How Do I Know If Mom Needs Assisted Living?

Are your parents beginning to need extra help with basic daily tasks? You may have noticed its become more of a challenge for them to safely bathe and dress or shop and prepare meals.If they could use a helping hand, an assisted living community could offer the right support for them to embrace their best quality of life.But having the conversation and getting them to say yes is not always easy.The benefits of assisted livingWhere to begin? Understanding all the advantages can be a great place to start: Private residences and an independent lifestyle Reassure your parents that they wont lose their independence if they move into an assisted living community. Theyll still have a private residence and make their own decisions. How they choose to spend their days, when and what to eat, when to go to bed, and when to wake up will all be up to them. Help and assistance when needed Explaining how much easier the challenging daily tasks could be if they move into an assisted living community can help parents better understand the services available. Whether its assistance with laundry, grooming, or managing their medications, parents also appreciate that they dont need to always call on their children for help. Activities, social events and delicious dining Older adults who have become more isolated, or have trouble attending or participating in events and activities they always enjoyed, also appreciate only having to walk out their front door to discover whats waiting. Most residents love the idea of no longer needing to plan, prepare, cook and clean-up after meals. They only need to choose from great menu selections, sit back and enjoy. Friendships and companions Social isolation and loneliness can become a reality as we grow older, due to health, mobility or logistics. And they both have a negative impact on our health. Making new friends couldnt be simpler when an assisted living community is home. Activities and social events provide a natural setting to meet others and discover how much there is in common. Secure and maintenance-free living Security and safety are issues older adults are concerned about, even if they havent shared that with their children. But a communitys security systems and knowing help is always there provide immense reassurance.Residents who have been taking care of their own homes and the responsibilities of upkeep love the freedom that comes from having someone else take over.Parents and assisted living: encouraging them to say yesIf you could use a few tips to help your parents take advantage of all that assisted living has to offer, consider these 5 ideas: Plan ahead and prepare Gather all the needed information before your conversations. Learn as much as you can so you can address any of their concerns and answer their questions.Choose the time that works best for your parents and family but plan on having more than one conversation. Dont make your parents feel pressured. Make sure they know youre there as support but its their decision to make. Point out the advantages of assisted living but remain neutral There are many benefits of an assisted living community that go beyond the help theyll receive with the daily tasks of living. Review all the advantages but strive to remain neutral in the conversations.Adult children often immediately begin trying to talk their parents into the move. This can cause feelings of intimidation or anxiety. Many parents will resist or disengage and the conversation will be over. Match their needs to the benefits of assisted living Help your parents discuss some of their challenges and match them up with the benefits a community offers.For example, if theyre struggling to bathe safely, point out how a compassionate caregiver is trained to help in a way that preserves their dignity and independence.Is cooking a challenge? Discuss the advantage of just enjoying a delicious meal and not even having to help clean up afterward. Offer to be their partner Approach the situation as a partnership. Ultimately, this is their decision to make. Your role is one who is providing information, support and love. Offer to help them explore the different options available. Together, discuss why one solution may work better than another. If their answer today is no, what action would they consider if their health or abilities change in the future.  See an assisted living community in person Your parents may not realize what todays assisted living communities look like or know all that they provide. Ask if theyd like to see community life first-hand and arrange to take a tour together.Make sure theyre able to see different residence choices, sample a meal, and if possible, take part in some of the activities and amenities available. Ask about opportunities to visit with other residents and get their point of view.

