More often than not, as our loved ones grow older, they require assistance and more help in carrying out daily activities. This is where assisted living comes in handy. By providing a good balance of independence and aid, assisted living allows older adults to struggle less with day-to-day tasks while still maintaining their freedom. We have collated a series of questions to help you make a decision about whether it is time for assisted living.
Does Your Loved One Need Help With Daily Activities?
One clear sign that your loved one would benefit from assisted living care is if they are unable to carry out daily activities on their own. Be it due to immobility or chronic pain your loved one may struggle to get dressed, shower, or get in and out of bed. Most commonly, older adults have been known to struggle with medication management such as knowing when to take medicine, how often, or how much. Errors in medication can be grave and assisted living communities can help provide help in these areas.
Is Your Loved One Socially Isolated?
Another reason to look into assisted living is if your loved one seems lonely or socially isolated. Older adults are more prone to loneliness due to the loss of friends to old age. This is further exacerbated by the recent pandemic which entails social distancing. A lack of emotional connection and social interaction has been shown to cause depression, anxiety, and lower overall moods. Thus, at assisted living communities, your loved one can bond with other older adults as well as the friendly team members. With a wide variety of activities at most assisted living locales, your loved one can benefit from added social interaction with like-minded individuals.
Does Your Loved One Lack Proper Nutrition?
Yet another reason to look toward assisted living is if your loved one seems exceptionally lethargic or energetic. These are signs of a lack of proper nutrition. It is crucial that older adults get sufficient nutrients from their meals. However, this is an issue has cooking can be tiresome and challenging. As such, assisted living communities provide three meals a day in restaurant-style dining. On top of this, healthy snacks like fruits are readily available round the clock.
Are You Coping Well as a Primary Caregiver?
Often times caregivers end up prioritizing the wellbeing of their loved ones over theirs resulting in burnout, fatigue, and exhaustion. If you find yourself feeling exceptionally stressed and overwhelmed caring for someone, perhaps it is time to let assisted living assist you. After all, your well-being is also important. If you are unable to get sufficient sleep or find that your life is curtailed, sending your loved one to an assisted living community could help relieve your stress.
If you have answered yes to some, or all, of the above questions, then maybe it is time to consider assisted living. Do some appropriate research and find a community that you feel could be suitable for your loved one.
