How to Decide if an Adult Needs Assisted Living
As we age, our chances of needing a bit of help increase. Unlike a nursing home, assisted-living facilities allow residents to live in their own apartments and utilize only the services that they require. Available services may include transportation to doctors and stores, meals, social activities and assistance with the activities of daily living. Deciding whether a loved one needs assisted living can often be challenging. Not all family members, including the person in question, may agree on the proper living arrangements.
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Instructions
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Discuss the situation with your loved one. Some people are afraid to broach the subject for fear of upsetting the person. Most seniors are well aware of their physical condition and mental status, and may already be considering a change in living arrangements. Ask your loved one if she feels comfortable in her current home and how she is managing such tasks as cooking, cleaning and driving.
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Pay attention to your loved one's routine. Some seniors are reluctant to ask for help but have drastically changed their schedules to accommodate increased physical pain or mental difficulties. Does he still play golf on Saturdays? Does she still attend her monthly get-together with "the girls?" Is he eating normally? Look for major changes in routine, particularly the dropping of previously loved activities.
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Assess your loved one's mental status. Does he know which medications to take and when, and can he be counted upon to take them reliably? Is she capable of handling necessary business transactions? Seniors are at increased risk for scams because many criminals see them as an easy target. Is your loved one sharp enough to manage his own affairs?
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Consider the senior's safety. Assisted-living facilities provide independent apartments within a secure complex. Emergency assistance is available 24 hours a day. Seniors living alone in questionable neighborhoods may be at increased risk for crime, although those with strong ties to their neighbors are generally safer.
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Weigh all available options. If the senior is basically independent but needs help in specific areas, such as transportation or meals, community-based resources may be the solution. Paratransit buses can pick the senior up at home and take her to doctor appointments, shopping destinations or community centers. Home-delivered meals are available through many organizations. If the senior lives near relatives, the family may be able to divide up the necessary tasks.
If the senior is afraid to live alone but needs no specific assistance, consider an active adult community. These neighborhoods have minimum age restrictions (often, but not always, 55) and typically offer a clubhouse with ongoing social activities.
If the senior requires skilled nursing services, visiting nurses and nursing homes are possible options. Speak with your loved one's doctor to determine which solution is best.
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Be patient and supportive. Many seniors realize that they need assistance but are reluctant to leave their family home. If your loved one is mentally capable, involve her in the entire process and allow her to make the final decision.
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