do not want to lose independence or feel like a burden.”

These might manifest themselves in poor hygiene, such as unwashed hair, body odor, or wearing the same clothes repeatedly. It could also look like missed medication doses, clutter on bathroom counters, or expired hygiene products.

Are There Signs of Mismanaging Their Medications?

Any issues with medication can be a significant safety concern and should trigger close attention and intervention.

Campaiola recommends checking the medication area discreetly and looking out for pill bottles that are weeks behind. Look for any expired prescriptions. When talking to your loved one about it, note any confusion about morning and evening medications, skipped doses, or frustration/anxiety about their medication schedules.

“This is one of the clearest indicators that help may be needed,” she writes.

Are You Noticing Weight Loss or Changes in Eating Patterns?

Holiday meals can be very revealing, Campaiola says. “If your loved one barely eats, avoids certain foods due to difficulty chewing, or shows little appetite, something may be wrong.”

Other indications that their eating patterns may be off include loosely-fitting clothing, a nearly empty refrigerator, spoiled or expired food in their fridge or cupboards, and poor hydration habits.

“Weight loss can signal depression, swallowing issues, dental problems, or cognitive decline,” Campaiola writes.

Is Their Home Showing Signs of Neglect?

Chaos in a typically organized home can also be an indicator of problems. Clutter in unsafe areas—like hallways or entryways—can signal a loved one who feels overwhelmed. Piles of laundry, old food sitting out, stacks of unopened mail, and broken or unused household items can also reflect physical limitations, memory challenges, or an inability to keep up with daily tasks.

Are They Withdrawn or Emotionally Changed?

“A parent who once loved holiday traditions might now seem anxious, irritated, tearful, or uninterested,” Campaiola writes. “Many seniors hide emotional struggles because they do not want to worry their children. The holiday season often brings those feelings to the surface.”

If your loved one shows an increase in loneliness, grief, depression, isolation, fear of aging, or early cognitive decline during the holiday season, they may be struggling in deeper ways than you are aware.

Are They Isolated or Socially Disengaged?

Pay close attention to ways that your loved one may be stepping back from activities they once enjoyed and engaged in, Campaiola says.

Reduced involvement in their usual clubs, social groups, community events, or religious activities can signal increased mobility challenges, loss of confidence, memory issues, or anxiety about being in large groups of people.

“This shift is often one of the earliest clues that a senior is beginning to struggle,” Campaiola writes.

Are You Noticing Signs of Disrupted Sleep Patterns?

Sleep is vital for human health and plays a major role in cognitive and physical wellness as we age. Chronic sleep issues can also accelerate cognitive decline.

If your loved one is suffering from insomnia, napping more than usual, or even dozing off during conversations or gatherings, it could be an indicator of anxiety, pain, medication interactions, nighttime confusion, or disrupted circadian rhythms, says Campaiola.

Are They Confused or Overwhelmed About Their Finances?

Financial behavior can also be a key indicator of mental health. When visiting with your loved one, pay attention to any stacks of unpaid bills, duplicate payments, unusual purchases, reluctance to discuss finances, or general confusion about bank accounts or payments.

Campaiola writes, “Financial changes often appear long before families notice physical or cognitive decline.”

How To Have the Conversation About What You Saw

So, you’ve noticed some of these clues and signs. How do you bring it up?

“Talking about these concerns can feel uncomfortable, but avoiding the conversation helps no one. You want to approach it with compassion and clarity,” Campaiola writes.

Here are some of her tips for making sure the conversation goes as smoothly as possible:

Choose a private moment. Don’t bring this up in front of others, Campaiola says. A calm and private space is ideal, at an appropriate moment without feeling rushed.

Be specific. Campaiola urges using gentle language, but not being overly vague. If you noticed they were unsteady on the stairs, for example, tell them that’s what you noticed: “Mom, earlier when you were coming down the stairs, you seemed to be hesitating. Tell me about that.”

Be willing to listen. “Give your loved one space to share how they are feeling. They may reveal frustrations or fears they have been hiding,” Campaiola writes.

Present options, not commands. Let your loved one tell you what kind of help would feel most supportive to them, and let them speak into what happens next.

Ask for professional help. “A primary care visit is a good starting point,” Campaiola writes. “If you need help evaluating living options, a senior living advisor can guide you without pressure.” This is also a good time to solicit the help of a geriatric care manager.

Check in as much as you can. Simple weekly calls can make a meaningful difference, says Campaiola.

Don’t Ignore the Signs Until a Crisis Strikes

“Most families who reach out for help say the same thing: the signs were there long before the crisis, but they did not know what they were looking at,” Campaiola writes. “Seeing these changes early is an opportunity, not a burden. It gives your family time to plan thoughtfully rather than react in panic.”

It’s vital to remember that you are not trying to take anything away from your loved one. Instead, you are trying to keep them safe, protect their dignity, and encourage their independence in this chapter of their life.

Campaiola concludes, “Holiday visits offer a rare and honest glimpse into how an aging parent is truly doing. If you noticed some of these signs this year, you are not alone. Many families face the same realization during this season. What matters most is how you respond. When you approach the situation with empathy and a clear plan, you help your loved one stay safe, supported, and connected in the year ahead.”

(originally reported at https://yourkeytoseniorlivingoptions.com)