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How to Tell When Your Loved One Needs Assisted Living Care
Lydia Chan • Jan 04, 2021
Providing care to an aging loved one can be very challenging. At some point, their needs may progress beyond your abilities or means, and you may find yourself contemplating your alternative options. It’s important not to feel guilty if you don’t have the time, patience, or energy to provide your loved one with the level of care they require. Whether your loved one needs more intensive care or you’re suffering from burnout, it might be time to consider assisted living. Keep an eye out for some of the following signs that moving your loved one into assisted living would be a beneficial decision for everyone.
Neglected Home Maintenance
A neglected home may be a sign of more serious underlying issues. Mobility issues and mental disorders can make it difficult to tackle daily chores like doing the dishes, sweeping and vacuuming, mowing the lawn, or cleaning the bathroom. If you notice that your loved one is having trouble maintaining their home and keeping up with the cleaning, they may be experiencing problems in other areas of their life.
Declining Personal Hygiene
Is your loved one still bathing, washing their clothes, and brushing their teeth on a regular basis? If not, you may have cause for concern. A lapse in personal hygiene may be an early warning sign of dementia, according to Verywell Health. People with dementia often have trouble dressing, styling their hair, applying makeup, and shaving, either completing these tasks improperly or forgetting them altogether.
Dangerous Behaviors
Age-related mental or physical decline can also cause seniors to engage in dangerous behaviors that put them at risk of injury, financial issues, and scams. For example, AgingCare explains that vision problems, memory loss, or limited income may prevent seniors from taking their medication as prescribed, which could lead to some serious health setbacks. Seniors may also forget to pay bills on time, resulting in penalties and late fees.
Caregiver Burnout
Your own stress levels may also signal that it’s time to call in some help. If you’re experiencing mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion as a result of caring for your senior loved one, your care responsibilities may be taking a serious toll on your life. Some signs of caregiver burnout include irritability, social withdrawal, depression, feelings of hopelessness, changes in weight, and inability to sleep. Moving your loved one to assisted living will take a lot of the weight off your shoulders.
Tips for Discussing Assisted Living with Loved Ones
Talking to a senior loved one about moving into assisted living is one of the hardest parts of this entire process. Prepare yourself for this discussion by researching their assisted living options, putting together a care budget, and mapping out an optimal timeline for the move. Keep in mind that this can be a very emotional time for seniors, and it’s completely normal for them to feel scared, worried, or reluctant to move. Give your loved one plenty of time to consider their options. It’s important to involve them in these decisions as early in the process as possible, so don’t put off this tough conversation.
Where to Find More Information
Moving a loved one into assisted living is a complex process and can be incredibly emotional for everyone involved. Doing your homework will help make things easier for everyone. Check out the following resources to find answers to your questions and learn more about your senior care options.
6 Tips for Touring Assisted Living Facilities
How to Pay for Nursing Home Care
Downsizing Dilemmas: How to Help Parents Clean Out
Managing Mobility Problems in Seniors
Contact Terrana Elder Law If You Need Legal Advice
Don’t ignore these signs that your loved one needs more help than you can provide. Although it can be hard to accept that your parents or other family members can no longer care for themselves, acknowledging these behavioral indicators is an important first step in accessing the help they need. In the right assisted living facility, your senior loved one can thrive!
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