A home safety expert has revealed the five warning signs that elderly parents may be hiding serious mobility problems. And these issues if not addressed could be putting our aging loved ones at a higher risk of suffering dangerous or deadly falls.
According to the NHS ‘Health Survey For England’ data, 22 percent of adults aged 65 and over had unmet needs for help with daily activities, showing many older adults are not receiving the support they require. It also shows mobility problems increase dramatically with age – while 21 percent of adults aged 65-69 need help with daily activities, this jumps to 52 percent among those aged 80 and over.
Now Neil Mckenzie from Halton Stairlifts, who specialises in creating safer home environments for older adults, says spotting five key behavioural changes early could prevent life-threatening accidents.
Mckenzie explained: “Many elderly parents worry about losing their independence, so they often conceal mobility difficulties from their children.
“This reluctance to admit they’re struggling can lead to dangerous situations that might result in serious injury.”
According to Mckenzie, the first important sign to watch out for is a loved-one making excuses to avoid using stairs.
He explained: “If your parent suddenly prefers to stay downstairs or avoids going upstairs until absolutely necessary, this could indicate they’re having trouble with steps.”
The second sign is a noticeable decline in personal hygiene or changes in bathing habits. “Many elderly people find bath time particularly challenging but won’t admit it,” said Mckenzie. “They might start taking fewer baths or showers, or you might notice they’re wearing the same clothes more frequently.”
The NHS Health Survey for England found that 13 percent of adults aged 65 and over need assistance with bathing or showering, yet many don’t receive the help they need.
A third warning sign is unexplained bruises or minor injuries: “If you notice unusual bruises or scrapes that your parent dismisses or can’t explain properly, they might be experiencing falls or bumps they don’t want to tell you about.”
While rearranging furniture or living spaces can be the fourth indicator. Mckenzie added: “Watch for subtle changes in how their home is arranged. Many older adults will create ‘support routes’ through their home, positioning furniture so they can grab onto something while walking.”
Lastly, the fifth sign is declining invitations to leave the house. He went on: “If your usually social parent starts avoiding outings or visits, it could be because they’re worried about navigating different environments.”
The NHS data reveals that 20 percent of adults aged 65 and over need help shopping for food, and 19 percent require assistance with routine housework – tasks that involve moving around both inside and outside the home.
Mckenzie noted that these problems often worsen gradually, making them easy to miss if you see your parent regularly. “The changes happen so slowly that many families don’t notice until there’s a crisis,” he said.
“If you notice any of these warning signs, approach the subject sensitively,” advised Mckenzie. “Focus on solutions that maintain their independence while improving safety, like grab rails in bathrooms or stairlifts for multi-level homes.”
Adults from the most deprived areas were twice as likely to need help with daily activities compared to those in the least deprived areas, according to the NHS survey, highlighting the importance of affordable mobility solutions.
“The goal isn’t to take away independence but to ensure your parent can continue living safely in their own home for as long as possible,” Mckenzie concluded.