5 Signs Your Loved One Needs Senior Living
Moving your loved one to a senior living home is a major, life-changing decision. Whether it’s your parent or a spouse, often times the primary caregiver keeps putting off the decision until a big health crisis happens.
According to the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), there are more than 800,000 Americans currently residing in assisted living homes. (1) But when it comes to making such an emotional decision, you need more than statistics. You need assurance that senior living is the right choice.
So how do you know when it’s time?
Read on to find out 5 Signs Your Loved One Needs Senior Living.
Your loved one needs assistance with daily living.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) are usually one of the most telltale signs for choosing senior living. The basic ADL’s such as dressing, eating, bathing, and mobility are some of the most common things that seniors need assistance with.
If you’ve noticed your loved one has been wearing the same dirty clothing or is showing signs they haven’t bathed or been eating properly, these are all signs of concern that need to be addressed. Their home may become very messy. They may tell you they “can’t keep up” with cleaning anymore. Seniors are already at a high risk of falling and a cluttered home makes this risk even higher.
Medicine management is also one of the top concerns among seniors and caregivers. People age 65 and older makeup 12 percent of the U.S. population but account for 34 percent of all prescription medication use and 30 percent of all over-the-counter medication use. (2) A senior living community provides a safe environment where all medicines are managed — including proper dosage, potential side effects, and overall effectiveness.
Your loved one needs more socialization.
Senior isolation is a very serious problem. If seniors live alone, they generally lose their interest in everyday activities — such as hobbies — and socializing with friends and family. While it’s hard to precisely measure social isolation and loneliness, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention studies have shown that social isolation was associated with about a 50% percent increased risk of dementia. Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. (3)
Senior living communities offer a place for residents to form relationships with staff members and fellow residents. They also provide an opportunity to get involved in activities such as game nights, fitness classes, and creative activities.
Your loved one needs access to proper nutrition.
Food and diet are important at any age, but especially as you get older. Often times seniors lack the energy, ability, or desire to grocery shop and make themselves proper meals. According to the National Resource Center on Nutrition & Aging, more than 5.5 million seniors are food insecure or malnourished. (4)
Seniors who live alone can end up making poor food choices. If they don’t feel like cooking food, they will often skip meals. Or they may opt toward making a pre-packaged, frozen meal — which is not always a healthy option. They also may not be keeping up with cleaning out expired food in their refrigerator. It’s important to check and clean out their refrigerator often so they don’t eat anything that could make them sick.
Senior living communities offer three nutritious meals a day, ensuring nutrients and ingredients from each of the food groups. If your loved one has a special diet, they can work out meal plans to ensure they are getting the proper nutrition. Also, dining rooms provide a great environment for seniors to interact with one another while eating. The companionship they feel while eating a meal is just as beneficial as the meal itself. (5)
Your loved one’s physician recommends it.
As a caregiver, making the decision to place your loved one in senior living may not be one you want to make on your own. If that’s the case, try talking to their physician to see if senior living would be a good option.
Making an appointment without your loved one around can be beneficial. On occasion, seniors can downplay their ailments or not be completely honest when talking to their doctor. Fear, embarrassment, and denial can all play a part in this. A senior who is having trouble at home with ADL’s may — at the flip of a switch — put on a great act that they are fine. Their physician may be fooled, but you know the truth.
Bring along a list of medications and write down some observations so you don’t forget any details when talking to the physician. Also, remind your loved one that you are their advocate. Try to establish trust and let them know their safety and health are your number one priority. If their physician encourages senior living, this will help guide you to make the right decision.
As a caregiver, YOUR mental and physical health is suffering.
Whether you care for your spouse — or your mother or father — caregiving can become a full-time job. You mustn’t forget that it is important to take care of your own mental health and wellness. If you don’t, caregiver burnout can happen.
Caregivers often are so busy caring for others that they tend to neglect their own emotional, physical, and spiritual health. The demands on a caregiver's body, mind, and emotions can easily seem overwhelming — leading to fatigue, hopelessness, and ultimately burnout. (6)
Some signs of caregiver burnout include:
● Irritability
● Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
● Changes in appetite and/or weight
● Feeling sad, hopeless, and helpless
● Changes in sleep patterns
● Feelings of wanting to hurt yourself or the person you are caring for
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek help. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. Suffering from burnout can increase your risk of both physical and mental health problems.
If you can relate to any of these 5 signs, it’s a sure indication your loved one needs senior living. You can begin the process by researching senior living communities in your area. This can be an emotional, confusing, and scary decision. But you are not alone. There are people available to help.
By contacting a senior care advisor in your area, they can work with you to determine the level of care your loved one needs and what facilities provide the amenities required. They can provide you with a list of options and also answer any additional questions you may have.
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