Check In on Your Loved One During the Holidays The holiday season is a time for family gatherings, traditions, and reconnecting with loved ones. Its a wonderful opportunity to catch up and celebrate, but its also the perfect chance to check in on elderly parents or relatives to ensure theyre doing well. Sometimes, these visits can provide insight into their health, well-being, and overall quality of life that you might not see from a distance.Here are some signs to look for during your visit: Changes in personal hygiene: Noticeable neglect of bathing, grooming, wearing clean clothes, or maintaining trimmed nails. Pay attention to mobility issues, recent falls, or unexplained bruising. Medication management: Look for missed doses, expired prescriptions, or general confusion about their medication routine. These are all signs they might need help managing their health. Living space upkeep: Take note of unkempt homes with piled laundry, misplaced items, spoiled food, or clutter that could pose a fall risk, like throw rugs or poorly placed cords. Emotional or cognitive changes: Watch for signs of depression, forgetfulness, confusion, loneliness, or isolation. These shifts can indicate underlying health issues. Financial management struggles: Keep an eye out for stacks of unopened mail, unpaid bills, or disorganized storage of important documents. Difficulty handling finances is a common red flag. Driving concerns: If theyre still driving, check their car for signs of accidents, such as scrapes or dents.What to Do if You Notice Changes If you spot signs of decline, here are steps you can take to address your concerns:1. Take notes: Write down your observations. Keeping a detailed list of your concerns will help when speaking with your loved one or their healthcare provider. 2. Start the conversation: Share your observations in a compassionate and nonjudgmental way. Use this as an opportunity to discuss their needs and explore support options, such as assistance with daily activities, companionship, or meal services. 3. Consult their doctor: Reach out to their primary care provider to share your concerns and learn about any recommendations. The doctor may already have insights into their health or suggest scheduling a physical or needs assessment. 4. Explore senior living options: If additional support seems necessary, consider visiting senior living communities to understand the available levels of care, such as independent living, assisted living, or memory care. Touring a community can help determine if its the right fit for your loved one.Tips for Having the Conversation Discussing a loved ones needs can be delicate. Here are some tips to make the conversation more effective and compassionate: Pick the right time: Choose a quiet, private moment to bring up your concerns. Avoid discussing sensitive topics during large family gatherings or high-stress situations. Be empathetic: Acknowledge their feelings and emphasize that you want to support them in maintaining their independence and quality of life. Involve them in decisions: Wherever possible, let them take an active role in deciding how to address their needs. This helps them feel respected and in control. Focus on solutions: Frame your concerns around finding practical ways to help, rather than simply pointing out problems.Why the Holidays Are a Perfect Time to Check In The holidays offer a rare opportunity to see your loved ones in person and observe any changes in their behavior, health, or environment. With everyone gathered together, its also easier to have collaborative conversations with other family members about how best to support them.By being proactive during your holiday visit, you can help ensure your loved one gets the care and support they need to stay happy and healthy. Whether that means arranging for extra assistance at home or exploring senior living options, taking action now can make a meaningful difference in their quality of life.

Assisted living is a big step, and knowing when it is the right choice for your loved one can be difficult. But its a choice that can offer a better quality of life for yourself as a caregiver and more comfort and safety for your loved one. Lets discuss a few important signs to look for in daily life that illustrate how assisted living could benefit your loved one. 1) Daily Activities are Hard Activities like laundry, dishes, cleaning the house, exercise, and bathing can become difficult for loved ones, especially those who have limited mobility, health or cognitive issues. According to the Chicago Tribune, over 35 percent of people over age 65 fall in their homes once a year, increasing to 50 percent for those aged 75 and above. Falling, especially if your loved one lives alone, can be severe. While it can be challenging for loved ones to accept the reality of being unable to take care of their home, caregivers must recognize these difficulties to provide help. If you are a family member of a loved one who lives alone, check in on them to see how they manage their day-to-day lives. Assisted Living Offers Help for Everyday Needs At an assisted living facility, residents have access to all the benefits of independent living, but with help available for laundry, cleaning, and bathing services, to name a few. In addition, there are skilled, licensed nurses to care for residents in a safe environmentwhere falls and other accidents can be prevented, Far too often families wait until an event occurs before they have their loved one move into assisted living, says Chrissy Smith, Area Operations Director and Administrator at Forest Hill Heights. Families should consider not waiting for a hospital or rehabilitation stay but instead once they note a decline to move sooner than later so that the potential resident can truly enjoy the amenities offered by assisted living.  