Have you had a nagging thought that something may be wrong with your loved one? Do you worry you can’t provide for him or her like you had before? Maybe it’s time to look into senior care.
If you are taking care of your loved one who has reached retirement age, it may be pertinent to observe them. Is it time for you to research assisted living facilities? Here are 5 signs to look out for to find out if the answer is yes.
- Showing Signs of Memory Loss
When it comes to looking for signs of the need for assisted living facilities, memory loss is a big red flag. This is due to the fact that Alzheimer’s is such a big concern towards elderly living. Out of the top 10 causes of death in the United States Alzheimer’s is the sixth, and it is the only one that is not only incurable but unpreventable as well. If your mother or father is getting older and you start to see them forgetting dates and birthdays, losing their keys constantly, or having to make sticky notes to remember things, it may be time to consider assisted living.
Your loved one wouldn’t be alone as three-fourths of residents in senior living communities live or lived with at least two of the ten common chronic conditions. These adult communities are just that, communities, and can support your loved one with friends just like him or her.
- They’ve Hurt Themselves While Alone
Another potential sign to look out for is if your loved one has harmed themselves while alone. Has your mother or father fallen without a way to get back up again? Did he or she perhaps start a fire while cooking? Are his or her driving skills just not up to snuff any longer?
Assisted living facilities offer a great solution to this problem. Many of these retirement facilities offer services such as meals and transportation in order to insure the safety of those in their care. In addition, you could gain assurance that your loved one would have multiple skilled employees watching over him or her.
- You are Incapable of Taking Care of Them
That brings up the next sign to look for. Are you the only one available to take care of your loved one? What if suddenly your job or spouse/kids demand more attention from you? What if you get sick yourself and need to rest? If your loved one needs someone to care for them and you are incapable of doing so, assisted living facilities are the next best solution.
After all, around four out of ten elders in senior care are helped with at least three necessary activities for their daily living. Some of these activities could be bathing, eating, dressing and more.
- Changes in Appearance
Another tell could be whether your loved one’s appearance has changed. Is your loved one eating enough or eating too little? Do you have the time to worry about the meals that your father or mother is consuming? He or she might not be getting proper nutrition, which can lead to deteriorating health issues. If you are incapable of handling such issues there are assisted living facilities who can.
Employees at assisted living facilities can provide 24-hour supervision for your loved one. In addition and as stated earlier, these facilities also offer services such as three meals a day plus snacks in a group dining room. You can breathe easily knowing that your father or mother is being taken care of.
- A Change in Social Activity
Adding onto the services provided by assisted living facilities there are also social activities. If your loved one has lost interest in going out and is watching too much tv in his or her free time you might have a problem. The least happy retirees participate in one or two activities regularly. Assisted living facilities offer engaging events to keep your loved one moving and happy. Thus, everyone stays happy.
Remember, this list isn’t meant to scare you, but to prepare you with the tools necessary to see these signs. If you do see more of these signs than you may like, it may be time to consider assisted living facilities.
