Deciding to entrust the care of your senior loved one to an assisted living facility can be difficult. In a survey by the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 16 million Americans spend unpaid time and energy caring for their parents or a senior loved one with dementia. The World Health Organization defines dementia as a syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform everyday activities, aside from the physical and psychological impact. Dementia may also socio-economic impact on the family member caring for older adults.
Here are 10 (ten) common signs to know when it is time to consider the move into an assisted living facility for your loved one.
- Frequent falls and problems with mobility. Do they start having issues walking around or frequently falling? Are they getting help when needed, or have they required support recently?
- Is your loved one experiencing chronic health problems, and is it only worsening? If so, it may be time to move them into an assisted living facility where they can get sufficient care and attention from well-trained caregivers.
- Aggressive behavior. Common behaviors of people with dementia are physical, sexual, or violent aggression. It can be frustrating and stressful for the caregiver, and when your loved one starts getting into this state, it may be time to consider the move.
- Do you find them wandering more often? It can pose an even greater risk of falls and injuries.
- Are they missing their prescribed medications as instructed? Trained staff can make sure they take their medicine as needed.
- Do they have issues with activities of daily living (ADL)? Whether it is cooking, doing the laundry, cleaning, or self-care, living in a facility will fix these issues for them.
- Does the caregiver find it more difficult to provide continuous care for your loved one? Caring for a senior loved one takes an inconsiderable amount of hard work. It may become impossible for the caregiver to provide adequate care to your loved one. If you reach this point, move your loved one into an assisted living facility.
- Do home maintenance and repairs become a burden for your loved one? These may be enjoyable, but the tasks are more than they can handle. Check with them to find out if living where they don’t have to worry about these might interest them.
- Do they start isolating themselves or withdrawing from social activities? It may be an issue with driving or becoming uncomfortable in activities that used to make them happy. Check in with them to understand their situation and needs. A conversation with them may uncover some problems, and transferring to an assisted living facility might be the solution.
- Are they happy? Just because they can care for themselves does not mean they are joyful. A move to an assisted living facility could improve their disposition by allowing them to socialize with others.
The decision to move them into an assisted living facility is a challenging one to make. But with the right resources, it is possible. Take your time to reflect and evaluate your loved one’s needs. If they need full-time help, an assisted living facility could better give them the proper care at the right time. You’ll know it’s time when you start being aware of these signs.
References:
- United States : Spectrum Health Study Finds Delay in Initial Dementia Diagnosis. (2018). MENA Report.
- 17 Signs it’s Time for Senior Assisted Living | ConsumerAffairs. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/time-for-assisted-living.html