Not everyone will need to live in an assisted living community when they reach their golden years. However, there are some circumstances in which this is the greatest choice for the person and their loved ones.
The tricky part is knowing when to place a loved one in a care community.
Premature placement of one of your grandparents or parents in this circumstance may strain your connection with them or make them feel less independent than they actually are. On the other side, delaying the decision might cause major problems with safety and health, among other things.
Here are five indicators to take into account when determining if it’s time to consider assisted living community in Rio Rancho, NM for your loved one.
Safety at Home Becomes a Concern
Has your mother just slipped and fallen at home alone? Can your grandfather still perform simple things by himself, such as preparing a nice dinner or climbing a flight of stairs by himself?
Older adults are not prohibited from living alone, but at a certain age, it may become unsafe.
This is something to consider if you see your loved one struggling with routine daily duties or if they have repeatedly required emergency care to come to their house.
The Home is in Disarray
As an individual ages, it may be more difficult to stand for extended periods of time or to bend over to use the dishwasher. Therefore, you may notice that there are stacks of dishes in the sink. Or perhaps the yard is a complete mess since nobody can mow the lawn or take care of the garden any longer.
These are indicators that your parent or grandparent can no longer accomplish everything they once could and shouldn’t be living alone.
Personal Hygiene is Harder to Maintain
Messy living spaces are one thing, but a decline in personal hygiene is even more alarming.
Find out from your loved one how frequently and if they have any difficulty bathing or taking a shower on their own. Ask them how they stay active around the house and whether they have any problems rising from a chair or getting out of bed.
These questions can reveal everything you need to know about their difficulties keeping up with personal hygiene.
Eating and Sleeping Habits Have Changed
Do you see that your loved one consumes a lot of the same food? This could be because he or she is unable to stand long enough to do food preparation. Or are they more easily agitated as a result of having poor sleep or insomnia?
These are signs you should not ignore. You should not take matters into your own hands too. They should be placed in the care of qualified specialists in an assisted living community who can assist them.
Mobility Declines
If someone’s mobility has declined, it’s another indication that it’s time to transfer them to an assisted living community. This holds true whether they’re in a wheelchair, walker, or cane. Even if they continue to reject using any of these methods, it is obvious that they are not progressing as quickly as they once did.
At assisted living communities, fitness programs and exercises are available to improve the mobility of residents. These programs are tailored to the specific needs of the older adult too!
