7 Signs It Might Be Time for Assisted Living for a Loved One

Having “the discussion” about making the transition to Assisted Living is never easy to have with your parent. As time goes on, it does not get any easier. After all, it’s a reversal of roles: Once, they were your caregiver, and now, you need to take care of them. That can be difficult for them to accept.

Caring for your parent also means acknowledging what is best for them and sustainable for you. Whether your parent is moving along the continuum of care from Independent Living or making the transition directly from home, discussing the next step into Assisted Living can help ensure the transition feels thoughtful and supportive.

“Deciding to move to a retirement community can be one of the biggest and most daunting decisions a family makes,” says New Pond Village Executive Director Adam Manchester. “It’s on par with picking a college or buying a first home.”

“Often, though, families avoid long-term care planning until it becomes necessary or even an emergency,” he adds. “At that point, options are limited, and the decision can feel forced. Having ‘the conversation’ as early as possible opens up more options and gives retirees the chance to enjoy life fully.”

Signs It May Be Time to Talk About Assisted Living Options

How do you know when it’s time to have “the conversation” with a parent about senior living? These seven signs can help you recognize when the moment has arrived.

1. Overall Forgetfulness

Do you find that your loved one is becoming increasingly forgetful?

Maybe it started with not locking the door, but now, you begin to notice more routine
daily activities that are going undone, such as:
• House cleaning
• Meal preparation
• Loading dishwasher
• Bathing
• Taking medications (or taking too many medications)
• Washing clothes

2. Unusual Behavior

Have you noticed that your loved one is not acting like him or herself?

Keep an eye out for behavior that is out of the ordinary for your parent. For example, are they unusually quiet or loud, showing signs of paranoia, getting agitated easily or making phone calls at uncommon hours?

3. Neglected Bills

Does your parent have bills that are being ignored?

There may be several reasons your loved one has left stacks of bills lying around the house. While it can signal a lack of motivation to sort through and pay them, it could also indicate an inability to process them mentally.

4. Physical & Social Isolation

Is your parent staying cooped up in the house and distancing him or herself from others?

Regardless of age, maintaining a healthy lifestyle includes being social. However, if your parent lives alone, remains homebound and avoids social activities, chances are they are lonely. The National Institute on Aging says social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

5. Unmaintained Refrigerator

Is your loved one’s refrigerator lacking ingredients for a well-rounded diet?

Inspect your parent’s refrigerator to see what is inside. Food redundancies could mean they are not getting a variety of nutrients for a balanced diet. For example, an excess number of takeout boxes may signal that your parent is unable or unwilling to cook for him or herself anymore. Likewise, if much of the food is expired or rotting, then your parent may not be eating enough.

6. Falling Often

When left alone, is your loved one tripping or falling often?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury and death in Americans over 65. If your parent lives alone, chances are they are falling when you are not there. Even if your parent does not recall falling, look for signs of injury, such as bruising.

7. Declining Health

Has your loved one been developing more medical issues?

According to the CDC, 9 in 10 older U.S. adults report one or more chronic conditions. The emergence or presence of these conditions is serious and can often be crippling to independence. As a result, your loved one will require even more medical attention.

Consider Assisted Living at New Pond Village

If your loved one is showing any of the above signs, it may be time to consider Assisted Living. Assisted Living is an alternative to living alone that helps your loved one maintain their independence while providing them the support they need.