12 Signs It’s Time to Move into an Assisted Living Community

November 20th, 2018 | For Family Members

When you're young, you may desire with multiple floors and big kitchens for entertaining friends and raising your family. We want beautiful yards with gardens and lush landscapes; dogs, cats, fish, and all kinds of things. As we age, those things might become difficult to maintain and upkeep; like cooking meals, bathing, laundry, running errands, taking medicine, operating electronics and even once-easy tasks like using household appliances all become tougher and tougher.

The first questions is not “how to get into assisted living with no money.” Rather, it is; Am I ready - or is my parent ready for assisted living?

It’s Tough Making the Move to Assisted Living for you or your loved one, We Can Help!

Legend Senior Living Associates have fielded many questions from loved ones about how to move a parent with dementia to assisted living. It’s necessary when things that your parents used to do are now impossible to do independently or when their quality of care decreases to the point where it’s dangerous and potentially life threatening for them to not have some sort of aid.

More than 15 million Americans are currently devoting love, time and care to aging loved ones with Alzheimer’s and Dementia care needs– and sometimes it can be difficult, expensive, and time consuming; that’s why assisted living residences are there to give you a helping hand!

Here’s list of 12 symptoms and signs it’s time for assisted living:

Aggression with dementia or Alzheimer’s is one of the first signs that it’s time to start considering placement in assisted living , simply to ensure the safety of everyone. A condition called “Sundowning” often causes aggression or agitation in the evening.
When caregiving is causing “Caregiver Stress” or burnout – these signs can be just as telling as other symptoms. This stress is often damaging to the emotional relationship between you and your loved ones.
When you notice an increase in care needs, or escalating care (like helping get someone to the bathroom or helping support most/all a person’s weight) that can put a caregiver at risk.
Wandering (especially in later stages of dementia) is one of the leading risks of slip and fall hazards.
Ensuring seniors are eating healthy, balanced meals, getting vitamins, and have a supply of fresh nutritious food in the refrigerator and pantry that isn’t expired. Many aging adults and those with memory needs forget to remove old, expired, or spoiled food.
Aging adults with memory care needs or other seniors taking medication dosage correctly and at the right time. Assisted living residences provide senior’s medication management and medication problem avoidance. Medical staff at assisted living residences also know things like the safest NSAID (like ibuprofen) for seniors (over 65 years) as well as other medications.
When you need medical care or supervision for your loved one in the case of an emergency. Assisted living residences are perfect when there’s a risk of a potential health issue, slip and fall, or wandering as there’s always staff available and medical help a few minutes away.
To keep important financial tasks like paying bills on time, as well as opening and disposing of mail to prevent mail fraud or identity theft.
To help seniors get around without hurting themselves. Senior drivers often exhibit physical and mental changes as they age; like slower response time, losses in clarity and vision, drowsiness due to medications, reduction of the ability to focus, or may even judge distances incorrectly – and these mistakes can be deadly. Assisted living residences provide free transportation services and safety for everyone on the road.
When your loved one struggles with dressing, changing clothing, or is unable to shower or groom themselves. Often, seniors that aren’t in assisted living homes can go days without showering or changing clothes.
When your aging loved one isn’t engaging in their favorite hobbies, talking and socializing, or going out and about.
If your loved one is exhibiting depression, loneliness, isolation, or the inability to cook or clean without assistance. This goes along with being unable to do the things they once loved to do.

Making a Transition to Assisted Living for Seniors Also Makes the Transition Smoother on You

While making the decision to move a senior into assisted living is a tough choice, making a transition now rather than later helps adjust and keeps your ageing loved ones safer. You can start the touring process with assisted living communities; finding friendly staff, comfortable features, activities and friendships for your loved ones, as well as a clean environment with a pleasant dining experience and peace of mind.

You’ll soon find that assisted living residences only require a small initial adjustment before they’re the best opportunity for socialization, dining, activities, personalized care and effective care action plans in place (leaving you in charge without physically doing it all yourself) which is a large burden off of your shoulders.

To read more Helpful Articles, Click Here!