When Is It Time for Assisted Living?

Assisted living can be a great option for seniors who need help with different daily activities, but who also need to maintain their independence and freedom. Assisted living facilities provide 24-care, a community, healthy meals, and a lot more for seniors who need a little assistance.  Even with all these benefits, some people would not want to move to assisted living. Loved ones should examine different signs to know whether it is time to start the conversation. Here are some key signs to look for.

A Loved One Needs Help with Daily Activities

Several daily activities come easy for younger people but are less so for seniors. For example, a senior might have challenges with bathing, dressing, preparing meals, or remembering to take their medications. Living with incontinence can also be a burden for seniors, especially if they have to manage those symptoms by constantly changing pads or male external catheters. If your loved one has any issues with these activities and with things that used to come easy to them, it is time to start considering assisted living. These facilities have professional caregivers standing by to help with these activities, most importantly medication management, which is a concern for many seniors.

Eating healthily is another concern for seniors who might no longer be able to prepare food due to various reasons. The best Town and Country assisted living facilities prepare three healthy meals every day for seniors because they understand the importance of proper nutrition to seniors.

Feelings of Loneliness Stemming from Isolation

Occasional loneliness is quite common in seniors, and it can be rectified by staying in touch and ensuring they also stay in touch with their friends and family. In cases where that is not happening, isolation and chronic loneliness can set in. Both of these have serious emotional, mental, and physical health implications. If your loved one is displaying signs of isolation and loneliness, providing opportunities for them to join a community that they will fit into can help.

A Decline in Health

Various issues lead to a decline in health in seniors. Isolation and loneliness can lead to depression which has been linked to numerous health conditions. Poor nutrition can cause weight loss and frailty which can cause their own sets of issues. When a loved one lives in an assisted living community, these issues are taken care of so they become as healthy as they can be. Additionally, there are professionals and caregivers always standing by to prevent and take care of any potential health issues that arise.

Financial Issues

Finances are something many people do not discuss with their older loved ones. As some people get older, they become more frugal because they become afraid of losing all their money. Some spend more because they want to catch up on everything they may have missed. There is also always the risk of seniors falling for financial scams because scammers see them as an easy target. Moving a loved one to an assisted living facility can help eliminate these issues, give them peace of mind, and ensure that they do not have to worry about this anymore.

It can be difficult starting a conversation about moving a loved one to an assisted living facility. However, this conversation can become necessary if you notice your loved one exhibiting the signs we have discussed above.

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