Do you find yourself struggling to take care of your loved ones as they age? If your answer is yes, you are not alone. As one ages, many issues can arise, and sometimes it is more than what you are equipped to handle. When that happens, you should consider the option of assisted living. But how do you know if it is the best choice for your family? Here are 5 signs that assisted living is the right option for your loved ones.
Poor Diet
Are your loved ones losing too much weight or progressively seem less energetic? Or perhaps you notice food going bad in their refrigerator? If any of this is happening, it is likely that your family member is suffering from a poor diet or poor eating habits. And that means they are not consuming enough nutrients for them to remain healthy, and this can even lead to health complications. Hence, assisted living can be the solution to this worrying issue. That is because an assisted living community can provide your loved ones with regular and nutritious meals that are tailored to their dietary preferences and needs. Hence, even if your loved ones have medical conditions like diabetes, you can rest assured that the food is professionally prepared to best suit them. An assisted living community is also suitable for your family members if they are unable to cook and struggle to find nutritious food to eat.
Loneliness
Did you know that loneliness is a rampant issue among mature adults? According to a University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) study, more than 40% of mature adults regularly experience loneliness. And loneliness can lead to serious mental and physical health issues. While you can provide social connections for your loved ones, sometimes you can only do so much. At times, it can also be difficult to always be there for your family members or be able to provide the right companionship. If this happens, it is a sign that your loved ones should consider assisted living community. An assisted living community has plenty of social activities, opportunities, and amenities that can encourage social connections for them. In addition, a community of like-minded people and dedicated team members ensures your loved ones will always have someone to talk to. For example, they can talk to their friends over meals in communal dining spaces, or enjoy games with the community.
Difficult to Care for
One other sign that assisted living is the right choice is if you find it increasingly difficult to care for your loved ones. And this can come in many forms. From struggling to handle all their daily life activities, to increasing frustration levels by the amount of care required. If this is you, you do not need to feel guilty. In fact, this is a very common struggle among caregivers. It is easy to get burnout from caring for your loved ones, especially if you have to care for your parents, yourself, and your children. Moreover, as your loved ones age, they might be less capable to do things on their own. And that means you will need to help them more as time pass and be unable to get the rest that you need. Or perhaps your loved ones are also struggling with daily activities like housework or getting dressed. Hence, an assisted living community can help them best. Not only will they be able to provide 24/7 professional help, but the team is also well experienced and equipped with more knowledge to aid your loved ones better.
