Many seniors prefer to age in place at home for as long as possible, but how do you know when it’s time to make a change to their living situation?
Elderly loved ones may decide to downsize and move to a retirement community on their own, or quickly get on board with the idea once it’s presented to them. However, facing the reality that they may no longer be safe to continue living alone can be difficult for many to accept. These are some of the most common indications that your loved one may be reaching the point of needing more care and assistance.
Physical challenges
The aging process looks different for everyone. Declining mobility, progressive loss of sight and hearing, and chronic health issues can impact day-to-day living, especially after a major health event like a heart attack, stroke or serious fall.
Take an inventory of your loved one’s current housing situation. Are they having trouble climbing stairs to reach a second-floor bedroom, or venturing down a steep flight into the basement to do laundry? Is it getting harder for them to get in and out of the bathtub or shower? Are they physically able to keep up with tasks like cleaning, grocery shopping, mowing the lawn and shoveling snow?
Changes in mood or behavior
Older adults can often become isolated, withdrawn or depressed, particularly after the loss of a spouse or partner. A living situation that offers activities and opportunities to interact with other people on a regular basis may fend off feelings of loneliness by providing a much-needed social outlet.
Forgetfulness and confusion
Everyone experiences “senior moments” from time to time as part of the normal aging process, but more serious mental decline can leave your loved one in dangerous and possibly even life- threatening circumstances. Forgetting to turn off the stove after cooking a meal, trouble remembering how and when to take medication, missing appointments, and difficulty recognizing familiar faces and surroundings should all merit medical attention.
Trouble with finances
As mental faculties decline, seniors may find paying bills, balancing checkbooks and managing finances a challenge. Unfortunately, they may also become vulnerable to scams. Watch for unusual changes or charges in your loved one’s accounts and records.
Driving
Many seniors associate driving with independence and will stubbornly refuse to give up the keys even when they know they’re no longer safe to be on the road. Check your loved one’s car regularly for unexplained dents and scratches. If fender benders seem to be occurring more frequently, schedule a driving evaluation with your local bureau of motor vehicles.
An independent living community may be the solution
A Brookfield community fixture for more than 100 years, Cantata Adult Life Services offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Support, Skilled Rehab and Long-Term Care on a scenic 10-acre campus near Chicago. Residents and their families can decide where to enter the Cantata system with the ability to transition between care levels as their health and preferences change.
For more information, visit Cantata.org
“With Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Support, Skilled Rehab and Long-Term Care, we are here to help our residents navigate the progression of their entire life journey, whatever it looks like and whatever they need,”
-Lesya Shoorgot