Why this matters
Risk changes gradually. Families often discover the threshold has been crossed only after a crisis.
Warning signs
- Missed medications or unpaid bills
- Weight loss or an empty refrigerator
- Unsafe cooking
- Unreported falls
- Getting lost
- Poor hygiene or a declining home environment
What families can do
- Arrange daily check-in calls or visits
- Set up meal delivery and a medication dispenser
- Add a personal emergency response system
- Bring in home care hours for the highest-risk parts of the day
- Reassess every few months and after any incident
When to get help
- Contact your Area Agency on Aging for a home assessment
- Any fall, fire risk, wandering event, or medication error warrants a formal reassessment
Related resources
Medically reviewed. Last reviewed August 2026. This page is educational information, not individualized medical advice.