When Is It Time for Assisted Living: Telltale Signs

One of the most challenging decisions we face in life is the choice to move our loved ones to a nursing home or assisted living community. Every family is different, and some people are able to care for their elders within the home. As your loved one ages and their medical or care needs become more intensive and advanced, an assisted living facility can be the best option to make sure they get the care they need.

At some point, you will have to ask the question: when is it time for assisted living? Knowing the telltale signs to look for will help you make this important decision. When the time is right, moving your loved one to an assisted living facility in Westpoint can help you free up your time while offering them the environment and care that is best for them. 

Signs That It Is Time for Assisted Living

As we age, there are certain activities that used to be easy become more challenging. These daily tasks are called activities of daily living or ADLs. The decline in the ability to perform basic ADLs consistently indicates that an elder needs a higher level of care. 

Without the ability to properly care for themselves, your loved one’s quality of life is greatly reduced. Below are additional signs to help you answer the question, “when is it time for assisted living?”

Managing a Chronic Condition

One of the telltale signs that it may be time to consider assisted living is if your elder loved one has been living with a chronic condition. Depending on the severity of the condition, they may require around-the-clock care, medication support, and transportation to doctor appointments. According to the American Association of Retired Persons, over 70 million elders have one chronic condition. 

It may be time to start looking for assisted living facilities if you’re having trouble managing your elder loved one’s conditions alone, including:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Alzheimer’s
• Dementia
• Cancer
• Any other chronic medical condition

Daily care for an elder loved one with a debilitating condition can require more from you than you can give. This compromises both your and your loved one’s quality of life and can pose health concerns. 

Worsening Living Conditions

As seniors get older, they may lose the ability to maintain a clean, safe home. Physical limitations, depression, or mental cloudiness can cause an unkempt living environment. 

Health problems can worsen, and mental health issues can develop in an unkempt living space. In addition, pests and bugs can cause further health concerns. 

If you notice that on visits, your elder’s space is becoming unkempt, this is a sign that your loved one may not be able to care for themselves in a healthy way. 

Reduced Social Interaction

Interacting socially is a necessary part of maintaining a positive state of mental health. However, for seniors, this basic human need can prove to be a challenge. Many seniors don’t get out of the house often because of reduced mobility, which affects how often they see friends, family members, and neighbors. 

With increased isolation comes issues such as:

• Addiction: Elders without opportunities to socialize sometimes turn to drugs, cigarettes, and other substances. 
• Depression: Seniors who can’t socialize often become depressed and withdrawn. 
• Mortality: Research shows that elders living alone have a higher mortality rate.

Lack of Hygiene

If you’ve been asking yourself, “when is it time for assisted living?” one of the telltale signs is a lack of hygiene. Your senior loved one may be finding it challenging to maintain their personal hygiene due to depression and lack of motivation. Body odor or an unkempt appearance are major indicators that your loved one is having trouble in this area and may need the higher level of care that assisted living can provide

Reduced Nutrition

When elderly people can no longer care for themselves adequately, their nutrition suffers. With a lack of physical mobility and reduced motivation, it can be a challenge to make regular meals. One of the main deciding factors in moving an elder loved one to assisted living care is that their health is suffering. 

Good nutrition is so important for aging adults, who are prone to brittle bones and compromised immune systems. 

Assisted living dining options include:

• Three daily meals plus snacks
• Chef-prepared meals that are nutritionally balanced
• Accommodations for special dietary restrictions
• Dining areas that encourage socialization 
• Posted weekly menus 
• Food is always available 

High-Quality Care for Your Elder Loved One

Once you can recognize the signs that show your loved one may need assisted living care, the next step is to find a quality provider. Choosing the right assisted living place for your loved one doesn’t have to be a challenge. 

At We Care Senior Solutions, we can match your loved one with a senior living care home that offers around-the-clock care. 

We Care Senior Solutions – Helping You Find The Perfect Assisted Living Community

We Care Senior Solutions is in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and specializes in helping families to find the best assisted living community for their elder loved ones. We know there are hundreds of options available, and we’re dedicated to helping you select the perfect place for your loved one to call home. 

If you’re wondering, “when is it time for assisted living?” you’re not alone. When you work with us, we do all of the research for you so you can find the best options. We want you to have peace of mind and confidence when making this important choice. We focus on helping you find the right assisted living community to meet your loved one’s wants, care needs, and budget to make their golden years a time to enjoy.

To aid you in making the choice that is best for your family, please read through our guidelines for assisted living placement. 

Schedule a call with our We Care Senior Solutions team today and have confidence in choosing just the right assisted living community for your loved one. Give us a call at today.