What is an Assisted Living Facility? As parents or other loved ones age, determining their care needs is often difficult. Most seniors prefer to live in their own homes, but sometimes mental or physical challenges dictate the need for additional care.
Although the high costs associated with Assisted Living Facility can seem like a significant obstacle, options are available. Contact the elder law attorneys at wh Law for more information on how to provide your loved ones with the full-time care they need to live safely and comfortably.
Are you feeling unsure whether a senior you love can live on their own? Here are seven warning signs it’s time for a senior assisted living facility:
Seven warning Signs It’s Time For A Senior Assisted Living Facility
1. Falls
Over three million seniors wind up in the emergency room each year due to falls. Common reasons for falls include general weakness, balance issues, medication side effects, and faulty mobility aids.
If seniors are prone to frequent falls and live alone, they could wind up seriously injured or immobilized and unable to call for help. If you’ve noticed your loved one is more prone to falling than they used to be, it might be time to consider a nursing home.
2. Sundowning
Sundowning refers to a group of symptoms that dementia patients often experience. It’s characterized by confusion, aggression, and an inability to follow directions or perform routine tasks.
These symptoms typically appear in the late afternoon and early evening. If a senior person exhibits signs of sundowning, it could mean their dementia is worsening, and it might be time for a Senior Nursing home living.
3. Weight Loss
Rapid weight loss can indicate several potential problems, including an inability to cook, a loss of taste and smell, forgetting to eat, or even a severe illness such as cancer. Many of these issues interfere with the senior’s ability to live safely and independently.
4. Lack Of Hygiene
Do your loved ones neglect bathing and dental care? A lack of hygiene can be caused by vision problems, arthritis, depression, and many other health conditions that might make living alone unsafe.
Pay close attention to any deterioration in your loved one’s appearance. If it seems they’re having a hard time with essential self-care, it may be time to enlist the help of professionals.
5. Wandering
Wandering is often an early sign of dementia and similar impairments. The senior might leave their home and amble around the neighborhood, where they risk falls and other injuries. A senior living center provides safeguards for seniors with a tendency to wander.
6. Isolation
Often, when seniors experience mental or physical decline, they’ll isolate themselves socially. Watch for lack of interest in spending time with friends and family.
One benefit of moving into an Best assisted living facility is that residents have more opportunities for social interactions with people in a similar stage of life.
7. Caregiver Burnout
Many adult children attempt to care for their aging parents on their own. Unfortunately, the job is often far more taxing than most people realize.
A persistent feeling of burnout is often a sign that your loved one needs more help than you can provide, and you should let a professional take over.
Wrap up:
Adult children and other caretakers often struggle with knowing when it’s time for a senior assisted living facility for their loved ones. You’ll want to watch closely for any warning signs that indicate failing mental or physical health.
Fortunately, even if a senior struggle to live independently, moving into a facility can lead to a vastly improved quality of life.