There is no choice tougher for an adult child than having to decide whether to put their parent in a retirement home or allow them to go on living by themselves. Luckily, the days when going into a retirement home was considered a death sentence are long gone.

Assisted living is something that more and more senior citizens are turning to during their retirement years, but it’s hard to for their children to know when the need has finally arisen for them to be there. With that in mind, this list will give you a few of the top signs that your loved one might be in need of an assisted living home.

1. Letting Things Go Around Their Home

One of the first signs that your elderly parent could be in need of an assisted living facility is that they are letting things go around their home. For example, if you go into your parents home and it is extremely cluttered, plants are dead or dying, dirty dishes appear to have been sitting for a while, and their pets seem to be left unattended, then it may be time to check into a retirement home, especially if your parents are normally on top of things and very neat.

2. They Are Neglecting their Personal Hygiene

If your normally well-dressed, well-kept parent is suddenly wearing dirty, wrinkled clothing and it looks like they aren’t taking showers the way they should, this could be a sign of a problem. Some people as they age, whether from physical or mental limitations, start to have problems performing the daily tasks they could once do with ease. If you notice this in your elderly parent, then it might be time to check into a retirement home that provides assisted living.

3. Their Personality is Changing

It’s normal for people to slow down as they age. However, if your loved one is showing signs of withdrawing from family and friends and they were once social people, then it might be time to check into another solution, other than them staying in their own home. Most assisted living facilities have activities and residents that will hopefully draw your parent out of their shell and back into having fun with their peers. Lack of enthusiasm for life, depression, and no longer wanting to leave the house are signs that your parent needs a change.

4. An Increasing Number of Falls and Accidents

The last thing any child wants to imagine is their parent laying on the floor hurt with no one around to help them. This is, however, one of the top concerns and the top signs that your parent needs assisted living care. If the number of falls and accidents your parent is having seems to be increasing, then it might be time to make other arrangements for their living situation.

5. Driving Skills Are Worsening

If your loved one is constantly getting traffic tickets or having minor accidents when they are on the road, then it might be time to consider other alternatives for the way that they get around town. Driving under the speed limit and tailgating are also signs that something isn’t quite right. A reputable retirement home will have options for your parent to get around when they need and want too, without putting themselves and others on the road in danger.

These are just a few of the top warning signs out there that your loved one might need to move into an assisted living facility. Taken by themselves, these signs are not that alarming, when combined, however, they become a problem.