Many times, we fail to recognize the signs that our loved ones might need more help than we are able to give them. Perhaps on a subconscious level we don’t want to face the reality that they are as advanced in age as they are.
Although you would love to have them in your home, there may be reasons why it wouldn’t work. It is not uncommon to miss some of those signals which is why you shouldn’t feel guilty. Maybe you just don’t know what they are. If you are beginning to be suspicious that your loved one isn’t safe being left alone, here are some signs that might indicate it’s time for assisted living.
1. Recent and/or Recurring Falls
Even one fall can be one fall too many. However, if you become aware that your loved one has fallen recently and perhaps has had several recent falls, it is a sign that they are probably ready for assisted living or a nursing home. So far, luck has saved them it seems, but what if they fall and can’t get to a phone to call for help?
2. Deteriorating Health
Whether they begin suffering from acute illnesses or chronic health problems that seem to be worsening, you might want to have them in a facility where healthcare professionals are on site and on call 24/7 to keep a watchful eye on the health of your loved one.
3. Unable to Manage Medications
While mobility may be an issue with getting to medications, it is usually a matter of the onset of dementia. According to memory care Nashville TN staff at Belmont Village Assisted Living Community, this is more often a sign of decreased memory function. Both missing a dose or taking medications two or more times because they forgot can be equally dangerous.
4. Inability to Complete Household Tasks
Household tasks could be anything from getting the dishes done to taking trash out to keeping the lawn work done. If these are all things that they had no problems with until recently, you know they need the help available to them at an assisted living community.
5. Improper or Lack of Hygiene
Here again, it could be a matter of decreased memory function, but it could also be general physical limitations that are the problem. Usually, you will find that they are unable to bathe themselves properly and sometimes cannot even get dressed without assistance.
6. Worrisome Driving Competency
In two states, seniors need to retake a driving test at a certain age, especially if they have been at fault in an accident, however minor it might have been. Not only is the safety of the aging driver in question but so too is the safety of other drivers, pedestrians and even animals on the roadways.
7. Getting Disoriented or Lost Outside the Home
So many times, the 911 operator gets a call that there is an elderly person just standing there on the side of the road suddenly lost and confused. Other times a family member reports their aging loved one ‘missing.’ This is also a sign of decreased memory function that comes along with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
If you recognize any of these signs in your loved one, perhaps it’s time to contact an assisted living residence in your community. Have your loved one assessed because it’s always better to be safe than sorry.