5 Signs That it's Time for a Senior to Go to Assisted Living

For many seniors, there comes a time when they can benefit from around-the-clock care. They can utilize at-home caregivers and meal services for a time, but depending on the circumstances, the task may become too much for one person. While there are many individuals who take care of their parents themselves, nearly one third of them have admitted that it’s stressful, and understandably so. If you know a senior that’s exhibiting some of these behaviors, it may be time to look into an assisted living home.

1. Difficulties Performing Everyday Activities

You may find that the senior in question struggles with tasks that were previously easier for them. Some of these may include getting dressed, tending to hygiene habits, or losing bladder control and needing to use booster pads. It will be easier on your loved one if they have someone to help them carry out these tasks.

2. A Weakened Immune System

It’s harder to recover from ailments such as the cold or the flu when you’re older—ones that you used to bounce right back from. This is because one’s immune system can become compromised in old age, and certain illnesses often become more dangerous. With this in mind, the elderly will need someone around to help them recover.

3. They Become Forgetful

If your loved one starts to forget things such as taking medication or recent conversations, they may be at the beginning stages of dementia. This is something that’s common in older adults, but this means extra care is needed. If your elderly loved one begins to exhibit signs of forgetfulness, schedule a doctor’s appointment and consider finding a home that specializes in caring for those with memory loss.

4. Their Diet Changes

There comes a time when a senior’s diet may start to suffer. This may be because they’re no longer cooking, their digestive system has changed, or because they have trouble getting to the grocery store to get food. We don’t have to tell you that a healthy diet is essential for any individual, so this is something that needs to be remediated immediately.

5. Compromised Safety

If your loved one begins to experience memory loss or has trouble moving around, their safety could become compromised. You don’t want them to fall in their home and have no access to immediate help. If forgetfulness is the issue, they could start to wander and find themselves in unfamiliar situations. You can rest easy that they won’t experience any physical harm if you know someone is there to aide them at all times.