3 Signs That You Should Start Discussing Assisted Living With Your Loved One
Advances in medicine have made it possible for people to have a high quality of life for many decades. However, a time eventually comes when the aging person might no longer have the ability or capacity to take care of their needs. You should be ready to help your loved one transition into an assisted living facility. Many people stay in denial about their need for assisted living until the signs are no longer easy to ignore. Here are three most common telltale indicators that it is time.
Aggression and Accidents
Aggression is never a good sign, especially if your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia. The person becomes increasingly aggressive with time and could even hurt other people in the home or endanger their lives. Trying to take care of someone physically or verbally abusive to you can be challenging, especially when you do not have training for it. It is best to let the assisted living facility caretakers handle it for you. Additionally, you should check whether the older person has experienced recent falls, cuts, burns, and other incidents in the house. These are an indication that they can no longer take care of themselves.
Chronic Health Issues
Chronic health problems are the first indicator you need to discuss an assisted living facility with your loved one. People develop diabetes, blood pressure problems, Alzheimer's, arthritis, and dementia with age. The chronic conditions worsen with the years, and the person's ability to cater to their needs diminishes. An assisted living facility usually has nurses and personal aides who remind your loved ones to take their medication and cater to their needs. They will be least likely to develop complications from inconsistent care in an assisted living facility.
Forgetting or Skipping Daily Routine
It might be hard to notice when a loved one loses their ability to maintain a simple daily routine. However, it starts with small activities like forgetting to take their medication. With time, it deteriorates to poor hygiene in the home and neglects personal hygiene. If your loved one gets to this point, they need someone around them to remind them of the routine and ensure they are eating, cleaning up, and living in an organized space.
It is never easy for a person to give up their freedom and individuality in exchange for assisted living. However, sometimes it is the best choice for the health and safety of the person. Talk to them about moving to a facility and start the next chapter.
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