Has the time come for your loved one to consider moving to an assisted living community? There can be a variety of signs indicating that a move is near. Here are a few signs that it may be time to transition to an assisted living community:
- Neglecting chores around the house. This can range from excessive clutter and piles of laundry to dirty dishes and dying plants.
- Disregarding personal care. For example, is your loved one wearing the same clothes, appears disheveled or isn’t bathing as frequently as normal?
- Mobility worsens and safety becomes more of an issue. Falls become more numerous, managing medications becomes more challenging and movement becomes increasingly limited.
- Cognitive decline. Signs can be increased confusion, difficulty following directions, lack of judgment or reasoning, and relying on reminders to perform tasks.
- Changes in eating habits. Skipping meals, overbuying select items, struggling to prepare food, and losing or gaining weight can all be indicators.
- Driving issues. For example, dents, scratches, driving above or below the speed limit, or tailgating.
- Issues with finances. Late bills, overdrawn accounts, calls from creditors, thank you letters from charities or a large volume of receipts can all be things to look for.
- Changes in personality. Slowing down is common with age, but seniors shouldn’t become withdrawn from friends, activities or hobbies.
The decision to move to an assisted living community can be filled with many emotions including anxiety and homesickness. It can be difficult for family to select a community that will be the best fit for their loved one. It can be even more challenging to convince seniors to leave behind sentimental attachments in favor of assisted living.
Assisted living offers all the comforts of home with help available for housekeeping, laundry, meals and medication reminders. Residents have the freedom to come and go while enjoying the planned activities and social interaction our community provides.
When talking with seniors about transitioning to assisted living it is vital that you listen to their concerns and preferences. While they may not want to leave their homes, they will have a preference as to where they move. Take time to research area communities to find the best community for your loved one. Factoring in location, services, amenities and general atmosphere can all help to select the perfect fit.
Our short term stay program is ideal for “trying out” assisted living before making the commitment to sell their home. When new residents join our community, we meet with them and their family to get a sense for their preferences. To foster a sense of belonging, new residents are paired with others that have similar interests. Scheduled activities and dining together also increase social interaction.
These are just a few things to consider when thinking about moving an aging loved one to an assisted living community. For more information, visit https://regencymorristown.com/.