When is a Parent Ready to Consider Senior Housing as an Option?

Making the decision to move a parent into a senior living home is not easy. It’s a decision that requires thoughtful consideration, research, and, often, emotional fortitude. Ultimately, the decision should be made when the parent is ready and comfortable and when the family feels that it’s the best option for their loved one. Here are a few questions to help you see if your parents should move to senior housing.

Do Your Parents Need Assistance?

As we age, we begin to lose some of our independence and our ability to take care of ourselves. It’s important to recognize if your parents have trouble with activities of daily living (ADLs).

ADLs are basic, everyday things that people do to manage their lives. This may include:

Maintaining mobility
Eating
Dressing
Hygiene
Basic household tasks
Maintaining communication with friends or family members
Paying bills

If your parents are experiencing any of these issues, it’s important to consider senior housing as a possible option. Failing to complete ADLs can affect your parents’ quality of life. This means that they will experience more problems, be open to illnesses or failing health, and struggle to keep up with a regular day schedule. Ultimately, it could be a sign that your parents are no longer able to take care of themselves.

Is It Safe For Your Parents to Be Home Alone?

It can become harder for our parents to be alone in the house. Seniors are at risk of fall injuries as their mobility lessens. They are also more likely to be injured if they cannot maintain a clean home.

According to the CDC, more than 36 million fall injuries involving seniors over 65 occur yearly.

The first fall can be a sign that something is wrong, but having a history of multiple falls means that your parents must be looked after. Seniors are more vulnerable to fall damage, such as breaking hips or other bones. In fact, the CDC reports that up to 95% of hip fractures are caused by senior falls. When your parents begin to struggle with their mobility and are at risk of getting hurt just living at home, it’s time to consider residential senior care.

Can Your Parents Take Care of Themselves?

It’s not uncommon to become less independent, especially if your parents have a chronic illness or live with a condition that requires daily treatment. If your parents need assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and preparing meals, it’s important to consider senior housing as an option.

Some senior care homes have staff members on-site who are trained to help with these daily tasks and can provide a higher level of care that your parents may no longer be able to provide for themselves.

Can Your Parents Take Care of Their Home?

It’s common for some level of cognitive decline to occur, affecting your parents’ ability to take care of their home and manage day-to-day tasks. If your parents have a difficult time with simple tasks such as paying bills, cleaning, and grocery shopping, it’s a sign that they may not be able to take care of their home alone.

If your parents are still capable of independent living but could benefit from some occasional assistance, senior housing may be the best option.

Do Your Parents Have Ongoing Health Problems?

If your parents are dealing with chronic health issues, they may be dealing with ongoing health challenges that require more attention and care than they can provide at home. If your parents need assistance with various medical issues, it’s important to consider senior housing as an option.

Care facilities have trained medical staff on-site around the clock who can assist with any health challenges your parents face.

Additionally, most care homes have access to a network of healthcare providers so your parents can receive regular care and monitoring from specialists. Medical facilities also allow your parents to receive care close to home so they don’t have to travel far for treatment.

Having More Information About Senior Care Makes This Easier

It is never easy to discuss senior care needs with your parents, but having information about quality senior care options and practices can make it easier. You can easily get the information that you need from companies like Gardens Care. Call us at 303-566-1085 to learn more about helping your parents find the right senior care for their needs.