The Many Ways Assisted Living Can Enhance Everyday Life
If you’re considering whether it’s time for you or a loved one to move to an assisted living community, we know it can be a difficult decision for everyone. With so many contributing factors to consider for your individual situation, there are certain signs to watch for. You may begin to notice some subtle changes that could signify reduced independence. Here are a few that might indicate assisted living may be a good fit.
- Changes in hygiene or signs of self-neglect – Proper hygiene is often one of the first things neglected by older adults facing mobility issues and/or memory loss. You may also notice signs of weight loss, dehydration, poor medication management or important mail left unopened. Self-neglect is a risk factor that could signify a need for additional support.
- Safety concerns – You may begin to question your loved one’s well-being at home and whether they would be confident in responding appropriately to emergencies like falling, experiencing a medical scare or getting in a fender bender. This is the time to assess your loved one’s mobility and balance to determine if their home is safe and accessible. If not, it may be time to move to an assisted living community before an accident occurs.
- Chronic health problems – If your loved one’s health is declining, they will likely become increasingly unable to care for themselves, which can become overwhelming for family caregivers. This may be the time to partner with a team of professionals who are dedicated to their well-being. Assisted living provides help with bathing, dressing, medication management and other activities of daily living.
- Social isolation – Older adults often have fewer social ties and may be more isolated due to memory loss, mobility issues or hearing impairment. Social isolation is considered a risk factor for cognitive decline, depression, chronic diseases and dementia. According to AARP, signs of social isolation in seniors include loss of interest in personal hygiene, poor nutrition, withdrawal and/or hoarding.
When keeping up with daily tasks becomes more difficult for individuals as they age, Assisted Living at The Palms at Plantation alleviates those concerns by providing help with bathing and grooming if needed, medication management, scheduled transportation to appointments and much more. We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions you may have about assisted living at The Palms – we’re here to help in any way we can as you consider the next step for you or your loved one.
