When your parents start getting older, you might start worrying about how they’ll get by on their own. If you don’t have the space or time to take them into your own home, you might be wondering what’s the assisted living lifestyle like?
Fortunately, if this is the route you’re considering, you have nothing to be concerned about. Assisted living in a reputable institution will still allow your parents their independence and a lively and active social life whilst being taken care of by 24/7 carers.
But how do you know if they truly need this? Here are a few signs to look out for.
Forgetfulness
A common sign of aging is memory loss and forgetfulness. While this might seem harmless (and even amusing at times), it can begin to pose a problem when your parents begin to forget important things such as taking their chronic medication or doctor’s appointments they may have scheduled.
Take note of how reliable your parents are when it comes to their memory, even when it comes to small and insignificant matters, as this may pose a bigger threat in the future.
Slowing Down
You might begin to notice your parents’ movements becoming slower and slower as they get older. These slowed movements could indicate that they’re in pain, have stiff muscles and joints or are generally struggling more to move.
If your parent served in the military, be sure to read about this veterans program for seniors, which offers resources and assistance tailored specifically for elderly veterans. Most assisted living facilities also have specialized care for veterans as well.
Frequent Falls
With bones becoming brittle and muscles losing strength, it’s common for seniors to lose their grip and succumb to falls more often as they age, which can lead to more serious injuries than a younger person would suffer from the same accident.
When this becomes the case, it becomes more and more important for them to be around someone who can help them up in the case of a fall and deal with any medical emergencies.
It’s also vital that their environment is adapted to be more easily navigated – no loose rugs to trip over and the addition of railings in certain places to offer them something to grip onto for balance.
Struggling With Daily Tasks
As difficult as this is to face, your parents might reach the point of needing help with basic daily tasks, and these can increase as they age.
It could begin with things like shopping for groceries, paying bills and cooking dinners, but if they suffer from any chronic health issues they may eventually require assistance with tasks like feeding and washing themselves too. When this happens, there’s no doubt that they require 24/7 care and would benefit from assisted living.
Final Thoughts
Watching your parents grow older is tough to go through, but fortunately, seeing the signs will allow you to offer them help in whichever ways you can before they begin to truly suffer and struggle.
Talk to your parents about their needs and wants when it comes to how you assist them and remember to respect their independence and dignity whilst still prioritizing their health and safety.
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