Five Signs Your Loved One May Be Ready for Assisted Living
Maybe you’ve noticed how your mom is not as active or social as she used to be. Perhaps dad has been forgetting to take his medication. Or maybe you opened your loved one’s refrigerator and found little to no food. Often, those you love may not realize they need more care than they can get at home. Or, they may know they need help but are struggling to accept it. Because of this, it often falls to family members to determine when a loved one is in need of assisted living help.
Here are five signs it may be time to consider an assisted living community:
1. Recent Falls
Fear of falling or trouble walking may limit activities and social engagements. Mobility issues are extremely common in seniors and there are many places within the home where they can trip. If your senior loved one falls, how long might they be stuck before help arrives? Frequent falls are a sign it's time for additional help.
2. Changes in Personal Appearance
Seniors often have difficulty admitting they need help with grooming, dressing and basic hygiene. Have you noticed that your loved one has stopped taking care of themselves like they used to? There are many signs that someone is having a difficult time bathing, which puts your senior loved one at risk for infection and increases the likelihood of mental and emotion decline.
3. Medical Needs
Everyone forgets to take medication every once in a while, but if it becomes a habit, that is a sure sign your loved one needs additional assistance. When recovering from surgery or a heart attack or managing a condition like diabetes, small problems can quickly turn into larger health issues without the right medical attention.
4. Memory Loss
Seniors with memory loss can overlook problems or dangers. Mostly commonly, seniors forget to eat, take medication, get lost, fail to make appointments, have trouble keeping up with bills, or neglect their pets. There are many red flags related to forgetfulness and memory loss, self-neglect or elder financial exploitation.
5. Hidden Caregiver Costs
Many caregivers miss work or have less time for their children or spouses when they care for a loved one, and don’t stop to realize the financial and emotional costs involved. Learn more about the hidden costs of caregiving here.
If you begin to see any of these signs, it’s important to determine the level of care your loved one needs and investigate what options are available. Assisted living offers social opportunities for seniors while also providing care and support for daily activities like bathing, dressing and medication reminders. The earlier you recognize the signs that additional help is becoming a necessity, the more comfortable the transition can be for your loved one.