Trying to decide if it’s time to transition from home to assisted living homes in Pinellas County, FL, can be scary and daunting, especially if the person is reluctant about the idea. Many times, it’s possible or even more cost-effective to live with a retired loved one in the home. However, there might come a time when they would massively benefit by being guests in assisted living homes instead. Knowing when to have them move in can be tricky and needs to be done tactfully. Thankfully, by considering the following signs, you can determine if it’s time to have a conversation with your parent or senior loved one. Here are the signs it’s time to consider moving to an assisted living facility:
Declining Health
A chronic health condition getting worse by the day is a red flag. In a recent National Council on Aging study, 80% of seniors suffer from at least one chronic condition, and 77% have two or more. These numbers are especially troubling when you consider that chronic conditions cause most deaths in the United States. Rather than trying to take care of a loved one who has declining health, they would benefit more by seeking the help of a team that is trained, focused, and committed to their wellbeing.
In assisted living homes, the team members are trained to care for geriatric illnesses with expertise, patience, and humanity. You can be sure that they will get the treatment they need whenever they need it. Assisted living communities also have the infrastructure and the correct number of team members to keep your loved one under care throughout. For instance, many will have a 24/7 nursing team for emerging issues.
If Your Loved One’s Safety Starts Being Compromised
As one grows older, they tend to become less physically adept, which could lead to accidents. According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of illness in retirees. They are also the leading cause of brain injury in this age group. If your parents struggle with navigating the stairs at home, have recently fallen, or have started being forgetful, it’s a sign they may not be safe living on their own or even with you. It’s essential to address their safety now before they become seriously injured.
Difficulty Caring for Their Homes
If your loved one lives in their home and starts developing difficulties in caring for the home, it may be a sign that they need closer attention. Safety hazards in a home resulting from clutter may make it difficult to get home care services for them. Disrepair and disorganization resulting from poor care of a house could lead to injuries such as falls. This is avoided when they move into an assisted living community, where they are taken care of, and the chores needed to keep the home tidy are done regularly by one of the team members. The apartments are also designed to be as safe as possible for seniors, including having bathrooms designed to minimize falls. The floor layouts are also constructed to ease navigation.
