It can be troubling to watch your loved one struggle with aging. At some point, you may notice signs that your parent or older relative might need to consider assisted living. The team at Care Placement can help you find an ideal facility. But if you are not sure whether or not it is time to make the move, the following are some common indications that it could be the smart choice.
1. Your Loved One Needs Daily Help
Does your mom or dad have trouble getting dressed, going to the bathroom or bathing by themselves, or preparing adequate meals? These are signs that they need some level of care, perhaps assisted living. In some cases, you can simply make things a bit easier around the house. Provide them with clothing that is easy to put on and remove. Install bars in the tub and around the toilet to help improve bathroom safety. Help them plan easy-to-prepare meals and help with grocery shopping, as well. You also could contact a service that delivers one or two meals per day to your loved one. A part-time or full-time caregiver also can be employed to help with these daily tasks.
Download a checklist to help ensure your home is safe for an at-risk family member.
2. Your Loved One Has Trouble Managing The Household
When you move into assisted living, all of your household management tasks just disappear. This includes cleaning, making home repairs, doing laundry, cooking meals, dealing with yardwork and paying a dozen or more bills. After moving into a community for assisted living, the only bills you still will need to handle is the monthly fee for the facility, your cell phone bill, medical bills and perhaps credit card bills. If your loved one is paying bills late and the house and yard are in disrepair, it might be time to consider lessening their burdens with a move into assisted living.
3. Your Loved One Is Injured Frequently
As we age, our bones weaken and often we become a bit unsteady on our feet. If you see that your loved one is often falling or getting hurt, a move into assisted living might be a good way to prevent the injuries that are common among older adults. While not all falls can be prevented, at an assisted living facility, there is always a staff member on hand to help, which can bring great peace of mind to your loved one as well as other family members.
If you choose to stay in your home rather than opting for assisted living, you can take a few steps to increase safety. Remove all of the area rugs in the house and ensure that carpeting is free from lumps. Install safety bars in the bathrooms and perhaps a walk-in bathtub. Adjustable beds also can improve safety, and there are many clever gadgets that can make it easier to get out of chairs.
Organize frequently used items so that your loved one doesn’t have to bend or reach or stand on a step stool in order to reach them. Installing a security system that includes a wearable necklace or bracelet also can make it easier for your parent or loved one to summon help if needed.
Read more ways to Prevent Injuries and Falls.
4. Your Loved One Has Dementia
During the early stages and perhaps middle stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s, caring for your loved one at home often is very manageable. There are many strategies that can help family members and the person with dementia, better manage this disease and the impact it has on all of your lives. However, as dementia progresses, it can be extremely difficult to provide adequate care, so at some point, assisted living can be the safest option for your loved one. We can help you find a home that specializes in memory care.
Learn more about Dementia.
5. Your Loved One Is Isolated
Sometimes your parent or loved one is able to handle most tasks by themselves, but maybe they no longer drive and don’t have easy access to transportation. It’s easy for seniors to become isolated and lonely, and this is a huge advantage of assisted living.
When you live at a home for assisted living, there will always be people around. Plenty of activities are scheduled during the day to keep you occupied. You don’t have to worry about spending your days playing nothing but bingo. These days, assisted living facilities provide a wide variety of interesting activities that include art classes, book clubs, exercise classes, gardening clubs, poker nights, wine socials, walking clubs and much more. Being able to spend your days taking part in activities you enjoy and not having to worry about managing a household and handling chores is a huge perk of assisted living, and you are sure to make some interesting friends along the way.
If you see these signs that your loved one might need assisted living, give us a call. We can prepare a list of pre-screened homes for assisted living that fit your needs and budget. After you have your list, you can begin visiting facilities and narrowing down your options.