For most people, the ability to live independently without relying on others is something that can bring fulfillment. If you are doing well in terms of your health and physical abilities, you might find that an independent living community allows you to thrive. Independent living affords residents large amounts of freedom to do what they please and pursue what they like without having to worry about house chores. However, when is it a good time to move from independent to assisted living? No one likes to accept the fact that they are growing old or deteriorating in health. This article will give some insights into the signs that it might be time to consider an assisted living community.
Struggle with Daily Activities
One of the key signs that individuals should move to assisted living communities is when they find it difficult to accomplish simple daily activities. Living alone means that individuals must be well enough to cook their own food, clean and maintain hygiene, as well as consume the right medications. If an individual cannot complete these tasks with ease, then it might be a telling sign that assisted living would be much more suited for his or her condition.
If you are worried that your loved ones might be silently struggling with their daily routines, you could look out for some tell-tale physical signs. Note that if your loved one is going through an unexplained and drastic weight loss, this might be indicative of their struggles with shopping for groceries or cooking their own food. Furthermore, unexplained weight loss is often a sign of an underlying medical condition. Conversely, if you notice that your loved one has gained a significant amount of weight, this could mean that their mobility is affected, causing them difficulties in exercising and burning calories.
Assisted living communities offer freshly cooked meals three times a day that are healthy and filled with the right amount of nutrients. If you find that your loved one is struggling to keep up with their hygiene and food intake, assisted living is something that they should consider.
Signs of Loneliness
Living alone could lead to serious feelings of loneliness. Research has shown that severe loneliness can actually lead to detrimental effects on a person’s mental and physical health. Humans are made to be social creatures and assisted living options can offer the socialization necessary to feel a sense of belonging again. Assisted living communities have many planned social activities and communal amenities that can allow for easy socialization and intimacy.
These social amenities can be accessed very easily as they are usually in close proximity to the living areas. This makes it much easier for residents with disabilities to socialize and join in the fun as well. Furthermore, people who have difficulties with mobility can be assisted by care aides who are caring and helpful. If you or your loved one is starting to experience feelings of isolation especially in this pandemic environment, you might want to consider moving into an assisted living community so that you can interact with others who share similar interests.
