When Is It Time To Transition To Assisted Living?
by April Deane, Branch Manager
Caring for a family member or loved one is a significant responsibility. Assuring their safety, quality of life, finances and basic life necessities are met can challenge your ability to balance your own needs. An in-home caregiver can be very beneficial as a support for your loved one and make managing all that comes along with being your loved one’s primary caretaker much more doable. Often in-home caregivers can help someone maintain in their own home for the remaining duration of their lives. In some instances, however, it may be best to look into transitioning a loved one to an assisted living setting. Here are some signs that may indicate it is time to look into assist living options:
by April Deane, Branch Manager
Caring for a family member or loved one is a significant responsibility. Assuring their safety, quality of life, finances and basic life necessities are met can challenge your ability to balance your own needs. An in-home caregiver can be very beneficial as a support for your loved one and make managing all that comes along with being your loved one’s primary caretaker much more doable. Often in-home caregivers can help someone maintain in their own home for the remaining duration of their lives. In some instances, however, it may be best to look into transitioning a loved one to an assisted living setting. Here are some signs that may indicate it is time to look into assist living options:
- Your loved one is a wandering risk. Safety is your top priority. If round the clock in-home care is not possible and your loved one does not have a vigilant eye on them at all times, it is definitely time to consider other living options.
- Aggressive Behaviors. There are a number of diagnoses out there that unfortunately bring out some rather intense physical behaviors. If you fear for your personal safety or that of your loved one, start looking for alternative living options that are equipped to assist someone with aggressive tendencies. Ask questions on training and skill level of staff in working with someone who can become physically aggressive.
- You are Not Getting Sleep. If your loved one is up all hours of the night and you are either up with them out of worry or having to help them perform tasks constantly, this can start to affect your health and ability to function. Either seek assistance for these hours so that you can get proper rest to meet the day ahead of you or look into placement so that you can. You are not good to anyone if you cannot function!
- The Home is Not Functional for Care Needs. Many older homes were not designed with people’s changing needs in mind. Narrow doorways, plush carpeting, no bathrooms on the main floor… These are just a couple of things that can present some difficulty for those that may need to use walkers, wheelchairs, or other assistive devices to get about their home. It may not be possible to make the modifications needed to keep your loved one home.
- When the Demands Become Too Great. If you are experiencing frequent feelings of frustration, resentment or confinement, know that you are not alone and you are not failing! You do not have to do it all on your own. Seek help! You and your loved one can often both feel better by having a level of support an assisted living setting can provide.