11 Signs It Might Be Time for Assisted Living
It can be challenging to decide when the right time is to move into an assisted living community. You may wonder whether your aging parents or loved one would be more comfortable at home or safer in a community where someone is always available to help. As health concerns arise, it’s difficult to know when to make the move. That’s why we at CarePatrol have compiled this list of 11 signs that it might be time for assisted living to help you navigate your decision.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a senior living option available to older adults who need additional support due to various physical, mental, or emotional needs. These living communities offer a secure environment for seniors to receive basic care while still maintaining a certain level of independence. Residents live in apartment-style private units with access to amenities such as workout facilities, indoor and outdoor common areas, and group events.
Assisted living communities provide assistance with daily tasks, medication management, transportation, and overall well-being. They are usually equipped to offer limited medical care, although those with chronic health conditions that require intensive medical treatment would likely be more well-suited in a nursing home facility. Assisted living communities strive to create a supportive environment that enables aging adults to continue living fulfilling lives.
11 Signs It Might Be Time For an Assisted Living Community
1. Struggling with Daily Tasks
You might notice that your loved one has begun to struggle with daily tasks, such as personal hygiene and self-care, as routines like showering, brushing their teeth, and shaving. There are many causes for this, from physical disability to mental health concerns. Regardless, this poor hygiene can snowball, perpetuating the issue if your loved one never receives the proper care to get them back on track. In an assisted living community, they’ll receive both reminders and assistance with these tasks.
2. Safety Concerns
Is your mom or dad experiencing frequent falls, difficulty navigating stairs, or other concerning safety and mobility issues? They may benefit from moving to an assisted living community, where they will have access to 24/7 assistance in case of a fall. Assisted living communities also have various safety features in place to prevent as many of these accidents as possible. Handrails, elevators, and stair lifts, along with floors free of rugs and other tripping hazards, all make assisted living communities a safe place for individuals struggling with mobility issues.
3. Changes in Mood & Behavior
Changes in mood and behavior can be caused by many things that may be hard to spot until you notice how they are affecting your loved one. They may be frustrated that they are no longer accomplishing tasks like they used to, feeling alone and isolated, struggling with mental health, or in pain due to changes in physical health. These can all be signs that an assisted living community would be beneficial to them to help monitor and assist with these changes, so any changes in mood and behavior should be taken seriously.
4. Cognitive Decline
With old age often comes some cognitive decline, although the level of which can vary from person to person. Cognitive impairments, such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or new communication issues, can all be signs of cognitive decline. Eventually, these issues can lead to safety concerns, such as forgetting to turn off the stove or getting lost in previously familiar places.
If your loved one is struggling with severe dementia or Alzheimer’s, a memory care facility may be more suited for them. Some assisted living communities have memory care units and can accommodate those in more advanced stages of cognitive decline, but others may not be equipped for that. CarePatrol can help determine what facility would be the correct fit.
5. Isolation & Loneliness
Many seniors find themselves feeling lonely at some point. Social interactions may become fewer and farther between as their daily routines change. Retirement, the loss of a spouse, or physical inability to drive or participate in previous hobbies can all contribute to lower social engagement and decreased emotional well-being.
Assisted living communities help your loved one gain social connections through organized events, communal spaces, and being surrounded by those in a similar stage of life.
6. Declining Health & Weight Loss
Unexplained weight loss is one noticeable factor that your loved one’s health is declining. This could be due to poor nutrition, forgetting to eat meals, or other physical health issues. Significant weight loss should always be a warning sign to examine their daily routine more closely and determine where the problem is originating.
Assisted living communities provide three nutritious meals a day, ensuring that your loved one receives a balanced diet of healthy food. They also host various fitness classes to support physical health.
7. Difficulty Managing Medications
Forgetting to take medications or taking too much poses a serious health risk. Assisted living communities provide assistance with medication management to ensure your loved one takes their medications on time. They often have doctors and nurses on staff who can verify the effectiveness of medications and update prescriptions as needed.
8. Neglecting Home Maintenance
Failing to attend to household chores can eventually become a health risk. At assisted living communities, all housekeeping chores are handled by staff members. This allows your loved one to live in a clean, healthy environment even if they are unable to perform cleaning tasks.
9. Forgetting to Pay Bills
Is your loved one having trouble keeping up with bills? Are they getting late notices, having their utilities shut off, or paying late fees? Cognitive decline can cause forgetfulness, making it harder to remember some of these daily tasks, even with unpaid bills lying around as reminders. At an assisted living community, all bills are included in the monthly fee, thereby preventing this issue.
10. Family Caregiver Burnout
Many families choose to care for their loved ones themselves when their health begins to decline, prolonging the time before they need outside care. However, these family caregivers often burn out, either because they feel they no longer have time for their own life, are struggling to give the level of care their loved one needs, or are dealing with the emotions of seeing their parent’s health decline.
When family members can no longer properly care for their loved one, assisted living provides a comfortable, home-like environment with 24/7 assistance.
11. Recommended by the Doctor
At a certain level, an elderly adult’s health will decline to the point where they need more constant or specialized care than they can receive at home. This is when a doctor will recommend that an assisted living community is in the best interest of their health and safety.
How CarePatrol Can Help
At CarePatrol, we help connect you and your loved ones with senior care options that fit your lifestyle, medical needs, and budget. Our Local Senior Care Advisors have extensive knowledge of the assisted living communities, nursing homes, and in-home care providers in your area to help you make an informed decision for yourself or your loved one. When you reach out to a member of our team, you’ll follow a carefully curated list of steps to make your decision process simple yet informed.
Share Your Wants & Needs
Our care advisors listen to everything you are looking for in a senior living community, from amenities to medical care. We’ve already pre-vetted the care communities in your area, so all we need to do is compare your needs to what they offer to find the perfect home.
Tour Facilities
We’ll choose three communities for you to tour, allowing you to have options without feeling overwhelmed. During these tours, we’ll answer any questions you may have about the community, life in assisted living, the move-in process, and beyond.
Explore Financial Options
Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or VA benefits? It can feel incredibly overwhelming to see the price tag on an assisted living community and not know if you qualify for financial assistance or where the money is going to come from. However, our Local Senior Care Advisors at CarePatrol are well-versed in all the different ways to pay for senior living, and we’re here every step of the way to help you navigate your options.
Choose an Option
Armed with all the knowledge you’ll need, this is when you choose which option is the best choice for you or your loved one. We’ll help you through the paperwork process and continue to answer any questions that may arise.
Receive Check-Ins
We don’t abandon you once the care option is selected. Our advisors continue to check in to ensure the care option is still a perfect fit. If it isn’t, we will help you navigate that as well, determining what isn’t working and which facility partner will provide the necessary assistance and comfort.
Find Your Ideal Assisted Living Community Today
Did these 11 signs that it might be time for assisted living strike a chord with you? If your aging parents check any of the above boxes, an assisted living community may be the best option to maintain their overall well-being. CarePatrol is here for both you and your loved one to make the journey easier, simpler, and more personal. Reach out to one of our senior care advisors today to start exploring assisted living options and find the perfect fit for you.