Written By: Teresa GreenhillAssisted living facilities can be a huge help to seniors and their families.While it can be tough to acknowledge that your senior loved one needs more care than you can provide, helping them transition to assisted living can improve their quality of life significantly.But how do you determine the best time for this move? Certain behaviors or signs can suggest that your senior loved one would benefit from a move into assisted living.
Here are a few key factors to watch for and some tips to help you navigate this difficult decision.Prepare for the FutureWatching your senior loved ones health decline may prompt you to think about their final expenses and what will happen with their debts when they pass away.While its not easy confronting this thought, being prepared will offer invaluable peace of mind to you and your family as you navigate the costs of assisted living.Consider purchasing a small life insurance policy to cover any expenses your senior loved one may leave behind.
According to LHLIC, you can buy a special type of life insurance called final expense insurance that will cover funeral arrangements, unpaid medical bills, and other lingering costs.This is a great low-cost option for people who only need a small amount of coverage.Changes in HealthOne of the first indicators that your loved one needs additional help is a decline in general health.If your loved one suffers from worsening chronic health problems, moving them into assisted living can help them access regular medical care to manage pain and slow the progress of their condition.
Has your loved one fallen recently? Frequent falls are also a sign that your loved one can no longer live on their own safely.Physical decline may also be visible in the rate at which your loved one recovers from illness or injury.If they seem to take a long time to get their health back after being sick, moving into assisted living may improve their health.Neglecting Self-CareSelf-care is an incredibly important factor in our overall quality of life.
If your loved one seems to be neglecting their self-care responsibilities, they may need help with their daily living tasks.Take a look around the house and watch out for signs that your loved one is having trouble keeping up with the chores.Are they still cooking, cleaning, doing their laundry, and keeping up with their personal grooming? Are they eating properly? Seniors who develop mobility limitations or mental issues may have a hard time navigating grocery stores or cooking in the kitchen and often turn to takeout or frozen meals instead.Social Isolation and LonelinessSadly, loneliness is a common problem for seniors.
Seniors can easily become socially isolated when they lose the ability to drive, a neighborhood friend moves away, or a spouse dies.While you may visit as often as you can, chronic loneliness can still wreak havoc on the health of your senior loved one.In fact, Medical News Today reports that loneliness can increase the risk of dementia by as much as 40 percent.
Fortunately, moving into assisted living is a great way to give your senior loved one access to the social support they need!Talking About the MoveOf course, you cant move your loved one to assisted living without their approval.Broaching the subject can be tough, but being open and honest with your loved one will pave the way for a productive conversation.Ease into the topic gently, leading with your observations and concerns instead of jumping to accusations or overwhelming them with fear.
If theyre hesitant to talk about it, dont push them.You can always bring up the subject again at a later date! This is why its a good idea to start thinking about assisted living long before it becomes a necessity.Transitioning your senior loved one into assisted living will be a very difficult and emotional processand thats okay! Its normal to feel all kinds of emotions during this process, ranging from relief to guilt.Try to remember that youre doing whats best for your loved one and that their life will be a lot better when they get the care they need.
Publisher: Aging Options ( Read More )
