The discussion about making the transition to Assisted Living is never easy to have with your parent. And as time goes on, it doesn’t 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. To help you know when it is time for “the conversation,” we have made a list for you to consider.
Seven Signs It’s Time for Assisted Living
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:
- House cleaning
- Eating
- Loading dishwasher
- Bathing
- Taking medications (or taking too many medications)
- Washing clothes
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?
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.
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. If your parent lives alone, remains homebound and avoids social activities, chances are they are lonely. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) says social isolation and loneliness increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.
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.
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.
Has your parent been developing more medical issues?
According to AARP, more than 70 million Americans over 50 suffer from at least one chronic condition. 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.
If your parent is exhibiting any of the above signs, it may be time to consider Assisted Living, a viable alternative to living alone that provides the support your loved one needs. Request our information packet to learn more about New Pond Village’s offerings that could benefit your loved one and offer you peace of mind.