“My aging parent needs assisted living.” One of the most difficult thoughts that you can have about an aging loved one is realizing that they might need an extra level of care that you can no longer provide. You don’t want to admit that they need it and they will likely push back on the idea as well.
It is hard to make the determination of what the “right point” is when making the transition from independent living to assisted living. We wanted to highlight a few of the signs that it might be time to consider assisted living based on our extensive experience helping families find the right senior care service.
Mobility Becomes Challenging
If your aging loved one has recently experienced a fall, it might be an indicator that their mobility has lessened. You might also hear them complain about any stairs or drops from one area of the house to another if mobility is becoming an issue. It is important to note that 1 in 4 aging adults will experience a fall which is why it’s better to get them the supervision earlier rather than later.
Proper Nutrition Becomes a Challenge
If you notice that your loved one has recently begun to slide on the quality of quantity of food they consume, this might also be an indication they need additional support. Track their weight to monitor any big drops to also aid in your decision of making the move to assisted living.
Loss of a Partner or Significant Other
When we try to evaluate a loved one’s need for assisted living, mental needs can often be forgotten or dismissed. If your loved one recently lost their partner and have entered into a much more isolated way of living, it could be vital to get them into a level of senior care. Even if they are currently fine physically, the socialization aspect could help them immensely.
Their Home Conditions Change
One sign that we hear from the families that we help was realizing their parent was no longer keeping a clean house. If you begin to see new clutter or old food sitting out on the counter that never had been a problem before, it might be an indicator that assisted living could be the right care.
It should also be noted that you facilitate feedback from their physician when trying to make any kind of evaluation. If the family physician notices their health is in decline or they have become confused around medicine, they might recommend an assisted living care option.
