Do you have an aging loved one? Are you considering the possibility of long-term care for them because you’re no longer able to provide the care they need? Time may be of the essence, and there are many options to be considered.
For your loved one, you already know you want somewhere that provides socialization, activities, a stimulating atmosphere, and is safe. You want to know all their needs are being met.
The following are some questions you can ask yourself regarding whether or not it’s time for your loved one to move into a personal care home.
How Are You, As a Caregiver, Doing?
All too often, with numerous work and family obligations needing your attention, your caregiving responsibilities have to be juggled. Mood swings, poor judgment, and more can be a result of fatigue and exhaustion experienced by caregivers. It might be time to leave the care of your loved one to professionals.
How Is Your Loved One Doing?
If more and more, your loved one becomes flustered, annoyed, angry, or confused, their safety can be impacted by their emotional state. If they seem, as a result of living alone, more anxious, lonelier, careless, or depressed, professional personal care could prevent major health complications.
How Is Your Loved One’s Pet, Houseplants, Etc.?
Though the neglect of houseplants may not seem like a big deal, if things like pets and houseplants are not receiving the attention they need, it could mean your loved one is struggling with upkeep tasks, daily maintenance activities, and more. This is particularly the case if they used to be very attentive to one or both of the aforementioned.
How’s the Food in the House?
Is there too much food in your loved one’s home? Not enough? Is the food expired, stale, etc.? Any of these could be a sign of failing cognitive function and memory loss, which requires specialized memory care.
How Is Your Loved One’s Driving?
This is a real hot button among many retirement age adults. Eventually, the driving skills of your loved one will likely deteriorate. That puts both them and the public at risk. Many retirement communities today offer transportation as an amenity.
How Is the Home of Your Loved One?
Your loved one may be having trouble managing chores, organizing personal possessions, paying bills, etc., if you’re finding newspapers, bills, lots of mail, magazines, clothes, and more scattered around the house.
How Are the Social Relationships of Your Loved One?
Deteriorating health issues can be the result of isolation, loneliness, depression, and more. If your loved one no longer associates with friends and family, they could be at risk.
How Is Your Loved One’s Weight?
Either severe weight loss or severe weight gain could be the result of a number of conditions being suffered by your aging loved one. Discuss the changes with them and with their doctor.
Could Your Loved One Use Daily Activities Assistance?
Though most every retirement age individual would like to maintain an independent lifestyle, if they’re having trouble running errands, shopping, managing medications, cooking, dressing, etc., they may need professional assistance.
Are Your Loved One’s Health Conditions Worsening
As your loved one ages, existing health conditions such as memory loss, heart failure, COPD, bronchitis, and more will likely worsen. Professional care will be needed eventually.
Has Your Loved One Experienced Recent Close Calls or Accidents
Recently, has your loved one experienced a fender bender, medical scare, or a fall and you couldn’t get to them in time? Repeat incidents are a distinct possibility when it comes to retirement age adults. Failing health, hospital admissions, and more can be the result of repeated injuries and/or falls.
Has Your Loved One’s Recovery Stagnated?
If your loved one had a medical scare, a fall, or something else requiring recovery – but that recovery doesn’t seem to be going anywhere – it may be time to seek a higher level of therapy or professional care.
After evaluating the answers to the above-stated questions, you may have come to the conclusion it’s time to look into a retirement community for your loved one. Whether they need personal care, can enjoy a more independent lifestyle, or require a memory care program, you can count on Discovery Village at Sugarloaf.
Schedule a visit today. If you prefer, you can call us at 470.207.3392.
