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 Are you worried about mom or dad living alone? Don't know if assisted living is right for your aging parent? Here are 10 signs to help you determine when to start the Assisted Living search.
In This Assisted Living Article:
Mobility Issues
Memory Problems
Help with Personal Care and Grooming
Help with Housekeeping
Issues with Safety Driving
Weight Loss
Help with Money Management
Medication Management Assistance
Inability To Communicate
Senior Depression
Finding a good Assisted Living that matches the senior's needs, can be time-consuming and very challenging. Familiarizing yourself with these 10 signs will help make the planning process and the transition to Assisted Living easier and less stressful for seniors and their families.
10 signs That It's Time To Start The Assisted Living Search
1. Mobility Issues
Is your aging parent having trouble walking around the house, walking up and down the stairs or demonstrating any signs of decreased mobility? Are you worried about falls and fractures due to normal physical changes that can limit your loved one's mobility? If your answer is yes, then it may be time to start the assisted living search to ensure the safety of your aging loved one.
2. Memory Problems
Does mom or dad tend to forget important events, doctor appointments or take medications? Do you notice any issues related to memory problems like repeating the same questions and statements over and over, misplacing things or leaving the stove on several times? Does your aging loved one wander away from home? If yes, you might want to start the search for assisted living before a crisis happens. Otherwise, you might regret not moving your loved one to an assisted living facility or assisted living community sooner.
3. Needs Help with Personal Care or Grooming
Does your aging parent go out without brushing his/her hair, wear dirty clothes, have bad breath or demonstrate other signs of neglecting personal hygiene? For seniors with medical conditions, hygienic tasks may be difficult to do. If the senior is living alone and have personal hygiene issues, you might want to consider moving your aging loved one to an assisted living facility. Assisted living facilities provide assistance with activities of daily living, which includes bathing, toileting, dressing and more.
4. Housekeeping Issues
Next time you visit your aging loved one, try to observe and look around the house. Is the house well maintained? Are the counters and floors dirty? Are there spoiled foods in the refrigerator? If you answer yes to any of these questions, chances are your aging relative needs help with household chores. Assistance with household chores is usually provided for seniors who live in assisted living facilities or assisted living communities. You might want to start searching for assisted living facilities in your area as it may take time to find the right one that will fit your aging parent's needs.
5. Driving Safety Issues
Are you worried about your aging loved one's driving abilities? Are there scratches or dents on the car or several traffic tickets? These driving safety issues may be a result of cognitive impairment and diminished motor capabilities due to aging. If you feel that your parent or aging relative can no longer drive safely, you have to find a way to get him or her to stop driving. Maybe moving your parent to an assisted living is a good option. Assisted living facilities and assisted living communities provide transportation services to senior residents.
6. Weight Loss
Has your mom, dad or aging relative been losing weight? Is it a suddent weight loss? If yes, then it might be an indication that the seniors is not eating. This may be due to decreased in appetite, loss of ability to do grocery shopping or to prepare and cook their own food. However, for some seniors, weight loss may be attributed to memory loss, which results to skipping meals or forgetting to eat. Moving a senior to an Assisted living facility will be a good option to help resolve weight loss issues. Assisted living facility serves 3 healthy meals a day and provides assistance with eating to ensure that the senior is getting the proper nutrition they need.
7. Money Management Assistance
When visiting your aging relative, do you notice tons of bills on the counter, receipts for large charitable donations, calls or final notices from creditors? If you've answered yes to any of these questions, chances are your elderly loved one needs help in managing his or her finances. Assisted living facilities and assisted living communities may provide daily money management assistance to help seniors. If you are worried about your aging loved one's finances, assisted living may be a good option.
8. Issues with Medication
Proper medication is important for seniors who have medical conditions. When visiting your aging relative, do you notice any expired medicine bottles or unfilled prescriptions? If you do, this may be a sign that your aging loved one is no longer able to manage his or her own medications properly. You might want to start searching for an assisted living place that can help with medication management. Keep in mind that medications are essential to control or treat illnesses, especially for seniors.
9. Inability To Communicate
Does your aging love one experience difficulties in communicating their feelings and emotions? If yes, then it might be a sign that your elderly loved one is starting to lose the sharpness she or he once had. Assisted Living may be a good option at this time. Keep in mind that communication is very importan, especially for seniors. When seniors are not able to express themselves clearly, they tend to be frustrated.
10. Depression
Depression affects everyone, including seniors. However, the warning signs of senior depression can be different than younger adults, which make it harder to identify. Decrease in interests in things your aging relative once loved, moodiness, lack of appetite, fatigue and other behavioral changes are some signs of depression.
Be sure to monitor your elderly loved ones because senior depression may increase the risk of suicide among seniors. Early detection is key in order to keep your aging loved ones safe. If you are not able to monitor your aging relative, then assisted living will be a good option to ensure senior safety.
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About the Author: Catharine D. Allado- Writes articles for www.seniorcarehomes.com - A trusted and comprehensive online directory of Senior Care Homes such as Assisted Living, Nursing Homes and other types of Senior Housing in California, Florida, New York, Arizona and the rest of the United States. SeniorCareHomes.com also provides FREE Placement Services, helping seniors and families find the best Senior Care Homes in the nation!
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