Visiting Aging Parents for the Holidays? 6 Signs It May Be More Than Normal Aging according to San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A holiday visit may be your first full day in months with an aging parent. Dad repeats the same story three times. Mom struggles with the pie recipe she's made for 40 years.
Families often call after the holidays, says Gloria Vo, executive director of Frank Residences, an assisted living and memory care community at the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living. Vo is trained in dementia support through the Crisis Prevention Institute.
"Paying attention isn't overreacting," said Vo. "Nobody needs to diagnose their mom at the dinner table. Notice what's changed, write it down and call her doctor."
November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. About 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association
Normal aging or something more?
Forgetting a name but recalling it later is often normal. These changes are worth a call to the doctor:
- Repeating questions or stories in the same conversation
- Trouble with familiar tasks, like a favorite recipe or paying bills
- Getting lost on familiar routes or not knowing the month
- Missed medications, unpaid bills or falling for scams
- Withdrawal, suspicion, anxiety or irritability
- Expired food, burned pots or a suddenly cluttered home
"What you're looking for is a pattern, something new that keeps happening or gets worse," said Vo.
What to do now
- Write it down. "She asked what day it was four times in an hour" helps a doctor more than "she's been off."
- See a primary care doctor. Annual medical wellness visits include a cognitive check. Bring notes and a medication list.
- Rule out treatable causes like medication side effects, thyroid problems or depression.
- Don't wait. FDA-cleared blood tests can aid early evaluation and some approved treatments can slow disease progression in people with early-stage Alzheimer's.
- Plan while your parent can take part in legal, financial and care decisions.
- Get support from the Alzheimer's Association's free 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900).
"Families who come to us after a crisis almost always wish they'd started the conversation sooner," said Vo.
Read more: How to Choose a Memory Care Facility: A Complete Guide for Families.
Frank Residences offers 66 private memory care suites in small neighborhoods where residents have similar care needs. Staff plan each day around residents' interests and preferences. Families also receive support and education.
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SOURCE San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living
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