Knowing when it’s time to move to assisted living and a more supportive environment can be tricky. You don’t want to give up your independence, but you can no longer do many of the things you enjoy doing. It’s hard to become dependent on other people for help. Emotionally, you can feel like you’re not the same person you’ve always been and that can be frustrating and depressing. How do you adjust to a new “normal” and seek support?
One of the biggest factors in determining that you need support is when you are no longer able to drive. Whether it’s cognitive impairment, vision changes, or slow reflexes, there can come a time when it’s no longer safe for you to be on the road. For you and for others.
But not being able to drive forces you to stay home more than you like. You’re no longer able to get to your appointments on your own, you lose the ability to socialize with friends and family, and you become isolated from the world outside.
Your health can also begin to suffer when you become homebound. Not only are you not getting exercise by being active, but you can also begin to suffer from depression and loneliness. On top of that, if you can’t make regular trips to the grocery store, your diet may suffer from not being able to buy ingredients for healthy, balanced meals.
When you’re not as mobile as you once were, taking care of your home can become a challenge as well. It’s hard to clean the house and take care of the yard if you can’t get around as well as you once did.
WHEN DO YOU KNOW IT’S TIME TO MOVE TO ASSISTED LIVING?
Losing your mobility and your ability to drive are big factors in deciding it’s time to transition to a supportive environment like an assisted living or retirement community, but there are other signs as well that you may want to consider:
A SLOW RECOVERY FROM ILLNESS
If you’ve recently suffered an illness or a stay in the hospital and your recovery is going slow, it may mean that your body is not able to heal as well as it once did. Even a simple illness like a cold or flu can set you back if you can get yourself to the doctor. Untreated viruses can lead to more severe illnesses that can mean a long recovery time if you can’t drive yourself to a medical appointment. Maintaining your health is imperative so you must be able to seek medical attention when you need it. If you can’t get medical attention when needed, it may be time to consider moving to a facility that provides on-site medical support.
DIFFICULTY MANAGING DAILY LIFE
You need to be able to do some things for yourself to remain independent. These include showering, dressing, shopping, cooking meals, laundry, and managing your medications. There may be other daily responsibilities you need to be able to manage, like caring for your pet, cleaning your house, and tending to your yard. If you’re not able to handle these basic daily activities, a supportive environment is just what you need to be able to live your life to the fullest.
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN WEIGHT
If you’ve recently experienced a sudden weight loss or weight gain, you must figure out why. Weight loss can be attributed to something as simple as being unable to shop for healthy food and prepare balanced meals. But it can also mean that you’re suffering from depression or that you have an illness. Sudden weight gains can also be attributed to a variety of illnesses.
MOBILITY ISSUES
Are you having trouble getting up from a sitting position or feeling unsteady on your feet? If this is an ongoing occurrence and not a result of a recent illness or injury, it’s time to consider assisted living. Mobility issues can lead to severe injury. And injuries can lead to additional health problems as you get older. If you’re unable to move around your house on your own easily, it’s probably not safe for you to be there. This is probably one of the most important considerations when moving to an assisted living community.
MONEY ISSUES
Yes, having issues managing your money can be a sign that you should no longer live alone. Are you going through your mail, paying your bills on time, managing your incoming mail by sorting it, trashing junk mail, and keeping the rest organized? Forgetting to pay bills or not knowing where your money went can be a sign of dementia. If you’ve lost track of money and you’re having trouble keeping up with your bills, it’s time to get help from someone you trust, and it may be time to consider a move to an environment that will be safer and easier for you to manage.
TROUBLE GETTING AROUND
If you’ve always driven yourself around to run errands and get to your appointments and you’re now having trouble, it’s time to get off the road. Your car and others can be damaged if you can’t determine how close or far away you are. And if you’re feeling tense or you’re easily distracted while driving, you can be a danger to yourself and others. Many drivers, as they get older, change their driving patterns. They drive different routes to stay off the highways or drive only during daylight to avoid night driving. These are normal habits. But if you can’t properly judge the distance between you and another car or you lose your way when driving a route you frequently take, it’s time to stop driving. Getting off the road can mean losing your independence and your ability to live a normal life. Choosing an assisted living environment can help you live a more comfortable lifestyle while keeping you in one location.
Deciding to give up your independence and move to assisted living and a more supportive environment can be a difficult decision to make. But for your health and safety, as well as those around you, it can be a very important decision to make.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
Stop searching alone. Call us now at 352-766-5274 so you can make THE BEST Choice—a choice that will meet your needs and wants!
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And just like you, I’ve been a caregiver.
I share my knowledge and tips to help seniors and families as they navigate the complicated process of senior living options.
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