How to Determine if Your Senior Loved One Could Be Ready for Assisted Living
Broaching the subject of moving a senior parent, friend, or relative to an assisted living community is rarely simple, especially if your loved one has refused the idea in the past or prefers to live independently in their own home. If your senior loved one struggles to perform basic household tasks, take prescription medications without reminders, get around the home safely and comfortably, or prepare nutritious meals, however, it may be a subject you’ll need to return to in the near future.
When you do talk to your loved one about assisted living, it’s important to consider your words as carefully as possible and introduce the topic as naturally as you can, as this will help you to have a productive conversation with your senior parent, friend, or relative. For some tips on talking to your senior about assisted living and recognizing the signs that your loved one may be ready for the transition, read on.
Talking to Your Loved One About Assisted Living
As you prepare to talk to your senior loved one about assisted living communities, it’s important to set your own thoughts and emotions aside and instead focus on how your loved one may be thinking and feeling. In most cases, your
loved one fears losing their control and independence—and the idea of moving into an assisted living community may feel more like a threat than anything else. However, listening to your senior’s wants, needs, concerns, and fears will help your loved one to feel heard and understood—and it’ll help you to see things from their perspective.
Recognizing a Need for Assisted Living
Whether your senior parent, friend, or relative was recently diagnosed with a new medical condition or you’ve noticed some significant changes to their memory, hygiene, and appearance, you may be wondering if your loved one would be happier, healthier, and safer residing at an assisted living facility. According to Parentgiving, your senior loved one may be ready for assisted living if:
- Your loved one has fallen and sustained a major injury at home.
- Your loved one was recently diagnosed with a medical condition that increases their risk of falling and/or sustaining an injury at home.
- A mobility impairment or disability prevents your senior from performing daily tasks like driving a vehicle, cooking nutritious meals, washing clothes, bathing, and going to the grocery store.
- Your senior can no longer balance their checkbook or pay bills on time.
- You’re concerned about your loved one’s safety at home, especially if they repeatedly leave doors unlocked or forget to turn off the stove or oven.
- Your loved one’s
behavior and personality begins to change, and they display significant signs of memory loss, agitation, anxiety, or depression.
In addition to these warning signs, your loved one may be ready to transition into an assisted living community if they are feeling isolated and lonely at home—especially if you and your other family members live more than an hour away. Many assisted living communities host social events and activities for their residents, helping your loved one to meet new people and ease these feelings of loneliness.
Keep in mind that if your senior loved one is incapacitated in any way, you may need to hire reputable legal representation so that you can act on their behalf. Simon, Mckinsey, Miller & Stone can draft a power of attorney and handle any estate planning needs.
If your senior loved one’s personality, overall health, and everyday behaviors begin to raise some red flags, it may be time to talk to your parent, relative, or friend about a transition into an assisted living community. However, it’s important to approach the topic early on—such as before a major fall or health scare—as this will give your loved one plenty of time to consider the idea and begin the search for a community that best fits their personality, budget, and lifestyle.
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Long Beach, CA 90815
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