When Is It Time for Assisted Living? Key Signs to Watch For

According to the Pew Research Center, over a quarter of adults aged 60 or over live alone. While many of them may function well independently, some rely on family to help them occasionally. Those with more severe mobility issues or health problems require full-time caregiving.

Assisted living provides more professional help for seniors who need it. The question is: when is it time for assisted living? Moving would mean potentially giving up their home and various personal items, after all.

Here are some of the signs that you should make the transition to an assisted living community and how to prepare for it.

When Is It Time for Assisted Living?

An assisted living community is designed to provide seniors with as much help as they need while maintaining a level of independence. As such, it's important to know when to choose it over something like senior independent living.

The signs for an assisted living move include:

• Suffering personal health
• Struggles maintaining a household
• Mobility issues
• Health issues
• Caregiver burnout

You may also consider other factors such as home safety or a lack of family support.

Decline in Personal Hygiene

Managing your hygiene as an older adult is made easier with hygiene aids such as bladder protection products or cleansing wipes. However, there may come a time when you struggle with tasks like bathing or cleaning your home. As a result, your hygiene will suffer.

Unless you have a home caregiver, it could benefit you to move into an assisted living environment. There, you'll have access to staff who can assist you with any of the hygienic tasks you currently struggle with.

Difficulty Managing Household Responsibilities

As a person develops mobility issues, they may find themselves overwhelmed by tasks like cooking, cleaning, or paying bills. These are all essential tasks for someone living alone. You'll know it has become a problem when you see accumulated clutter or spoiled food in the fridge.

Seniors should feel no shame moving into an assisted living community for assistance with these household tasks. If anything, relying on staff can open up their schedule to more socialization or pursuing their hobbies.

Frequent Falls or Mobility Issues

Falls are a leading cause of injury among seniors. Many senior individuals have fragile bones or skin, meaning a single fall can lead to nasty scrapes and broken bones.

If your loved one experiences frequent falls or has difficulty walking, assisted living may provide the support they need. The homes they move into should have various mobility aids such as grab bars and non-slip flooring. They can also expect wheelchair-accessible paths and entryways.

Chronic Health Problems

Managing multiple chronic health conditions can be challenging for seniors who live alone. They have to adhere to specific medication schedules and routinely visit their doctors. Any missed doses or improper medication use can cause damage to their health.

Most assisted living communities provide medication management. They can also support senior health and offer wellness programs.

Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline due to dementia or Alzheimer's can compromise safety. All it takes is a family member leaving the room for a moment for their loved one to wander off or put themselves in danger.

Memory care services in assisted living communities come with 24/7 support specifically for individuals with cognitive challenges. They also have various programs designed to preserve as much of their memory and cognitive ability for as long as possible.

Social Isolation

Social isolation is a problem for seniors who live alone, especially if they lack transportation options or live far away from their family members. This can lead to depression or anxiety, as well as poor eating habits and lack of physical activity.

Moving into an assisted living community offers access to a variety of group activities and community events designed to promote socialization. Residents can share meals with their peers and meet people from all walks of life.

Caregiver Burnout

Caregiver burnout is a serious issue for family members who take on this responsibility. Supporting an aging loved one can cause a lot of physical, emotional, and financial strain. It's important to recognize your own limits to avoid excess stress.

Assisted Living Checklist

Deciding on senior care in a professional setting involves looking at all of your options. Not every assisted living community offers the same kinds of amenities or programs. You may want to choose one that has memory care support if your loved one is in the early stages of Alzheimer's.

Consider these questions when browsing different care settings:

Is there 24/7 staff availability for emergencies and specialized services for chronic conditions? Make sure the community can offer the support your loved ones need.

Are there grab bars and wheelchair-accessible areas? Accessible buildings and interiors are essential for seniors with mobility issues.

What group activities or programs are available for residents? You want your loved ones to thrive in their new setting and connect with their community.

Assisted Living Transition Tips

The first tip is to involve your loved one in the decision-making process. They should not feel like you're forcing them out of their house into a nursing home. Discuss their needs and preferences.

Research and visit multiple communities. Most of them will use a senior care needs assessment to determine individual care plans. Avoid any that streamline the process and skip the assessment.

When you move your loved one into a new space, try to personalize it with familiar items. Bring meaningful possessions like family photos or decorations. Put other items in storage if necessary.

Find the Right Assisted Living Community

When is it time for assisted living for your senior loved one? Look at your caregiving capabilities and decide whether or not you feel sufficient for their needs. You should also consider how satisfied you feel in the role or if you're overwhelmed.

LakeHouse Coldwater is an assisted living community based in Coldwater, MI. Our residents have access to a full range of engaging social events and activities. Reach out with any questions, and schedule a tour of our community.