With the holiday season upon us, it’s the perfect time to reconnect with loved ones. And while this time of year is bustling with joy and excitement, some families may be faced with the difficult reality that their senior loved one’s health has changed over the last year. They might even find themselves asking the question, “When is it time for assisted living?” Rest assured that there are signs to be mindful of when determining if your loved one needs additional support.
Changes in Health
One of the most noticeable signs that your loved one might be ready for assisted living is changes in their physical health. While this might seem obvious, often a health decline happens gradually making it more difficult to notice the immense change. A change in health could look prominent like a diagnosis of cancer or heart disease, or it be more difficult to identify because the health decline happens over a period of time.
Red flags to look for this holiday season that might be associated with a change in health are:
- Changes in eating habits, specifically poor appetite.
- Significant weight loss.
- Decreased mobility.
- A general look of being unwell. You know your loved one best, so if you notice that they are looking a little “off,” you may want to be on high alert for other red flags.
Difficulty with Activities of Daily Living
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are tasks we do to stay alive and well. Some examples of ADLs include dressing, bathing, and eating. Be mindful this holiday season as you visit with your senior loved ones, especially if you notice changes in their personal hygiene or that they seem more unkempt than usual. While everyone has off days, it’s important to recognize when your senior loved one can no longer perform essential self-care tasks because of a physical or mental impairment. We encourage families to begin the conversation about assisted living before the need becomes detrimental. For example, if your loved one is still able to shower and dress themself, but you are concerned about their safety in the shower because of recent falls, it is probably time to consider assisted living.
Inability to Upkeep the Home
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Difficulty maintaining a home can be another indication that assisted living care is needed. Maintaining a home becomes increasingly challenging with age, simply because of the physical toll it takes to complete most household chores. A few simple observations can be very telling. Are bills being paid on time? Is their living space tidy? Is there food in the refrigerator that is past its expiration date?
One benefit of moving into assisted living is that all home maintenance is taken care of. This alleviates stress and ensures that your loved one is living in a clean and safe environment.
Social Withdrawal
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Isolation in the senior population is, unfortunately, a very common issue. In recent studies, it has even been linked to cognitive decline, chronic diseases, and dementia. Our social circles naturally get smaller as we age and when you add factors like decreased mobility or a hearing impairment the likelihood of social isolation increases even more.
According to AARP, signs of social isolation can include withdrawal, loss of interest in personal hygiene, poor nutrition or poor living conditions, and hoarding. And while social isolation can happen to anyone, it is seen more often in those who have recently lost a spouse or experienced a medical setback like a fall or stroke.
Increased Depression or Anxiety
Depression and anxiety in the senior population is a problem that receives very little attention and focus. If you are noticing that your loved one lacks interest in activities they once enjoyed or just seems generally unhappy, it might be time for a change in their living situation. While moving into assisted living is not cure-all for anxiety and depression, it does provide social opportunities, which has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health. Read more about the benefits of socialization on mental health in one of our previous blog posts.
Forgetfullness or Memory Concerns
Increasing forgetfulness and confusion is also a sign that it’s time for assisted living.
And you might be surprised to know that according to Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk, a geriatrician based in San Francisco, a serious memory concern is “(Not) everyday memory lapses, such as misplacing one’s keys, but rather, not being able to find their way home from the grocery store.”
And while the hallmark symptom for dementia and other memory affecting diseases is forgetfulness, there are other symptoms to look out for as well including:
- Shifts in behavior
- Change in personality
- Increased alcohol consumption
- Inappropriate behavior
- Being quick to anger
- Being apathetic
Enjoy this holiday season as you spend time with those you love! We are here for you. If you have any questions about assisted living for your senior loved one, we are happy to be a resource and guide as you begin this journey. As a starting point, we encourage you to fill out the contact form on our website.
At Sunset Senior Communities, we proudly offer assisted living at all four of our campuses. Whether you want the modern amenities of Waterford Place, the active lifestyle of Manor & Villages, or the quiet home-like atmosphere of Rose Garden and Christian Haven, we understand that each individual is unique, so we truly offer something for everyone.