When It Is Time to Consider Assisted Living for Your Parent?

You are worried about the safety of your parent, but he or she isn’t quite ready to give up his or her independence. Starting a conversation with parents about assisted living is not easy. It is better to do your homework, assess the current abilities of your parent, and even consider consulting with a Geriatric Specialist to recommend services that will allow your parent to remain at home a little longer. Unfortunately, not all aging parents can stay in an independent lifestyle. Here are a few signs that your parent is much better off in an assisted living home rather than living independently.

Neglect of Personal Care

It is quite common for people with dementia to forget about or lose interest in personal hygiene efforts such as bathing, changing clothing, and eating fresh, nutritious food. If your parent is remaining in pajamas all day or is wearing stained clothing, he or she may be ignoring any effort toward personal care.

Mental Health or Cognitive Issues

Signs of confusion, depression, and increased isolation from family and friends are a sign that your parent may be isolating himself from the world around them. It is not uncommon that the elderly will neglect friendships and familial relationships. Some older individuals will forget to take medication or will double the dosage after forgetting he or she took the allotted dosage earlier. Check medications to be sure that prescriptions are up to date. Count the pills in each medicine bottle to be sure the medicine is taken regularly and correctly.

Physical Health Concerns

Consider how capable your parent would be in an emergency, a storm that leads to a long-term power outage, or a major blizzard or ice storm. Has your parent experienced an increased number of falls? Check the house for signs that cleaning is a challenge, and small repairs have been neglected.

If one more of these signs is apparent, it might be time to check into an assisted living home to ensure the safety, quality of life, and well-being of your loved one. Madonna Heritage offers three levels of care based on the needs of your loved one. Click HERE to learn more about our levels of services. Click HERE to schedule a tour.