6 Signs It May Be Time to Consider Assisted Living
Choosing an assisted living community for a loved one is an important decision that can profoundly impact their quality of life.
Finding a high-quality assisted living community that meets the needs of your loved one and family takes knowledge, time, and patience.
The process is time-consuming and incredibly emotional!
The assisted living industry is massive and complex; if you're unfamiliar with senior living, the process can be overwhelming.
According to the National Council of Assisted Living, there are approximately 30,600 assisted living communities with nearly 1.2 million beds in the United States.
So, where do you begin?
In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know to choose the best assisted living community for your loved one and family.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living communities are designed for older adults who want to maintain independence but need help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and eating. The key is to look out for early signs it might be time for assisted living so that loved ones receive the care they need and deserve.
Although assisted living communities help with personal care, they don't care for seniors who need extensive medical care or treatment. However, many have on-site memory care professionals.
Residents enjoy a community-like setting in a socially active environment where they can participate in various planned activities, events, and classes.
Assisted living communities vary greatly in size, culture, amenities, costs, and services. Most assisted living communities offer studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartment-style units in a socially active and vibrant atmosphere.
Signs Your Loved One Needs Assisted Living
There are telltale signs of how to know when it's time for assisted living.
If you notice that your loved one has bumps, bruises, and cuts, it could be that they are having regular accidents. This is often caused by mobility and balance problems.
Families should also be concerned their loved one wanders or gets disorientated, especially when they're out and about. Wandering puts them at risk, so it's wise to seek professional help to ensure their safety.
Another common problem is social isolation.
This may be caused by various reasons, such as impaired hearing and mobility issues, or your relatives may intentionally isolate themselves. Regardless of the cause, extended periods of being alone may cause cognitive issues and chronic diseases like high blood pressure. The best thing you can do is find a nearby assisted living community where your loved one can get the right care while bonding with residents.
On the flip side, seniors may hate being alone and beg their family members to stay.
This can show something's wrong, especially if relatives previously enjoyed their alone time. If this goes unchanged, the burden falls on the caregiver as they don't want their loved one to be lonely, but this isn't always practical.
Evaluate Your Loved One's Needs
Not sure how to choose an assisted living community for a loved one?
Most assisted living communities evaluate potential residents to understand their needs before they move in and visit communities.
If you're unsure when to consider assisted living, speak with your loved one and their physician. Their doctor should create a customized care plan that includes:
- Personal care: Does your loved one need assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, or mobility?
- Medical needs: Does your loved one have chronic medical conditions, cognitive issues, or medication management needs?
- Social and Recreational Requirements: Is your loved one looking for an active community with opportunities to meet and connect with peers?
Involve Your Loved One in Decision Making
When choosing an assisted living community, involve your loved one in the decision-making process if possible. Taking on board your relative's assisted living indicators will make it easier to find the right community for them.
Ask them the following questions:
- What do you need the most help with?
- What type of on-site amenities would you like to have?
- What kinds of hobbies, activities, programs, and events interest you?
- What are your accommodation preferences?
Our assisted living decision guide wouldn't be complete without reiterating this. Remember, including your loved one in decision-making is essential to finding a community where they'll be happy and well cared for.
Research and Visit Several Communities
Even within the same city, assisted living communities vary greatly in size, quality, cost, and services.
Before comparing senior care options, ask for recommendations from family, friends, and health care providers. The beauty is that your network will give you honest feedback about the community, so it's easier to decide if it aligns with your loved one's needs.
Make a list of possible communities and set up in-person visits.
Invite friends and family to get a second opinion. The key is to take your time walking around the community, so you get a feel for the atmosphere.
During your visits, ask a lot of questions, sample a meal, and evaluate the cleanliness of the community, the friendliness of the staff and residents, safety precautions, meal plans, available services, and amenities.
Regardless of how appealing the community is, don't make a decision on the spot. You want to weigh the pros and cons of every option, so you're confident in your decision.
Understand the Costs
The cost of assisted living will vary depending on location, services, amenities, care, and the quality of the community.
Before choosing a community, ensure you understand the following:
- Deposits and entrance fees
- Monthly fee
- Additional fees for services and amenities
- Cost structure
- Payment & billing options
- Contract terms
Understanding the cost is crucial to making sure can comfortably afford the community you choose.
Wrap-up
Choosing an assisted living community for a loved one is an important and emotional decision.
There are many moving parts, and you want to ensure you have the knowledge and pertinent information needed to make the best decision.
Evaluating your loved one's needs, involving them in the process, visiting multiple communities, and understanding costs are essential to selecting a community that offers the care, comfort, and safety they deserve.
At Discovery Village Trinity in Tampa Bay, FL, we're passionate about offering premium elderly care to keep our residents happy and healthy. If you're interested, we'd love to hear from you. Drop us a line and we'll get back to you shortly.