Making the decision to put a friend or loved on in an assisted living facility is one of the hardest you will ever make. You wait for signs and hope for improvement, but still you feel that they need some sort of extra care you cannot provide. If talking to the doctors and other staff member that help them doesn’t set your mind at ease, here are six signs you can look for to verify that the person is unable to live unassisted any longer.
1. They don’t take their Medications Regularly
Not taking medications can be a big problem. If either they tend to forget or they just don’t take them; they can suffer great health repercussions from this. If they won’t or can’t take their medications alone, it may be time to have an assisted living facility handle their care.
2. They don’t Bathe
Taking a bath and or showering are one of the most important aspects in self-care. As a person ages, they have a hard time getting in and out of the shower. There are other methods of being able to wash though. If you find that your friend or loved one is not keeping themselves clean; you need help.
3. They are unable to keep their Home Clean
Keeping the home in a sanitary manor is important for their overall health. If they cannot take out the trash, keep the kitchen counters and commode clean; they need to have someone help them. If you’ve tried a home health service but that doesn’t seem to be doing the job, assisted living may be a better option.
4. They are Confused
If and when Adult Protective Services steps into a case, they often ask a few questions about the current state of affairs. They want to know if the person knows their name, address, and the current president of the country. If all of things can be verified, a person is usually doing pretty well. “Confusion can come and go, and the level of confusion can determine whether it is safe for a person to live in a home alone,” according to Anchor Way Senior Care.
5. Not Getting the Proper Nutrition
Often, an elderly person will forget to eat or is not getting the proper nutrition. If there are signs of malnourishment, like not getting the proper nutrition, they could benefit from someone who can oversee this part of their life. Assisted living could be the answer.
6. Their Health is Declining
If a medical condition is declining and the person just doesn’t feel well more often than not, it’s time to have someone else intervene. If the health matter is of a serious nature, they may need help sooner rather than later.
It’s always a tough call to make the decision to put a friend or loved one in a facility. However, when you do it with the best interests of their well-being in mind; you’re doing the right thing.
