You know that your parents will likely need some sort of support one day, perhaps sooner than you think. But that day feels so far away, and it’s easy to dismiss the idea as something that won’t happen for a long time. However, the older your parents get and the more time goes by, the more likely it is that they’ll require assistance one day. Assisted living communities to take much of the stress out of caring for an aging parent by providing a home-like environment where residents can have their basic needs met while also retaining their independence and privacy. With assisted living, your parents will get around-the-clock care from nurses and other staff members if they need it. There are many different assisted living communities with various amenities and services, so it’s important to do your research before making a final decision on which community is right for your parents. Here are three signs your parents might need assisted living services.
Signs Your Parent Needs Assisted Living
Changes in Physical Abilities or Mobility
If your parent has a physical impairment or injury that is degenerative, it may get worse over time. This could lead to a loss of mobility, and your parents may require assistance with daily tasks that they were able to do before. Mobility issues might mean that your parents need help getting out of bed or lifting heavy objects. It can also lead to a change in dietary needs. If your parent is having trouble eating or swallowing and needs assistance, they might need to move to an assisted living facility. If your parents are experiencing a change in vision, they may have trouble reading, cooking, or driving. Some vision problems can be corrected by wearing glasses, but certain conditions can lead to blindness. If your parents have trouble hearing, they might miss important safety information, like a fire alarm or a warning that someone is at the door. Hearing loss can also lead to social isolation, as your parents may feel embarrassed about wearing a hearing aid in social situations.
Difficulty Managing Day-to-Day Activities
Your parents may struggle with changing health conditions that limit their ability to perform daily tasks. If your parents have a serious illness, such as advanced diabetes or heart disease, that requires constant monitoring or treatment, they may lose the ability to manage these tasks on their own. Your parents may also have trouble with activities they’ve always been able to handle, such as driving or paying the bills, due to changes in vision, hearing, or cognitive abilities. Another sign your parents might need assistance with daily tasks is if they become socially isolated. Aging is natural, but isolation due to health or mobility issues is not. Assisted living communities offer residents a vast array of activities to engage with others, from book clubs to gardening classes. If your parents are living on their own and struggling with daily tasks, they may not have the support they need to get through their day.
Difficulty Performing Household Tasks
Are your parents still living in the home they bought years ago? There may come a time when they can no longer maintain their house due to medical or physical limitations. If your parents are struggling with this, it could be a sign that they’ll need assistance in the near future. If your parents have a housekeeper who comes in one or two days a week, they might not be able to maintain their house the way they’d like to. A housekeeper may be able to do the basics, but they might not be able to do tasks that are more complex, such as fixing a broken appliance or repairing a leaky faucet.
What You Should Do When You See These Signs
If your parents are struggling with any of these issues, they may be a good candidate for assisted living. Assisted living communities are designed to meet the needs of seniors with a wide range of physical, mental, and social challenges. Now that you know what signs to look for, be sure to talk to your parents about their expectations for the future. Ask them when they think they might need assistance and what kind of support they want or think they’ll need. You don’t want to wait until your parents are in crisis to start looking for an assisted living facility. You can do plenty of research online and talk to a few different communities to get a better idea of what’s available.
Make the Transition to Assisted Living Easier with Gardens Care
It is always difficult to see your parents struggling to take care of themselves. Make their lives easier by easing the transition into assisted living through Gardens Care. We provide the level of care that patients need while respecting your desire to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible. Call Gardens Care at 303-566-1085 to see what your options are.
