Signs It May Be Time to Consider Assisted Living For Your Elderly Loved One
When it comes to the care for your aging parents, you only want the best for them. It’s natural to think that the best person to care for them is their children; however, this responsibility can become extremely overwhelming. If you are dealing with your own family, working, and trying to ensure your elderly parents are getting the proper care, even with the overwhelming responsibilities it can be a struggle to decide if your parents can benefit from assisted living. So, how do you know when it’s time to consider a place like Lakeside Manor Assisted Living? Here are some of the most common signs that it may be time to consider assisted living for your elderly loved one.
Struggling with Daily Tasks
If you are noticing that your elderly parents are struggling with everyday tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, doing the laundry, and/or financial responsibilities, it may be due to the tasks being too much for them to handle. Moving to an assisted living community means your parents will get the help they need with all of their daily tasks as well as assistance with their activities of daily living, including managing medications, showering, and dressing.
Not Getting Proper Nutrition
One of the most common issues with the elderly is getting proper nutrition. If you have noticed a significant weight loss in your elderly loved one, it may be because they are struggling with transportation to the grocery store, or they may have difficulties cooking their meals. This is especially a problem if your parent is living alone because they often find it difficult to shop and cook for one, so they often simply put off the task, which results in significant weight loss as well as additional health issues. Assisted living communities to help to ensure your elderly loved one has access to daily, nutritious meals. Another benefit of getting daily meals while in assisted living is that they have the opportunity to have their meals with others, which ultimately helps to encourage eating.
Struggles with Isolation
Even if your elderly parent is in good health, over time both their physical and mental health can be at risk if they tend to spend the majority of their time alone. Isolation can significantly affect their overall health and lead to mental degradation. While residing in an assisted living community, your elderly loved one will have access to socializing with other people that they share common interests, which will ultimately help with keeping them happy and healthy.
If you are noticing signs that your elderly loved one could benefit from an assisted living facility, it’s important to choose the right place for them. It’s essential that you do your research and choose the level of care that your loved one needs. When touring potential assisted living communities remember to ask about available activities, transportation, such as to and from medical appointments, and be sure to check on staff qualifications. Also, when possible, make sure to take your loved one with you to tour potential communities, especially if you have narrowed your choices down to one or two possibilities.
