In this article, we will discuss 11 signs it’s time for assisted living for your loved one. When you are taking care of a family, there might come a time when you need a helping hand. Caring can become a full time job, and the mental and physical responsibilities can become overbearing.
In addition, you also need to think about senior’s safety, and ask yourself if they are getting the proper medical care that they deserve. So, how can you tell if it is time for a loved one to move into an assisted living care facility? The fact is that the majority of Americans are not prepared when the time comes.
11 Signs It’s Time for Assisted Living – What You Should Observe
Here are 11 signs that you should look for when you are taking care of a loved one at home or at another residence. If one or more applies to your situation, it might be a terrific time to talk to a doctor or other senior care professional about assisted living.
- Disoriented – When seniors become disoriented and forget where they are or what they were doing, it could be the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. They could start wandering and become a safety risk.
- Aggressive Behavior – Your loved one might become aggressive or they might more angry than normal. This can be emotionally disturbing for family caregivers, and you might eventually need professional assistance.
- Loss of Control of Bowel and Bladder – Your loved one might lose control of their bowel and bladder. Unless you or someone else in your family can be available for them 24-hours a day, you will need extra help.
- Your Health Issues – One often overlooked sign is your physical health. Family caregivers take on an extra load and burden when taking care of seniors. This can cause physical and mental health problems for them, as well. If you are experiencing insomnia, depression, migraines, irritability or other unusual health symptoms, you should see your doctor.
- Restless at Night – When your loved one is restless and active during the night, they will probably require your attention, too. This can disturb your sleep pattern, and this eventually turns into 24-hour care.
- Forgetfulness – Do they take their medications when they are supposed to? Do they forget appointments, leave the water running, or forget to turn off the gas on the stove? These are little signs that they need additional supervision, and you need to determine if you or other members of your family can provide that.
- Security Issues – There might come a time that you don’t feel safe in your own home. Your senior loved one might develop irrational types of behavior, or they might be prone to walking off and not returning.
- Falling – If your parent has recently had falls and finds it more difficult to keep their balance, you might need to move them to a safer facility or you would need to modify your home.
- Hygiene Issues – If you notice that your loved one is not bathing, grooming themselves, or brushing their teeth, it might be a sign that they are losing their memory. It might also be because they lack the mobility or motor skills to perform these tasks.
- Cluttered or Messy Home – If you visit your parent’s home and you see that things are cluttered and messy, it might be because they have forgotten to clean it in some time. Again, there could be memory issues that need to be addressed, and they might need professional assistance.
- Lack of Interest – When seniors lose interest in their friends, hobbies, or family members, it is usually a symptom of depression or other mental issues.
11 Signs It’s Time for Assisted Living – Conclusion
There are no clear-cut rules on deciding if it is the right time for assisted living. It is necessary to take a long and hard look at the overall situation. It can come down to safety issues and common sense. These situations are not the same for everyone.
Some families do not move their loved ones to an assisted living facility, because of financial reasons. Yet, there are various financial aid programs available for senior citizens. It is necessary to speak with your family doctor, and look for other support groups for help. In the end, you should do everything you possibly can to make a senior’s life as comfortable as you can.
