How Do You Know When It’s Time For Assisted Living?

You never thought this day would come, yet here it is…how can you do this and live with the guilt of having put a parent in Assisted Living, certainly you should be able to take care of them like you’d planned. But it’s not as simple as you had thought it would be. Will they ever forgive you?

Making the decision that it’s time for Mom or Dad (or both) to transisition into Assisted Living is a difficult decision to make, nevertheless, when that time comes, it’s a decision that shouldn’t be ignored. For some it might be obvious that the time has come, but for many others, it’s not always clear cut…so how can you confidently and lovingly make that hard choice?

Luckily there are some guidelines that can help with your decision…

Interestingly enough, some of the signs that point to the need for Assisted Livng actually come from the caregivers themselves…these are people who haven taken on a huge responsibility, one they aren’t necessarily trained for, and one which often leads to indicators such as these:

• Stress, due to feeling unable to provide the home health care that is needed
• Becoming ill because of the heavy load you bear, the lack of good sleep and disrupted eating patterns
• Feeling resentful or isolated
• Becoming extremely anxious or irritated
• Feelings of anger that you don’t have a life for yourself any longer
• Other areas of your life have become neglected because of your caregiving responsibilities

Signs of the need for Assisted Living from a senior:

• When it appears your senior’s needs are increasing, especially when they increase beyond your ability to provide
• When it becomes difficult or impossible for them to take care of their personal needs:
  • Dressing
  • Bathing
  • Being able to get in and out of bed on their own
  • Going to the bathroom on their own
  • Feeding themselves
  • Controlling their bladder or bowels
  • Inability to manage their own medication
• If Alzheimer’s or dementia has progressed to the point they are confused, paranoid, frequently angry, or have begun leaving the house and becoming lost
• When falling becomes a common occurance, they have trouble getting up and are getting injured
• If they have continued weight loss
• When seniors have chronic medical conditions, that seem to be escalating, and need additional care
• If they show signs of depression or addictions (such as to perscriptions, cigarettes or drinking)
• If they don’t or can’t keep their home clean enough to be healthy
• When it becomes unsafe for them to live alone

The emotional and physical well-being of not only the senior, but also the family and the caregiver are of utmost importance, so if you aren’t sure whether should transition your loved one into Assisted Living, compare these signs to the situation and consult your physician.