More of an art than a science, aging. Each individual ages differently and may experience a range of health issues as the years pass. Because of this, making medical care choices at a later age is not always an easy task. Trying to determine when to transition from independent to assisted living may be one of those choices. Read on to discover the signs that indicate it’s time for your loved one to transition from independent living to assisted living.
Independent Living vs Assisted Living
Retirement communities for independent living are designed for elderly individuals who are still able to take care of themselves. In order to promote physical and mental engagement and improve overall wellbeing and quality of life as individuals age, these communities provide organized social events, physical activity opportunities, possibilities for group travel, and other activities.
Generally speaking, assisted living communities are made for senior citizens who may have certain chronic medical ailments that need monitoring but aren’t quite ill enough for a nursing home or the hospital. Additionally, these seniors often need assistance with toileting, cleaning, dressing, bathing, and other so-called activities of daily living.
When Is It Time to Move to Assisted Living?
When to transition from independent to assisted living is a very individual decision. When individuals start to feel overburdened by independent living duties like grocery shopping, laundry, housecleaning, and meal preparation, they often decide to move to assisted living.
She adds that in certain cases, family members, caregivers, or friends may be the first to see warning indications that independent living may not be the best option, such as issues in the kitchen or keeping the house clean.
Even though relocating to an assisted living community may be the best option for everyone concerned, some individuals passionately oppose the idea. But since it’s such a complicated idea, many people require some time to get used to it.
However, there are several unmistakable signs that suggest it could be time to transition from independent living to assisted living, such as:
- A deterioration in medical problems, a rise in falls, and generalized weakness
- Handling household funds poorly or having other financial issues
- Having trouble keeping the home tidy and becoming less capable of taking care of oneself
- Either social isolation or depression
When should you consider assisted living? One well-known instance is a resident who just lost the spouse who was in charge of cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping. After losing a partner, the remaining spouse may find it difficult to effectively cook or clean while simultaneously feeling very lonely.
When an elderly individual has various medical issues, it is another typical scenario. When it comes to moving into assisted living, progressive or neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease often advance the conversation. The seniors often need additional daily assistance as these chronic diseases worsen.
A third typical scenario is when a resident starts to show indications of memory loss, which might be a sign of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Due to the high rate of caregiver burnout among those who care for individuals with cognitive impairment, finding respite via assisted living may also help the other spouse or main caregiver have a higher quality of life.
