Signs It’s Time To Consider Assisted Living For Your Loved Ones

Find out how to determine if and when you should consider senior community living or memory care for your loved one.

One of the constants in life is time, and as we age, our reliance on others to help us with everyday tasks only rises. For individuals with aging loved ones, knowing how to navigate “the talk” about making a shift to an assisted living or memory care community can be tough. Particularly when they desire independence and autonomy.

Fortunately, there are ways you can manage this process with integrity and honesty – and it starts with knowing the signs that it’s time to consider assisted living.

Your Loved One’s Health Is Declining

Let’s begin with a sign that’s a bit more obvious: declining health. When we age, our ability to manage daily life can become increasingly difficult. Our strength begins to wane as our muscles begin to lose strength, and our immune system can begin to weaken – leading to an increased risk of illness.

When you begin to notice that a loved one’s health is declining consistently, it may be time to consider shifting to a living situation that is equipped to help them maintain a high quality of life. 

Assisted living communities are equipped with the skills and resources to ensure that your loved one is safe and secure in their home – and always one call away from help.

Other health and wellness signs that your loved one may be in need of extra care include:

• Chronic health problems that are getting worse over time, requiring extra around-the-clock care
• An increased rate of falls or mobility problems, which may require assistive devices
• The inability to consistently take medication properly or a loss of memory around medical care

You never want to risk your loved one being injured and being alone to struggle – which makes investing in a senior living community all the more important.

Your Loved One’s Quality Of Life Is Deteriorating

Life should be lived to the fullest, and the later years of one’s life are no exception. However, when older adults can no longer maintain Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), it may be time to consider if a change of lifestyle may help.

ALDs include those everyday activities that we often take for granted in our younger years:

• Bathing oneself
• Dressing oneself
• Using the bathroom effectively
• Preparing food for meals

You may not begin to notice that a loved one’s quality of daily life is suffering – as their desire to avoid worrying or inconveniencing you may keep them from reaching out. However, there are signs that may point to the need to take action:

1. You notice a decrease in their personal hygiene or grooming
2. You see household responsibilities being neglected, particularly those they once handled easily
3. They begin to skip daily activities such as bathing or changing clothing for multiple days
4. They’ve become increasingly isolated and are showing signs of depression or increased anxiety

One of the best things you can do for a loved one who may be struggling with ADLs is to have an honest, open conversation with them. Ask them if there’s anything they have been struggling to keep up with and how you can help. 

This is a great way to open the door to discussing assisted living or memory care communities with them – showing them how they can benefit from an increase in social engagement and help with daily tasks.

Your Loved One Is Showing Signs of Cognitive Decline

Perhaps one of the most important signs that your loved one is ready for assisted living is a loss of cognitive abilities. Being able to remember and recall recent events and conversations with people can become difficult as we age – making memory care for older adults all the more critical.

For example, your loved one may be able to recall past events from their childhood or young adult years but may share those stories with you without knowing who you are. They may also struggle to remember whether or not they’ve taken specific medications or how to get from one place to the next. 

Those living alone are especially vulnerable, as they may inadvertently become lost or confused if they leave their house and are unable to get back home.

If you begin to notice memory issues or other signs of cognitive decline, it’s crucial to begin the conversation about considering a memory care community where your loved one can have the care and dignity they deserve without putting themselves or others in danger.

You Are Experiencing Caregiver Stress

One sign that you may miss isn’t actually related to your loved one at all – but rather you as the caregiver for an aging parent or loved one. Those who take on the primary responsibility of caring for an individual in need of assistance or care can quickly become overwhelmed with the responsibilities placed on their shoulders.

Burnout is especially common among caregivers, as they can often feel trapped between wanting the best care for their loved one and not wanting to leave their side. This cycle can lead to exhaustion, especially if the loved one requires specialized medical care.

This makes moving to an assisted living community even more helpful. When you know that your loved one is safe and under the watchful eye of trained professionals, you can trust that their needs are being met. Should you wish to visit them, you can do so without feeling the tug of guilt that they are in need of social or physical support.

When It’s Time To Consider Assisted Living, Bailey Pointe at Miracle Hills Is Here

The choice of moving to assisted living is one that requires care and compassion, and our team at Bailey Pointe at Miracle Hills is here to help. When you schedule a tour or consultation, a member of our support team will answer your questions and walk you through the process so you and your loved one know exactly what to expect at each step. 

With our caring community and exciting social events, your loved one will enjoy plenty of opportunities to connect, and when they need to rest they can enjoy quality accommodations designed for mobility and memory care.  

Want to learn more? Visit us online or schedule a tour today and see why Bailey Pointe at Miracle Hills makes the transition to assisted living the first page of a brand new chapter!