2) Getting the Proper Nutrition is Difficult Receiving proper nutrition at any age is a necessity for overall health. According to Feeding America, seniors who are food insecure are more likely to have a higher risk for chronic health conditions and mental health conditions like depression. Not eating enough, not eating the right number of necessary foods, or eating the wrong foods can affect anyone physically and mentally. Bone fragility, weak immune system, risk of hospitalization, and poor healing are some side effects of poor nutrition. Assisted Living Offers Homestyle Dining and Medication Management  Dining at an assisted living facility allows residents to maintain a proper diet with nutritious meals featuring plenty of options. Smith says, Many medications require being taken around mealtimes with food. By managing the medications around those mealtimes, taken at the correct dosage, we can see improvement within the health of new residents. Chef-prepared meals create a proper balance of nutrients, including fresh ingredients and dishes approved by certified dieticians. Menus allow for choice, and many facilities offer an additional menu of daily favorites. Accommodations can also be made for dietary restrictions like no added salt, diabetic, gluten-free, mechanical soft, and others. 3) A Lack of Socialization Staying social and active through hobbies, friends, and activities is essential. But when people live alone, not being able to move around or drive somewhere can prevent them from enjoying and living their life. The National Institute on Aging describes how research has linked social isolation to health issues like heart disease, obesity, and cognitive decline. Someone who is developing increasing issues with their activities of daily living, they also may be starting to isolate socially, says Dr. David Dunn, Forest Hill Heights Medical Director. Everyone needs some socialization to spark their cognitive functions, build relationships, and enjoy life. Assisted Living Has Activities for Residents to Enjoy Everyday  At an assisted living facility, residents have the option to be around people, but also have their alone time. Assisted living facilities have activity calendars with stimulating activities including trivia, bingo, dancing, movies, happy hours, card games, walks, stretches, and music classes. Being around people with similar interests and situations allows for friendship and a better quality of life.  4) Their Physician Recommends Assisted Living If you have yet to ask your loved ones physician whether or not they think assisted living could provide a better quality of life, now is the time. Getting a doctors opinion can help a caregiver or a loved one understand that Assisted Living may be the better and safer option. As a caregiver, it may relieve the stress you feel providing daily care and worrying about their safety and well-being. In addition, doctors can help provide medical reasons why it is a safer environment for your loved one. Assisted Living is Staffed by Highly Trained Professionals When information and advice come from a personal doctor, it can bring comfort because your loved one trusts them. The nurses and doctors in assisted living facilities are highly trained professionals who can make your loved one feel that same amount of safety and comfort. With years of experience and dedication to the well-being of residents, they are professionals who practice passion. Whether its certificates in long-term care administration, certified dementia practitioners, becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse, or developing individualized care plans for each resident, the entire care teams skill and dedication remains focused on residents safety and comfort.  5) As a Caregiver, Youre Struggling Hiring a caregiver can be expensive, and because of this many families help each other out. It can be a constant worry, but you dont want to upset your loved one by bringing up the topic of assisted living. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, caregivers spend on average 13 days (about 2 weeks) per month on shopping, food, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and medication administration. Colleen Roy, Administrator of Orchard Heights urges caregivers to give themselves the benefit of time in this decision Please dont wait until youre in a crisis to make a decision for your loved one. Give yourself the gift of time, so you are comfortable and able to find the right fit.  Assisted Living Has Caregivers in Every Department  In assisted living, caregivers can be found in every department. Caring people specialize in different aspects of providing care in dining to activities, and transportation, maintenance, laundry, and housekeeping services, with licensed nurses available 24/7. There are always caregivers helping residents lead happy and productive lives and, most importantly, with independence and dignity.  Choosing Assisted Living is a hard decision to make but its a choice that can improve your loved ones health, social life, and overall quality of lifeand allow caregivers and loved ones the time to spend together in more meaningful moments.