When Do You Know?
Determining whether you or a loved one is in need of assisted living can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be.
The decision to help an aging adult move out of a current home is a complex on - both emotionally and practically. Spending a few days with your loved one and getting a closer look at their routines can help bring to light their safety and wellbeing. Something a phone call or short visit may not reveal.
Some of the most common signs include:
Disorientation
Weight Loss
Poor Hygiene
Warning signs that could indicate they may need additional assistance:
- Disorientation - slow recall on things, forgetting to pay bills, leaving the stove on, or getting lost on familiar routines
- Noticeable weight loss - it could be because they’re having a hard time cooking their meals or they have a loss of appetite symptomatic of some larger problem
- Poor personal hygiene - wearing the same clothes or bathing infrequently
- Aggression - physical, sexual or violent aggression frequently happen in those with dementia
- Escalating care needs
- Loss of judgment - taking an illogical approach to problem solving
- Noticeable weight loss - not cooking for themselves or eating properly
- Days spent without leaving the house - this sometimes happens because the person can no longer drive or is afraid to take public transportation alone
- Medications - mixing up, running out, or taking incorrect dosages
- Difficulty with home maintenance - avoiding yard work, living in only a few rooms of the house
- Unopened bills - this can indicate that your loved one is having difficulty managing finances
- Depression - excessive sleeping or crying
Everyone has different levels of intensity in their signs, but if these are consistent and on-going, an assessment should be had with your loved one. So your next question may be, "Why Assisted Living?"
If you have more questions about different signs that may be showing in someone or would like to talk to us about our facility, please call us at 218-429-5785 or fill out a contact form here.
You can read more about different signs at a Place for Mom's blog, How to Recognize Signs It's Time for Assisted Living.