# Signs it may be time for more support

Canonical: https://assistedlivingguides.com/checklists/signs-it-may-be-time/

Checklist · Updated 2026-09-29

A printable checklist to track everyday changes in your parent's daily life, health, safety and social life over a few weeks.

Print this list and use it over a few weeks, not in a single visit. Jot down dates and specific examples next to any item that worries you. Patterns matter more than one bad day.

Bring your notes when you talk with your parent, their doctor, and your family. Specific examples make the conversation calmer and more concrete. For help with what to do next, see our guide [Is it time?](https://assistedlivingguides.com/guides/is-it-time/index.md).

## Daily life

- [ ] Is your parent eating regular meals, and is the food in the fridge fresh?
- [ ] Are they bathing, dressing and changing clothes as usual?
- [ ] Are bills paid and mail opened on time?
- [ ] Is the house kept up the way it used to be?

## Health and safety

- [ ] Have there been any falls, near-falls or unexplained bruises?
- [ ] Are medications taken correctly and refilled on time?
- [ ] Have you noticed new memory lapses or confusion?
- [ ] Have they gotten lost or had trouble driving on familiar routes?
- [ ] Have there been kitchen scares, like a stove left on?

## Home and social life

- [ ] Are they keeping up with friends, hobbies or faith groups?
- [ ] Do they seem lonely, withdrawn or down more often?
- [ ] Can they get to appointments and errands without help?
- [ ] Is a family caregiver feeling stretched or worn out?

Costs, rules and services vary by state and by community. Use this site to prepare, then confirm details with the community and your state licensing agency.

## Sources

- [What is Long-Term Care? (Administration for Community Living)](https://acl.gov/ltc/basic-needs/what-is-long-term-care)