As your parents or grandparents reach their senior years, their movements become slower. They experience aging-related health conditions and may also require assistance in their day-to-day living. Naturally, many of you will try your best to take care of them by yourself for as long as possible. In some cases, some of you will even let them move into your home to ensure you can watch over them 24/7. But despite your help and the existence of modern medicine and other medical technologies, letting your senior loved one live alone may not be the best option.

And so, it may be best to consider taking them to an assisted living facility. However, transitioning them to an assisted living community may not be an easy option for them. They may not even want to talk about it, especially if they don’t like the idea of leaving their family home. Although it can be a complicated subject for them, there are a few red flags you’ll need to take note of that may signify that a change is necessary.

Here are five signs showing that it’s time to consider an assisted living facility for your senior loved one. If you encounter these signs, it may be best to initiate a conversation about this subject.

1. Chronic health conditions that keep getting worse

As your loved one ages, their chronic health problems may also worsen. Over time, this will weaken their immune system, making them easily more susceptible to illnesses. Instead of trying to manage their declining health by yourself, moving them to an assisted living facility may be the best option. Assisted living facilities like Chesapeake Manor and other personal care homes have professional staff who can look after your senior loved one. They also have complete medical equipment, making it easier for them to provide for your loved one’s medical needs.

Let your senior loved ones understand that the essence of putting them under an assisted living facility is ensuring they get the proper medical and health care they need to help lengthen their life and enhance their life quality. Plus, living in an assisted living community also means they’ll spend less time traveling to the hospital as the healthcare providers are already within the area to check up on them regularly.

2. They are becoming aggressive

When your senior loved one is becoming more verbally or physically aggressive and abusive towards you and the other family members, taking them to an assisted living facility may be a sign. Remember that their aggressiveness does not reflect your loved one’s personality or attitude. Rather, it’s only one of the effects of their health condition, such as dementia. Over time, when this disease progresses, they’ll become more aggressive to anyone around them.

Unfortunately, not everyone is equipped or prepared to care for someone who can be unintentionally aggressive or abusive. But by putting them under the care of an assisted living facility, you can ensure that they’re in a safe place, surrounded by trained professionals who understand and know how to handle their situation.

3. There are changes in their daily habits or hygiene practices

If you’ve noticed your loved one is neglecting their daily habits or hygiene practices, perhaps it’s a sign to consider taking them to an assisted living facility. You can tell they’re neglecting their personal hygiene when they start having an unpleasant body odor for several days, their fingernails are dirty and long, or their hair is always unkempt. Other signs of self-neglect and changes in their daily habits may include:

• Failure to maintain their medication regimen
• Rotten food or inadequate food in the house
• Pile of unopened mails and newspapers
• Unsanitary living conditions
• Signs of malnutrition or dehydration

Unfortunately, if they keep neglecting themselves, this could adversely affect their health or worsen their condition. Taking them to an assisted living facility will give you assurance and peace of mind that your loved one is maintaining personal hygiene practices and other daily habits.

4. Their home causes safety concerns

As much as they want to stay and live in their family home, sometimes their home’s living conditions can cause major safety concerns. For example, suppose their house is in the middle of a busy town. Or, maybe their house has too many stairs, or their shelves and cabinets are too high for them to reach. In that case, your loved one could be at risk of falling accidents which could lead to injuries or even deaths.

The assisted living facility can provide them with a safe and healthy living environment, free from hazards and potential falling incidents. Furthermore, they can offer an ideal living environment with access to gardens, outdoor settings, chapel services, and other luxuries and amenities that will surely make your loved one feel at home.

5. They are experiencing isolation and sadness

As they age, your senior loved ones may start experiencing sadness or begin to isolate themselves from other people due to their circumstances. Unfortunately, self-neglect, sadness, and self-isolation can only worsen their health condition. In the worst case, it can cause cognitive decline, high blood pressure, anxiety, or depression.

When they’re in an assisted living facility, they’ll be able to socialize, hang out, and build friendships with their fellow residents. They can also engage in social activities or redo the hobbies they used to love (e.g., gardening, dancing, playing board games). So, always check in with your loved ones regularly and see signs of self-isolation.

Key takeaway

If you encounter any of these signs, moving your loved one to an assisted living facility may be time. Initiating a conversation about this transition can be difficult and sensitive for the family, especially for your loved one. However, helping them understand the signs and the benefits of being under assisted living may help them accept the idea and know that this option is for the best.

References:

“Senior Aggression: Why It Happens And What You Can Do”, Source: https://www.care.com/c/senior-aggression-causes-and-care/

“Elder Self-Neglect: Research And Practice”, Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5472408/

“The Benefits Of Assisted Living Communities”, Source: https://www.umh.org/assisted-independent-living-blog/bid/224282/The-Benefits-of-Assisted-Living-Communities

“Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions”, Source: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html