It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As we celebrate the season with holiday parties and family dinners, relatives from near and far will gather together around the dining room table. Many family members may not have seen each other for a while, including your elderly parent. From these events, you may see your parent’s behavior or health in a different light.
Perhaps your sibling, who doesn’t see mom as frequently as you, notices a significant change in her behavior. These changes can happen gradually over time, and you may not notice. Or perhaps you made the long trek home from another city to find dad much frailer than the last time you visited. Your parent might act differently in a noisy crowd than during a quiet visit in their home. Make a mental note of how your parent behaves during the holidays to determine how they are doing—physically and mentally.
There are a few signs that you and your family should be aware of, especially if your mom or dad is living on their own, to see if they might need assistance.
1. Weight Loss. When you hug mom, are you surprised that she has lost a significant amount of weight? Does your dad have no appetite and pushes food around his plate? Are their clothes too big? If you have noticed a substantial change in weight or poor eating habits, this could be a sign of a variety of conditions from poorly fitting dentures to a reduced sense of taste to a more significant health problem or loss of appetite from drug interactions.
2. Hearing Loss. Is your parent able to track a conversation or do they participate in a discussion? If they have hearing loss, they may choose to isolate themselves at a party because they are embarrassed. Hearing loss can lead to depression and loneliness if left untreated.
3. Disheveled Appearance. Does your dad come to a holiday event in dirty clothing without shaving? Does your mom, who dresses impeccably for every occasion, arrive without her hair combed or in an inappropriate outfit? This isn’t a matter of fashion but rather if they can take care of their basic needs like bathing, grooming, and doing laundry. And this sign could be indicative of other tasks that are too difficult for them—cooking, grocery shopping, managing their medications, etc.
4. Trouble Getting Out of a Chair. Does your parent struggle to get to their feet without help? Do you notice a loss of strength? This can be a sign that they are not getting enough exercise, a deterioration in their physical abilities, or a marker of an undetected disease or future disability.
5. Uncertainty and Confusion. Parties and events will take your parent out of their daily routine, and they can feel a little unsure or tired, which is normal. But if they are overwhelmed, extremely agitated, or confused about where they are or who others are, this behavior can be a sign of dementia.
At Aegis Living, we want your family to have a joyful, safe, and healthy holiday season. Enjoy your time together because these occasions are precious for your family. But keep in mind that your parent might be uncomfortable or too embarrassed to ask for help, so you will need to look for outward signs or changes in their behavior. We recommend that if you have any concerns about the health of your parent to make an appointment with their physician.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.