Downsizing to an Assisted Living Facilty

More Indicators — Moving Mom or Dad to Assisted Living

We gave you the FIVE ABSOLUTE INDICATORS for moving Mom or Dad to Assisted Living or Memory Care.

Below is a list of a few other things to look for when visiting your parents that may indicate it is time.  Life is not always black and white.  The indicators below may be triggers for you and your loved-one to start touring facilities and planning for the future.

Dementia, whether caused by Alzheimer’s Disease or Stroke or other is a progressive disease.  Though your loved one will have good days, the progress of the brain loss at the date of this writing (3/2016), cannot be stopped.

Face it and plan for this inevitable decline is difficult.  Facing it and making a plan will make the journey smoother and the change less stressful.

 

Time to plan for a possible move is now if you observe the following:

  • Are they no longer able to drive safely?
  • Do they get lost driving?
  • If they need to stop driving and no-one is available to help them get to places a couple times a week.

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  • Poor diet and weight loss.  This may be cured by meals on wheels, an in-home visiting cook, or someone to take them meals. If that doesn’t put the pounds back on then Assisted Living with regular meals and reminders may be just what your loved one needs.
  • You may observe that necessary household repairs are not done or that the lawn care is being neglected.

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You can keep your loved one in their home longer if you find outside help for many chores.

However, remember that the poor decision making skills kept them from seeking out help for these items themselves.  This is a key indicator they need more assistance with daily living.  Life in an Assisted Living Community will reduce their responsibilities, offer them social engagement, and be a safer and more enriching environment.

The best way to introduce your loved one to the idea of a move is to go tour several communities with the idea of planning ahead for the future.   Once they see how nice the apartments can be,  that they can bring some of their belongings with them.  Once they see the activities, the safety, the care and community available, they may feel more comfortable about the decision.

CHANGE

Change can be fun and exciting as well as challenging and difficult.  “The one thing in life that is constant is change,” said someone once.  When you see the signs that change needs to occur, embrace the change.