As our loved ones age, it is natural that they will start to require more and more assistance with their daily activities. For most of us, we will want to try to take care of them for as long as possible. However, this is not the only option that you have when caring for your loved ones. Especially in events where your loved one has a medical condition, caring for them may be more than you are trained to handle. Here are four signs that choosing to move to an assisted living community is the best option for you and your loved one.
Caring for Them Affects Your Mental Health
As a caregiver, your needs are generally of lower priority than the person that you are caring for. This is very expected since your loved one will be less capable of doing things on their own and may need the reassurance of your presence. However, this does not negate the fact that having someone depend on you or becoming needy can really wear a person down over time. If you are starting to constantly feel tired and frustrated with providing care for your loved one, it might be better for both of you to seek assisted living.
Increased Frequency of Emergencies and Need for Medical Care
Sometimes the most pressing reason for seeking a placement in assisted living is that most people are not trained medical professionals and are simply unable to provide the level of support needed. This is especially so if you are working and simply cannot be with your loved one all the time. One of the most common examples of accidents is falling at home. If your loved one is living alone or left alone for long periods, their fall may go undiscovered for a long time. An assisted living community remedies this by having team members always around as well as on-site medical assistance.
Home Becomes Dangerous
Anyone that has ever baby-proofed a house will know that your environment actually holds many potential hazards. What people do not think about is that the same also applies to your loved ones who have problems walking or memory issues. Items or wires that are left on the floor can easily become a tripping hazard, worsened by the presence of sharp edges. Forgotten cooking on the stove and candles could be a potential fire hazard. If you feel that your loved one’s current living situation and abilities could contribute to ensuring their safety, it might be time to consider assisted living.
Memory Loss
As cognitive impairments manifest as a result of age, assisted living could be very important. Especially if your loved one is starting to become more forgetful, it might lead to them neglecting important bills and their personal and household maintenance. Even more importantly, they may become a potential target for scammers and other crimes.
If any of these signs resonate with you, do not hesitate to reach out to our friendly senior living specialists here at Discovery Commons At Wildewood. Not only are we able to provide your loved ones with the round-the-clock care they need, but we also offer a wide offering of exclusive senior living programs to enrich their days. You can contact us for answers to any questions that you might have or to schedule a tour to view our community.
