It’s the time you’ve looked forward to all year…the holidays. As you happily walk through the door of your parents’ home, ready for your favorite home-cooked holiday dishes and time spent laughing with loved ones, you look past the few colorful Christmas lights in the living room and notice that something is not quite right. Your parents aren’t looking as vibrant as they sound on the phone when you have your weekly call. Their usually tidy home isn’t as neat as they’ve always kept it. Your gut tells you that there’s cause for concern, and more than likely… you’re probably right.

For aging parents, it can be tough to admit, or even recognize that their ability to take care of themselves is in decline. And since you live a few hours away, you aren’t there as often as you’d like to be to keep an eye on things. The holidays become your opportunity dig a little deeper and see for yourself how your parents are really doing if you know what to look for. By paying close attention to a few key areas, you can find out where mom and dad might could use some extra help.