It can be tough to distinguish normal signs of aging from those that indicate an elder is struggling. Here are a few pointers to tell if it’s time to move to senior living.
Are you beginning to see the signs?
Perhaps your parents or loved one is struggling to bathe safely or get dressed. Are they unable to keep up with the daily household tasks, such as cleaning, repairs or laundry? Or have you noticed they’re not preparing healthy meals as they once did.
One often overlooked change is when older adults are no longer as active and become lonely or possibly isolated at home.
All of these signs can point to an increased risk in declining health, both physical and cognitive, and may require intervention as they most likely will not self-correct. But adult children can be uncertain in knowing when additional help is needed.
You may be asking yourself – is it time for your loved one to move into a senior living community?
Recognizing when it’s time for senior living
While individuals can respond differently to aging depending on their abilities, there are a few common signs that the behavior may be exceeding what they are capable of handling on their own.
The following indications can help you decide if it might be time for senior living:
Sign #1: The home is not accessible or age-friendly
One of the first signs that a change may be needed is if their existing home is not accessible and would require extensive and expensive renovations to create an age-friendly environment. It’s hard to live your best life if you are unable to safely navigate your house.
Sign #2: Struggling with the tasks of daily living
Common occurrences that may signal your parents need more help is if they are no longer able to manage the tasks of daily living without assistance. This could include dressing, bathing, grooming or managing their medications. If family members or neighbors are needed to assist on a daily basis, it may be time to consider senior living and the professional help that is available.
Sign #3: No longer eating healthy meals
Your parents know that a healthy diet is a great contributor to living and aging well. But are you beginning to notice empty cabinets or expired food in the refrigerator? Are they relying more on processed foods, snacks or skipping meals altogether? This might be a sign that they can no longer go shopping or are unable to prepare healthy meals.
Sign #4: Increased loneliness and loss of friends
Listen carefully to how your parents describe spending their days. Are they enjoying the comradery of friends or filling their time at home alone? As we grow older, we can lose friends and family members or not be able to see them due to mobility or transportation issues. But loneliness can lead to serious negative health impacts.
Sign #5: Less participation in activities
Are your parents no longer participating in activities they once enjoyed? Do they speak less about engaging times and instead are experiencing boredom, watching more television or spending increased hours sleeping during the day? The reasons can range from fewer opportunities to an inability to join in with others, but the results are the same – an increased risk to their health.
Sign #6: No longer exercising
Did your parents once take daily walks, ride their bikes or make a regular appearance at their gym? Did they enjoy taking a class in yoga or stretching, helping them to improve their balance and decrease falling? It’s so important to remain physically and cognitively active as we grow older but the opportunities to do so can become more difficult.
Sign #7: No longer driving
Many older adults say that they began losing their independence once they were no longer able to drive. Most of us live in communities that are not walkable and require an automobile or mass transportation to get around. It’s much easier to become isolated at home if we hesitate to ask for rides or if alternative options are not available.
Sign #8: Increased worry and feeling less secure
It’s not uncommon as we grow older to become more concerned about our personal safety or our ability to manage living at home. Your parents may worry about what they would do if they became ill or injured and were alone. They may not feel as safe in the neighborhood as they once did. If their home is not age-friendly, they may find daily life frustrating and challenging.
Retirement living in Waukegan, Illinois
Galloway Senior Living, locally owned and operated, provides luxury and quality care for families in our community.
Assisted Living at Galloway Senior Living offers beautiful and contemporary private residences that range from alcove studios to two-bedrooms and include high-end stainless-steel appliances, maple hardwood cabinets, cultured marble countertops and thoughtfully curated décor and colors.
Our Memory Care community offers a family kitchen, dining room, walking garden, and lounge.
Our services include:
- 24-hour certified nursing assistants, on-staff licensed nurses, medication management, and on-site physician visits
- COVID-19 safety protocols
- Assistance with daily tasks
- Readily available safe transportation
- A fall-reduction program
- In-unit emergency response systems including an electronic monitoring system for exit doors
- On-site entertainment and activities personalized to reflect the residents’ preferences
- Housekeeping and linen services including personal laundry
Amenities you’ll find at Galloway Senior Living include:
- Country Café and Convenience Store
- Salon and Spa
- Theater with 85″ television
- Activity and Craft Center
- Game Room
- Library and Business Center
- Fitness Center
If you or your family is considering retirement living in Wadsworth, Illinois, we hope you will visit our community at Galloway Senior Living. We are a trusted resource and are here to answer any questions.