Aging is natural and inevitable. As a family, it comes a time when you should make the difficult decision to move your elderly loved one into a senior living community. Making this decision isn’t easy, as most seniors prefer aging in place with the help of in-home caregivers. However, in some situations, aging in place isn’t feasible for various reasons.
You should begin by deciding whether to move your senior adult into a nursing home or an assisted living facility like Longhouse. Nursing homes primarily focus on medical assistance, while assisted living communities help seniors with activities of daily living. Below are signs you should consider transitioning from home care into a senior living community.
1. Declining Health
Declining health should be your earliest cue to move your elderly loved one into a senior living facility, preferably a nursing home. Caring for your elderly loved one at home is more challenging as their physical and medical needs become complicated. Seniors with deteriorating health require frequent medical attention, mobility support, and specialized care, which nursing homes can only provide.
Chronic health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, and mobility issues make it impossible for senior adults to maintain independence at home. Assisted living facilities have trained personnel who can help them with their medication and assist with ADLs. Having on-site medical professionals also helps address arising health needs promptly, minimizing complications.
2. Difficulty with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Difficulty completing various ADLs indicates that your elderly loved one should move into a senior living facility. Activities of daily living are basic tasks, such as bathing, grooming, eating, and using the bathroom. While it is normal for seniors to struggle with some of these activities, it affects their quality of life.
The inability to perform ADLs affects your senior adult’s hygiene, nutrition, and overall physical health. Senior living facilities have trained personnel and support staff who assist residents with these fundamental tasks. This helps them maintain their independence and dignity.
3. Safety Concern
You should always be worried about the safety situation of your aging adult. Advancing age increases the risk of accidents at home. Hazards also increase at home, making it necessary to make sure your senior adult lives in a safe environment. If safety becomes a serious issue, assisted living facilities offer supervised living conditions, which minimize safety risks.
Cognitive decline, mobility issues, and risk of falls expose your aging loved one to risk for injuries. Unless you are willing to modify your home extensively, you should consider a shift to assisted living facilities. These residences are designed with seniors’ safety in mind. They have non-slip flooring, accessible floor layouts, and grab bars in restrooms to avoid accidents. Assisted living facilities also have trained staff members who assist residents with mobility issues. Residents are also monitored 24/7.
Endnote
Moving your elderly loved one into an assisted living facility isn’t easy. It takes a toll on family members and the elderly person. You should involve the senior adult in the decision-making process. Respecting their feelings and preferences makes it easy for them to transition.