How to know when it’s time for assisted living
This holiday season families and friends everywhere are planning to spend time together, making new
memories and reminiscing about old ones.
Holiday visits are a time to enjoy favorite traditions, but they can also be a time of discovery for the loved ones of seniors. Family members often notice changes in aging among older loved ones that may not be obvious during a brief visit or phone call.
Many times these can be attributed to normal aging, such as occasional forgetfulness. But if family members notice something that causes worry, taking the time to discuss these concerns with your loved ones can be the key to their successful next step.
“When you spend an extended period of time together, changes that seemed subtle may have become more apparent, or may occur with greater intensity” said Beverly Sanborn, Vice President of Program Development at Belmont Village Senior Living. “If you see noticeable changes in your parents at the
holidays, then they may be struggling with these issues in their daily lives as well.”
According to Sanborn, common indicators that it may be time to consider a higher level of care and support include:
Forgetfulness or difficulty coming up with names of loved ones or common words
Unusual lack of upkeep of house or property (unread mail, trash piled up, food left out, etc.) Decreased ability to perform simple tasks Issue avoidance due to lack of understanding Disorientation of time and place
Loss of judgment — illogical or out-of-character problem solving Weight loss — not cooking or eating regularly
Poor home maintenance — dirty dishes, unwashed laundry, clutter
Personal hygiene change — not bathing, re-wearing clothes repeatedly without washing
Incorrectly taking medications (skipping, double doses, uncertainty about what to take) Losing touch with friends Withdrawal from social interactions and/or difficulty following conversations
Signs of depression, including reduced interest in activities they once enjoyed Changes in personality or behavior
Unusual observations that have you scratching your head
“If your loved one is exhibiting multiple signs on a consistent basis, it may be time to consider a more supportive environment, such as assisted living,” Sanborn said. “Seniors don’t always realize or accept that they need more help. Family involvement can be the key to better to address the needs before a crisis occurs. A health assessment at this point can help ensure your loved one’s safety and your own peace of mind.”
If the health assessment indicates that additional support is needed to help a loved one comfortably live his or her daily life, then the family may want to explore assisted living options in the area to determine which is the right fit for their loved one’s needs, as care and programs vary.
“To find the right fit, look for an assisted living community that can meet your needs now and down the road. You want to have the right clinical and enrichment support for a healthy, purposeful life at every stage,” Sanborn said. “Ask if the community is licensed throughout to provide the highest level of care, so that you don’t have to move if needs change. Find out if they have clinical support on-site around the clock to manage chronic conditions. And most importantly, check to see if they offer enriching programs that can help maintain both brain and body over time.”
RCFE 019200721.