5 Signs Your Loved One May Need Assisted Living

Retirement is a wonderful and exciting chapter in someone’s life, affording them the time to pursue hobbies, spend extra time with family and enjoy the world around them at their own pace. It is also reassuring to know that, even as their needs change, options like assisted living are available to support them so they can continue getting the most out of every day. However, sometimes it can be difficult for an aging person or their loved ones to determine the right moment to transition to assisted living. Declines in physical ability and self-sufficiency occur gradually over time, which makes them difficult to detect for friends and family members. Take a look at these five signs that someone may benefit from a move to assisted living and ask yourself whether they are present in your aging loved one or family member.

1. Declining Home Maintenance

Home upkeep presents its fair share of challenges at any age, and the physical demands become amplified as a person ages. The next time you visit your parent or loved one, take a look around and assess the situation. Things to look for include unkempt yards, mail piling up in the mailbox, overflowing gutters and accumulated clutter inside the home. One of the many benefits of assisted living is the elimination of household maintenance and upkeep, which frees up time and energy to focus on the things that matter.

2. Nutrition Issues

Oftentimes, aging people may lack the energy, mobility or resources to shop or cook for themselves in a healthy and sustaining way. This could lead to vitamin deficiencies, unhealthy weight loss and other complications. The next time you visit your loved one, see if you notice red flags like expired or spoiled goods in their kitchen. According to a 2020 survey, nutrition-related issues are among the top three reasons for considering a move to a senior living solution. An assisted living community can provide access to a balanced and nutritious diet that may have been difficult to achieve at home.

3. Isolation

Is your loved one becoming socially isolated? Perhaps family members don’t have as much time to see them as they’d like or they are reaching an age where their friends are transitioning to senior living communities or are no longer around. Whatever the reason may be, social isolation can negatively affect both physical and mental health. Fortunately, assisted living provides a built-in sense of community with welcoming and nearby neighbors as well as staff members that enjoy getting to know their residents.

4. Difficulty with Activities of Daily Living

Activities of daily living, or ADLs, include everyday basic functions like physical mobility, using the restroom, bathing and other forms of personal hygiene, among others. If you notice a decline in their ability to accomplish these tasks – which may be evidenced by things like poor personal hygiene – it may be time to explore an option like assisted living. There, they will be able to live with autonomy while having access to assistance in these areas from trained and professional staff members.

5. Complications with Independence

Living independently can sometimes feel like a juggling act – one that can become overwhelming as someone ages, especially after an event like the loss of a spouse. Red flags can include difficulty with personal finances like forgetting to pay cable or utility bills, or a habit of missing medical appointments or other important events. Many of these challenges can be addressed in an assisted living community which eliminates many of the bills and obligations faced by someone living independently and can offer assistance with medical scheduling and transportation.

While the changes associated with aging can be a challenge, seniors and their loved ones can rest assured that there are great options available to fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle and enable them to live a joyful, safe and fulfilling life. If you have more questions about whether assisted living might be the right option for your loved one, contact CRISTA Senior Living today.