Is It Time for Assisted Living?
Some family members can struggle to know when it is time to get extra support for their aging loved one. However, waiting too long to get the right resources in place can sometimes lead to an increased risk of falling at home or ending up in the emergency room due to an unmanaged medical condition. How can you know when living at home is just too much to manage or is unsafe?
Assisted living communities can often be the answer. These vibrant and busy communities offer the perfect mix of support from caregivers and independence. Wondering if this senior living option could be best for someone you love? We have a few questions for you to consider.
Does Your Loved One Say They Are Lonely?
Loneliness and isolation are common for adults who live at home, even if they live with a partner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly one-fourth of adults over the age of 65 are considered to be socially isolated while more than one-third over the age of 45 feel lonely.
This level of isolation and these feelings of loneliness can have serious health consequences as well. In fact, more and more research has demonstrated that poor socialization and lack of connections with peers can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, dementia, depression, anxiety and even premature death.
If your loved one is expressing feelings of loneliness, it could be time to look at assisted living, where there is the opportunity to connect with a new neighbor every time they step outside of their apartment. Assisted living communities are designed to increase connections between residents and between team members, decreasing the risk of isolation and the health consequences that go along with it.
Has Your Loved One Fallen in the Past 6 Months?
Falls are all too common for older adults who are living at home, causing emergency room visits and unplanned hospitalizations. If your loved one has a history of falling, moving to an assisted living community can be a wise decision.
Assisted living communities are designed to decrease fall risk. If a fall does happen, around-the-clock caregivers are there to provide a helping hand and first response.
Is My Loved One Struggling to Eat Well?
Perhaps the best gauge of how your loved one is doing at home is found in the kitchen. Empty cabinets or a refrigerator full of expired foods can often indicate that planning and preparing three nutritious meals a day is just too much for your loved one at this time.
Assisted living communities provide three meals a day in a social dining room setting, ensuring residents are eating delicious and nutritious foods to fuel their bodies for the day’s events.
Is Managing Household Tasks Too Overwhelming?
Finally, living in a larger home can often be too much to manage for adults living with pain, chronic medical conditions, limited mobility or who just don’t want to spend their time completing household tasks. If this is the case in your situation, assisted living can provide a “rightsized” home with a low-maintenance lifestyle for your loved one.
Assisted living homes are designed to be manageable without feeling too small. You’ll still find a kitchen, bathroom, living room and plenty of privacy. But you’ll also find amenities like housekeeping visits and laundry services.
If you’re ready to begin exploring assisted living, we invite you to learn more about Stiles Assisted Living at the Glen. Schedule your personalized tour today.