Is Your Loved One Ready For Assisted Living? Here’s How To Tell
The thought of moving into a nursing home or an assisted retirement living facility is not a potential reality many like to face. However, in many cases, it’s the best and sometimes only option. A series of undeniable changes in behavior can be a good indicator that this transition may have to take place. The most common trigger in these life changing decisions is the onset of age-related dementia or even Alzheimer’s. A great casualty in this occurrence is the loss of independence of the person that is afflicted, but an even greater one is the failure, or even refusal of those involved to recognize the symptoms.
Here are some warning signs to watch out for:
-Are you seeing food go bad in the refrigerator, but all the while your loved one is telling you that he/she is eating?
- Is your loved one falling more than usual? Sometimes the aged have difficulty accepting their rapidly deteriorating physicality, and will cover up bumps and bruises that they don’t want you to see.
-Have you noticed your loved one continually wearing the same clothes? Is he/she losing the ability to independently bathe or manage hygiene?
-Take a look around the house and yard. Is it as well kept as it used to be? Do you see things that were once diligently cared for being neglected?
-Is your loved one remembering to take his/her medication as directed? This can be especially dangerous because a decline in mental function can result in the consumption of the wrong dosage.
-Is he/she losing the ability to operate household appliances? Are things such as stoves and ovens being left on after cooking?
-Do you see stacks of paper and unpaid bills lying around?
-Is he/she becoming more isolated from life-long friends?
-When you look at your loved one, do you see the person that you remember from years ago, or do you see a more limited personality, who is in need of constant care and supervision?
Hopefully these suggestions will provide some direction in determining if you need go the route of a nursing home or some sort of assisted retirement living. The most important thing to remember is to trust your instincts. Don’t allow any understandable feelings of guilt or denial get in the way of making the decision that is best for the person you love.
Assisted living marketing services are provided by 800seniors.com a leading referral
system in the assisted living industry. Sky Palma is a freelance staff writer.
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Tagged with: Alzheimer's • dementia
Filed under: Family Topics
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