If nothing else,  spouses and/or their adult children of older adults should make note of these three most critical areas which, if changes are noticed, next steps need to be planned.

Safety...have there been fires in the kitchen, calls from a parent who has gotten lost in their car, unreported accidents or more than one fall in the bathroom??

Mood..have you seen your older family withdrawing from previously enjoyed activities, or increasingly isolating themselves?  Are they blue, eating less, sleeping poorly,   and appear to feel  hopeless?

Cognition…have they shown signs of losing skills they once were capable of (washing the clothes, setting the security alarm, setting up and/or taking  their medications as prescribed?)

These are examples within the top 3 most important changes that should alert you to call a family meeting, observe these changes more closely and see if professional assistance…geriatric social worker, geriatrician, neurologist…might be needed to do a preliminary evaluation.

Waiting will only narrow your options….act now!