Observing a parent’s health decline can be difficult. You may notice your parent or aging loved one struggle with bathing and dressing each day or even have a few close calls while driving. Sometimes, acknowledging these signs can be hard, and you may not realize how much your parent struggles with daily activities.
In this blog from Golden Bell Senior Living, get tips on what signs to watch for as your parent ages to help identify when assisted living care may be a good option.
6 ways to help identify when your aging parent may need assisted living care
Take time to assess your parent’s living situation to ensure their needs are met, and they can live with purpose, safety, and social connections. Your loved one may require additional care, and assisted living could be the solution to a higher quality of life and independence.
Here are six categories to evaluate when assessing your loved one:
#1 Safety
You want peace of mind knowing your loved one is safe when living alone. Are you confident they can call for help in case of an emergency? Do they sometimes forget to turn off kitchen appliances? Here are additional questions to consider:
- Does your parent get disoriented in familiar places?
- Has your loved one fallen or been deemed at high risk of falling by their physician due to medication, balance, or a health condition?
- Is emergency assistance nearby in case of health, fire, or a natural disaster?
Related: Discover how senior living can provide safety and security >>
#2 Health
You’ll want to think about your parent’s health. Have they been recently diagnosed with a health condition that may require more care? Have they experienced a sudden weight loss or gain? Here are more things to evaluate:
- Does your loved one struggle with mobility? For example, is it hard for them to safely navigate stairs in the home or get up from furniture?
- Are they mismanaging their medications? For example, is your parent forgetting to take medicine or taking too much or too little?
#3 Social
Social connection is critical as we age. It’s important that your parent has easy access to friends, family, and meaningful activities. Older adults are at a higher risk of isolation and depression, so you’ll want to ensure they aren’t regularly feeling lonely or disconnected from loved ones. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- What social opportunities are available for your parent?
- Does your parent seem to avoid activities they previously enjoyed?
- Does your parent have active friendships?
Related: Explore the importance of socialization as we age >>
#4 Household tasks
Keeping up with home maintenance, bills, and laundry can be increasingly challenging as we age. Think about what tasks are especially difficult for your parent:
- Is your loved one finding yard work, house cleaning, shopping, and other chores challenging?
- Does your loved one feel overwhelmed with getting ready for the day? For example, is showering, dressing, and toileting exhausting for them?
- Have bills been left unpaid?
- Are your parent’s pets well cared for?
#5 Transportation
Driving can be a sensitive subject with an aging loved one. Giving up your car can often feel like letting go of your independence completely. However, you don’t want to ignore situations where your parent is putting themselves or others in danger. Consider the following when assessing transportation needs:
- Has your parent gotten lost when out driving in familiar areas?
- Is your parent reacting more slowly to changing traffic conditions?
- Does your loved one seem anxious about driving alone?
- Is your parent making dangerous choices while driving? For example, are they driving too fast or slow, tailgating, drifting across lanes, or confusing the gas and brake pedals?
Related: Learn what to look for when touring a senior living community >>
#6 Nutrition
Eating freshly prepared, nutritious meals is essential for older adults. Living an active lifestyle with the proper diet can help improve your mood and lessen your risk for health conditions. Is your parent skipping meals or finding it difficult to buy food on their own? Have you observed any of the following:
- Are many items in their fridge or pantry stale and expired?
- Is your parent living primarily on TV dinners or other unhealthy foods?
- Does your loved one lead a sedentary lifestyle where they sit most of the day?
Related: See what types of amenities are offered in senior living >>
If you answered yes to many of these questions, your loved one may be a good fit for an assisted living community. Assisted living provides senior-friendly accommodations, freshly prepared meals, supportive care with daily activities, and a full schedule of life-enriching programs and classes. The assisted living environment promotes an independent lifestyle while freeing older adults from the burdens of home ownership, cooking, and other tasks.
Discover assisted living in South Florida and South Carolina
Assisted living residents of Golden Bell’s Independence Hall and Williamsburg Landing in Wilton Manors, Florida, and Cumberland Hills in Aiken, South Carolina, enjoy resort-style living plus the additional support and assistance they need to live independently.
Assisted living includes a comprehensive activities program, delicious chef-prepared meals, and beautiful apartment suites. You can learn more about our assisted living communities on our website.
Life at Golden Bell Senior Living
Senior living communities like Golden Bell provide the comforts of home with the added benefits of supportive care, engaging activities, and a maintenance-free lifestyle. With your daily needs met, your loved one will live more independently and have opportunities to meet friends, discover new interests, and live each day to the fullest.
Golden Bell Senior Living offers a full continuum of care, including independent living, assisted living, and respite care. Residents have personalized care plans, are treated like family, and are greeted by name in a warm, welcoming environment.
Amenities and activities include:
- Beautiful accommodations
- Landscaped grounds and gardens
- Community outings
- Recreation and social activities
- Chef-prepared meals
- Scheduled transportation
- Beauty and barber shop
- Housekeeping and maintenance services
Please contact us to learn more about our communities or set up a tour. We’d love to hear from you and are happy to help answer any questions you have about senior living. For more information about choosing senior living, download our complimentary Family Decision Toolkit.
