The subtle signs your parents' needs might be changing, and what to do next.

Thanks to our brand partner, Australian Unity

Nobody wants to admit their parents are getting older, especially when the changes are so small at first — until one day, they can't be ignored.

It's particularly difficult for those of us in the 'sandwich generation', managing a caring role across generations. Many Millennial and Gen X women are simultaneously raising young kids and dealing with increasing care responsibilities as their parents age — it's a lot to carry. And if this push-pull feels overwhelming at times, that's because it is.

Aside from the general struggle of finding enough hours in the day to look after yourself and your own family, the discomfort of the role-reversal — feeling like you're 'parenting' your own parents — can weigh heavily. There's an emotional complexity to this sort of 'parenting up' that nothing can truly prepare you for, and can have your love, guilt, gratitude and grief all show up at once.

Worse, it's a role nobody really wants to take on. Of course, we'd all prefer that our parents remain the forces of nature we remember from our childhood, but the reality is that simply won't always be the case.

Planning early for the care your parents might need as they age isn't about jumping to worst-case scenarios. It's about creating breathing room — for them and for you — and beginning a conversation about their wellbeing.

Often, the first step is simply noticing the small signs that things might be shifting and exploring preventative care options that help them live comfortably and age well at home.

Signs to look out for that your parents' health might be changing.

Sometimes it's the small things that give you a clue, like everyday tasks starting to feel harder for your parents. A few subtle observations can be a clear sign of how they're managing at home:

While an accident or hospital admission can be a very clear signal that your parents might need support at home, the more subtle signs — like a loss of confidence or hesitance to shower and cook — are easy to miss. It's especially difficult when these are things you don't necessarily want to see, and even harder if you don't live nearby, like noticing these changes when visiting over the holidays.

A good opportunity to make these observations is when you're spending time together outside your usual routines, and outside their comfort zones. Even resistance to a change in routine — like reluctance to join you on a weekend away — can be a subtle indicator of a change in confidence levels.

If you're observing that your parents aren't moving through the world with as much ease as they once did, and that hesitancy is starting to impact their ability to live a safe and fulfilled life, then it could be time to start looking into options for extra support.

What support at home can actually look like.

In 2026, "care" probably looks very different than you imagine. There are an enormous range of options, with flexibility to tailor care to suit your parents' particular needs, including Australian Unity's Home Health & Care. As Australia's largest home health provider, Australian Unity is dedicated to helping people feel empowered in their own homes.

That key word, "empowered", is the critical one here. Accessing care doesn't have to feel like a backwards step, and it certainly shouldn't feel like something that is being forced upon you or your family. With the right guidance, accessing in-home care will significantly improve the quality of life for the people you love so they can live and age well where they love the most: home.

It might look like allied health services, such as a physio visiting your parents at home, an occupational therapist assessing for falls or trip hazards, assistance with personal care like showering, getting ready for the day, or continence management, help with medication reminders, transport to and from appointments, or in-home support with everyday tasks like laundry and cleaning. Importantly, care in 2026 can be adaptable and buildable over time. There's no one-size-fits-all approach because no two living situations, or people, are exactly the same.

Australian Unity's Home Health & Care wants to make accessing care as stress-free as possible for everyone involved. They move at your pace to put the right services in place, and because they're experts at what they do, they can help you anticipate additional needs before they arise.

How to start the conversation.

Starting the conversation can feel like the hardest part. Many people worry about saying the wrong thing or upsetting their parents, but avoiding it rarely makes it easier.

Any discussion about care for ageing parents should prioritise their dignity and autonomy. Approach it as a conversation rather than a decision — something you work through together. Care options should be framed as ways to support your parents at home, rather than as a step towards residential care, and ideally involve shared decision-making.

You can highlight the range of support available, from help with everyday tasks through to more complex care, showing that care is flexible, adaptable, and designed to help your parents stay in their own home for as long as possible. You can explain that this also allows you to spend more quality time with them, rather than managing household chores or waiting in appointments.

You might also approach the conversation as a way to get expert guidance earlier — even if your parents are still managing well day to day. Being proactive about care can help address small changes sooner, give everyone peace of mind, and even help reduce the likelihood of hospital stays or ongoing medical appointments down the track.

A provider like Australian Unity can also help you understand the different ways care can be funded, whether that's through the Support at Home Program, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, or privately funded. Their expert team can help you figure out whether it makes sense to self-manage your parents' care, or to have a team help coordinate and manage support on your behalf.

It's about adding support early, not waiting until something goes wrong.

Most importantly, aim for a discussion that emphasises peace of mind, safety and staying connected as a family. Remember, there is a range of care available, and the beauty of getting assessed for care and reaching out to a provider like Australian Unity is that it helps get the process started.

These conversations rarely get resolved in one go, and that's okay — starting gently, listening openly, and keeping the door open can be enough for now.

Explore Australian Unity's Home Health & Care options online or by calling 1300 160 170.

Featured image: Getty.

Navigating care for your parents can feel overwhelming, but Australian Unity makes it simpler. With options funded through the Support at Home Program, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme or private funding, there's a pathway for every family. Our expert team will assess your needs and guide you toward the right fit — whether that's self‑managing your parents' care or choosing a fully managed plan for greater ease and confidence. No matter your situation, we're here to support you with clarity, compassion and practical advice. Contact us today and let us help you choose the care that feels right.