As the senior population grows, thinking about their future care is crucial. When should you move your parents into assisted living? It’s a tough but important question, especially if they need help you can’t always provide. Read on to learn some key indicators that it may be time to move your parents into assisted living.
Knowing When Assisted Living is the Right Choice
Struggling With Personal Care
One of the first things to look for is how well they manage their personal care. If they have trouble bathing, dressing, and preparing food, it might be time for adult day care. However, many older adults may try to hide these issues. That means you must look for signs like repeatedly wearing the same clothes and relying on packaged food.
Poor Home Maintenance
Another sign to watch is whether your parents can still manage their home. When you visit, do you notice the house isn’t as clean as it used to be? A messy home could indicate declining health, and assisted living might help. Beyond cleaning, look at the yard. Are they managing tasks like cutting the grass? You could also look for old lightbulbs that aren’t being changed. Little issues like that can indicate trouble managing the home.
They’re Forgetting Their Medications
If your parents are struggling to manage their medications, it might be time to consider assisted living. Expired or stockpiled meds can be a red flag for memory issues or declining health. It can also be an issue if they’re running out of medications early. This could indicate that they forget and accidentally take more than they should. Assisted living staff can assist with medication management for better health and safety.
Their Personality Is Not the Same
While everyone changes over time, shifts in personality as your parents age could mean they need professional help. If you notice they are less active or less lively than before, it might be a sign they require extra care. Changes in mood or a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed should be taken seriously. This is an indication to move your parents to assisted living.
Changes in Their Eating Habits
Changes in how they eat might suggest they need help that assisted living can provide. Check if they eat healthy meals, have fresh food in the fridge, and have unexpired items in the pantry. A loss of appetite or weight loss could also indicate it’s time for a move. Senior nutrition is a key part of assisted living. The staff ensures three meals a day and that nutritional needs are met.
Increasing Number of Accidents
An increase in accidents is a key sign that you need to move your parents into an assisted living community. Unexplained cuts or burns could mean they’re having falls or accidents they haven’t shared. The constant care offered in an assisted living center can help keep your parents safe and make life easier.
Isolation and Loneliness
When should your parents consider assisted living? If they feel more isolated as they age, it might be time to look into it. Not having enough family interaction can make your parents lonely. If they aren’t involved in social activities anymore, assisted living can help them reconnect.
Care That Goes Beyond
Enrich Senior Living fosters an environment of purpose and independence for seniors. We strive to provide every resident with the best possible quality of life. Click here to learn about our customized services, or click here to contact our team.
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