As people age, the likelihood that they’ll need care, either in the form of assisted living or another option, increases. But how do you know when it’s time to make the transition from aging in place to an assisted living community? <\/p>
It’s a challenge for both seniors themselves and their loved ones. “Many times, families will come to me unsure of what to do about an elderly loved one’s living situation,” says Dr. James P. Richardson<\/a>, chief of geriatric medicine at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. “Patients have differing needs and resources.” Determining if assisted living is the answer means evaluating factors like physical and cognitive health, finances and how well you or your loved one is able to manage the activities of daily living. <\/p> Here are the signs it might be time for assisted living to take into consideration when deciding on the best care solution for yourself or your loved one.<\/p> Changes in physical health and overall well-being are often the catalyst for a senior to move from their home or another independent living situation to assisted living<\/a>. Some signs to look for, according to Dr. Ann Kriebel<\/a>, a family and gerontological nurse practitioner and faculty member of Walden University, include:<\/p> Find senior living near you<\/a><\/p> It’s normal to experience some declines in cognition as we age, but when these changes make it difficult to manage your day-to-day life, it might be time to speak with a doctor and consider an environment with more support. Some signs of increasing cognitive issues include:<\/p> If you or a loved one is living independently or aging in place at home and finding daily tasks difficult<\/a>, it might be time to consider the extra support of an assisted living community. Some signs that might suggest a need for additional help include, according to Kriebel, include:<\/p> Sometimes a senior will show difficulties with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)<\/a>. These are different from self-care tasks like eating or dressing, but they are still essential for health and well being. According to Kriebel, signs you or your loved one may be having trouble with IADLs include:<\/p> “There is often a waiting list for acceptance into a facility. It is always best to talk when [you or] your loved ones are healthy and have a clear perception of what you or they want in a facility.”<\/p>— Ann Kriebel, family and gerontological nurse practitioner<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure> In order to continue to live independently as they age, seniors need to have a strong support system in place, which may include family nearby, meaningful friendships and\/or ties to the community. If you or your loved one live far from family or don’t have people who can help manage daily activities and provide mental and emotional support, assisted living may be a more beneficial living option. <\/p> “Being cooped up in the house, unable to do the things they enjoy or even just socialize with other people, can cause anxiety and depression<\/a> in seniors. The only way to remedy this is through engagement often granted by a communal living environment,” says Laurie Gaines, director of care coordination at Always Best Care.<\/p> At other times, mental health issues may be caused by dementia or the death of loved ones and friends. Whatever the case, having the extra support that an assisted living facility offers can be instrumental in stabilizing a senior’s mental health.<\/p> There is nothing wrong with needing help yourself or helping an older loved one out, but if a person is needing more assistance than others in their life can provide, it may be time to consider assisted living<\/a>. According to Kriebel, red flags that could indicate that you or your loved one needs more help include<\/p> When a senior loses their local support network, it can increase feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Assisted living can offer a built-in network of social support that is vital for seniors.<\/p> Kriebel says to notice any of the following signs that you or your loved one is becoming less socially engaged:<\/p> If you’re caring for a spouse, parent or older loved one, pay attention to how your own mental well-being is affected. If you’re unable to tackle your own daily tasks (such as completing work or taking care of other family members) or are having health issues (such as anxiety or depression) because a loved one needs more assistance than you can reasonably offer, it might be time to consider assisted living.<\/p> Read more:<\/strong><\/p>Key takeaways<\/h3>
What are the signs it might be time for assisted living?<\/h2>
1. Changes in physical health<\/h3>
2. Changes in cognitive health<\/h3>
3. Difficulty with activities of daily living<\/h3>
4. Trouble managing appointments and paying bills<\/h3>
5. Social isolation<\/h3>
6. Mental health issues<\/h3>
7. Increased dependence on family<\/h3>
8. Loss of a support network<\/h3>
9. Family burnout<\/h3>