Did you know that more than a million older American adults reside in assisted living communities?

This is according to the National Center for assisted living and the American healthcare association.

Assisted living care facilities such as https://vivanteliving.com/ offer seniors access to 24 hour care with daily assistance so long as they don’t require specialized dementia or nursing care.

Assisted living provides a good facility for seniors who require assistance with daily activities throughout the day though they remain as independent as possible.

Determining the proper care for your aging loved one and knowing when it’s time to seek help may be challenging.

However, it is essential to know when it is the right time to seek help and take your loved one for assisted living. Here are some questions that may guide you to determine the right time for assisted living.

6 Questions To Know When To Take Your Senior Loved One For Assisted Living:

1. Does your aging parent or loved one need help with activities of daily living?

Suppose your loved one requires assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, going to the bathroom, medication management, or mobility. In that case, it may be time for assisted living.

Medication management is the most common concern amongst caregivers and seniors. Missing medication, overdosing, or under dosing pose a real danger for seniors.

The CDC estimates that 350000 people are taken to hospital every year due to medication mismanagement.

Assisted living communities offer help with bathing, other daily tasks, and, more importantly, medical management for your aging loved one.

Coping with life, work kids, bathing, dressing, and looking after your senior loved one can take a toll on anyone, and assisted living may be the answer you need.

2. Can you continue being a caregiver for a long time?

If caring for your aging parents or a family member has proven overwhelming, assisted living may be of great help.

Taking a proactive approach to finding compassionate care and trained professionals may allow you to maintain your relationship with your elderly loved one without the constant pressures of caregiving.

One of the main pressures of caregiving is the cost of finances, such as the cost of family caregiving.

This can mean lost income for primary caregivers and home accommodation expenses such as safety locks, wheelchair ramps, grab bars.

Or any other home renovations you need to undertake to make your senior loved one safe and comfortable in your care.

It’s essential to be realistic and honest about the time and expectations you are placing on yourself. Can you be a caregiver for the long term?

3. Does your senior loved one need more opportunities for socialization?

Seniors in assisted living make connections with not only the professional staff but also with other residents living there.

These connections and friendships help prevent senior isolation and loneliness and increase the seniors’ chances of participating in physical activities, which is good for their overall health and well-being.

If your aging parent seems bored at home and is often isolated, assisted living may help.

They encourage residents to participate in activities such as happy hours, fitness classes, game nights, etc. This provides an opportunity for seniors to interact and be social with their peers.

4. Does your senior loved one lack access to proper nutrition?

Most of the time, aging people lack the energy or the resources to go grocery shopping. Moreover, cooking can also become a challenging task for seniors because they have no energy or lack the motivation to cook for one.

When they lack proper nutrition or fail to eat a balanced diet, it can harm their overall nutrition.

If you feel like your loved one is not getting the required nutrition, then assisted living may help. Some of the services they offer are,

They provide three meals a day.

Healthy snacks, fresh fruits, vegetables, and drinks are readily available.

Nutrients and ingredients from any food group.

If your senior is on a special diet that can be provided too.

They also provide weekly menus, which are posted in advance.

Dining rooms with opportunities for interactions during meal times.

5. Would your senior loved one need care coordination?

Does your loved one get sick often? Do you suspect that they are not getting the care they need at home?

Always dealing with running to the hospital can take a toll on you and your loved one. If you also have to attend different appointments at a time during the week may become overwhelming for you.

The good thing about assisted living is that they coordinate care for all their residents.

Therefore, if your loved one lives in an assisted living community, they can access physical therapists, doctors, and other health professionals they need.

If you prefer to see your doctors, the facility can schedule transportation for the senior to attend these appointments.

Furthermore, assisted living staff will ensure they communicate insights from all the appointments your loved one is attending, ensuring you are involved and informed.

6. Are you suffering from physical and mental health?

Sometimes it can get overwhelming taking care of aging loved ones that you forget about your health.

If you neglect your mental and physical health because of caring for someone, it’s time to prioritize yourself.

A few questions that can help are,

How are you feeling about caring for your senior loved one?

How do you feel about yourself? Sad, bitter, tired?

Are you getting enough sleep?

Are you getting enough time to yourself?

Are you getting enough time to be with loved ones or children?

If you have negative answers to any of the questions above, it can be a sign to seek help taking care of your loved one.

What you should remember?

Moving your aging parent to an assisted living community can relieve you if you are consistently overwhelmed.

Feelings of tiredness, stress, and being burdened with caring for someone can harm your physical and mental health.

Caring for a loved one shouldn’t mean compromising your own needs, and if you have persistent health problems, it may be time for assisted living.