Did you know there are recently 52 million Americans who are 65 years older, and this number will only continue to increase, predicted to double by the year 2060? While the population of older people is continuing to increase, it becomes critical to consider how they will be cared for when the time comes.
Trying to determine whether or not it’s time to transit your elderly loved ones or your parents to an assisted living community can be agonizing at best and stressful at worst, particularly if they’re resistant to it. You start pondering, “How do I know it’s time to make the shift? Are there any red flags I should look for?” Well, here are certain critical signs that indicate it’s time to initiate the conversation and make the change of moving them into an assisted living community:
Health Deteriorating by Days
One of the most common reasons people tend to look for more information on assisted living websites is that they notice a chronic health condition deteriorating in their loved ones with every passing day. According to the National Council on Aging, 94.9% of the elderly suffer from at least one chronic disease, and 78.7% suffer from two or more conditions. These statistics are especially stressful when you consider that most deaths in the US occur due to chronic illnesses.
Hence, instead of trying to manage the declining health of your parent or elderly loved one by yourself, try to delegate their care needs to well-experienced professionals.
Forgetting to Take Medications
Every individual forgets to take their medications once in a while, but if your loved one or parent tends to do this often, it can soon turn into a serious issue.
Their medication regimen is significant in keeping their aging health conditions under control. There are dedicated organizations that can help them remember, but this is definitely a sign that it’s time for their memory care.
Issues in Tackling Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Can your loved one or parent cook for themselves? Can they do their laundry or take care of the house properly? If not, it’s time to look into assisted living communities. Living in a facility that handles the daily aspects of their lives, like cooking, making them take a bath, or taking care of their hygiene, can offer your loved ones more time for socializing or doing things they truly love.
Isolation
If your loved ones or a parent have stopped participating in social activities they used to enjoy or go days without leaving the house, you can talk to them to know the reason. They may be scared to drive or may no longer have the will to socialize anymore.
An honest conversation about why they are spending so much time at home can help you get to the root of the problem. This might also denote that keeping them in independent living communities is not serving them. They should be shifted to assisted living communities where they could be taken care of physically and emotionally.
Bottom Line
Helping a parent or elderly person decide if it’s the right time to join an assisted living community is likely to be daunting. There may not be one defining moment when you both will say, “OK! The time has arrived now!”
However, being observant, recognizing these signs and more, and understanding their physical and mental capabilities will enable you to take strong action for their overall well-being.
