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9 signs it’s time for assisted living

9 signs it’s time for assisted living

Aging is a natural part of life, but it often impairs cognitive functions, affects mobility, and raises health concerns. While it might not always be possible to be at the service of the elderly, assisted living can extend a helping hand in such cases. These communities provide safe and comfortable spaces for older adults and help them carry out daily tasks. Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to consider assisted living.

What is assisted living?
It is a supportive environment tailored to meet the needs of those requiring assistance with daily activities. One can approach such a community for oneself or a loved one. Striking conversations around assisted living may seem difficult, but these services often prove invaluable once they’re tried out. They instantly enhance the quality of life of an older individual by helping them retain their independence, providing engaging activities, the company of like-minded individuals, and opportunities to socialize.

Signs it’s time for assisted living
Inability to upkeep the house
There are many aspects to maintaining a house, from vacuuming, cleaning, dusting, bed-making, laundry, and interior maintenance to taking out the trash, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and much more. If one is unable to keep the house in a functioning condition, which includes regular cleaning, maintenance, and repairs, it may be a sign that additional support is necessary. This might be especially recommended for 55+ individuals since care facilities look into all of the above-mentioned key maintenance tasks.

Lack of personal hygiene
Another sign may be one’s inability to maintain personal hygiene, including bathing or brushing teeth independently. Employees at these care facilities can also help individuals with these tasks and make their daily living healthier and more comfortable.

Issues with mobility
These may include anything from not being able to climb stairs, get out of bed at night, sit or stand comfortably for long, and more. These issues may occur either due to aging or certain health concerns. Often, a home filled with many items may cause even more mobility issues for seniors. Assisted living spaces offer senior-friendly facilities and other aids like walking sticks, wheelchairs, or canes. Their spaces are also designed to ensure maximum independent mobility for seniors, including wheelchair-friendly stairs and elevators.

Experiencing frequent falls
If one experiences repeated falls and lack of immediate assistance, it may again highlight the need for more support or assisted living. If assisted living isn’t preferred yet, one can also invest in a medical alert system for reassurance during emergencies. These factors, however, are already taken into consideration at assisted living facilities.

Worsening health concerns
A common reason people opt for assisted living is if the already prevailing health condition of a senior seems to get worse and is accompanied by symptoms like forgetfulness or confusion. The requirements may vary from one person to another. For example, a senior with advanced Alzheimer’s disease or progressive dementia may require more assistance than one living with prolonged diabetes. Alternatively, those with weakened immunity and slower recovery may require help. Apart from this, the inability to handle one’s health condition and meet one’s medical requirements can also be a cause of concern. This can include missing the doctor’s appointment or following the required health recommendations. It’s best to talk to one’s doctor about one’s health and needs before considering assisted living.

Already tried at-home care
Many families try out professional at-home care to support their elderly relatives. However, some conditions or circumstances may not allow at-home care to address all of their needs adequately. If one has observed that at-home care of the loved one isn’t as effective as before, it may indicate that they require additional support. In such cases, transitioning to a care facility can provide the necessary care and assistance.

Unable to track finances
Aging may decline one’s ability to grasp or handle financial aspects of one’s life. In such cases, a more controlled and comfortable environment of an assisted living facility can be considered where the member may feel stress-free and at ease.

Wandering away or forgetting details and directions
Wandering away from home or experiencing difficulty remembering details and directions can be significant indicators that a person may benefit from assisted living. These behaviors are usually the signs of cognitive decline or memory impairment, and they pose a serious threat to one’s safety if they remain unaddressed. Assisted living facilities are equipped to provide the necessary support and supervision for individuals experiencing such challenges. They also ensure their overall well-being and offer assistance with daily tasks and activities, which can be a great help to older individuals.

Lack of fulfillment
In many instances, older individuals experience a sense of disconnection from their community and may even experience loneliness or depression due to a lack of social interaction. This may worsen if they face mobility issues, have recently lost their loved one, or are unable to nurture other friendships. The facilities not only have other residents to socialize with but also encourage interactions, hold events and activities, fitness classes, happy hours, game nights, and much more. All these activities can help build social connections and provide supportive environments for seniors to foster meaningful relationships. These new friendships can also help prevent senior isolation, foster a sense of belonging, and encourage seniors to find new hobbies and a newfound zest for life.

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