Adult children often wonder how they will know it’s time to encourage a parent to move to an assisted living community. Some seniors initiate the conversation, knowing it will improve their quality of life. Others resist the idea altogether. Many older adults, however, fall in between.
Why Move to Assisted Living?
People move to an assisted living community for many reasons. An older adult may feel isolated and alone at home. Loved ones encourage this transition so their family member has opportunities to engage with peers and enjoy daily life enrichment activities.
For other seniors, health concerns make this move a logical next chapter in life. A history of falls, trouble maintaining their home, and difficulty with personal care are three red flags that it’s time for a change.
Often, however, the warning signs of trouble on the horizon are vague and easy to overlook. A crisis may be the first indication an elder needs more support.
6 Signs a Senior Would Benefit from Assisted Living
- Decline in personal hygiene: If a normally tidy older adult is looking a little unkempt, it might be a sign they are struggling with personal care. A senior who lives alone or doesn’t leave home often may feel like it’s too much work to maintain their normal grooming schedule. Other seniors put off showering for fear of falling in the bathtub. Whatever the reason, monitor grooming changes.
- Problems with balance: Older adults experience balance problems for many reasons. Some medications can cause dizziness. Chronic health conditions such as diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and fluctuations in blood pressure can also contribute to balance problems. It can put a senior at risk for a fall.
- Isolation and loneliness: Loneliness and isolation can lead to depression in an older adult. However, experts say isolation presents the more serious health risk. In fact, researchers say it can even lead to early mortality. Isolation also puts seniors at increased risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
- Untidy home or yard: Keeping a home and yard in good repair takes hard work. It may be tough for an older adult to manage. Even routine tasks, such as climbing a ladder to wash windows or change a lightbulb, might be too risky for a senior. If your loved one’s home is showing signs of neglect, it may indicate it’s become too much for them.
- Unintended weight change: Menu planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation are other tasks a single adult or older couple might struggle with. Processed and fast foods may become staples in a senior’s diet. Some may skip meals altogether. The result is often an unhealthy amount of weight gain or loss. Both can have a negative impact on health. Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and falls are a few problems linked to poor nutrition.
- Falling victim to crime: From identity theft to door-to-door scams, seniors are targeted for crimes. Even if they haven’t been a victim of crime, worries about a home robbery can cause a senior to feel afraid in their own home.
If more than one or two of these warning signs could describe an older loved one’s current situation, it might be time for a change. With communities in 33 states, Five Star Senior Living likely has a location near you. Call us at (853) 457-8271 to talk to one of our experienced team members today!