We all age, and we all age differently. That is the beauty of life itself. As we watch our senior venture into their golden years, we need to honestly assess the situation. You may have noticed that your senior needs a bit more help than previous days. Maybe it started as a safety measure from driving their car to the grocery store; maybe it has turned into doing household chores; or maybe you’ve watched moments your senior lost their balance and have been able to help your senior to a safe spot. You both were lucky that you were there. What would happen if you were not? When is it time to start the conversation for Assisted Living?
The Time is Never Too Early
If you are thinking my loved senior hasn’t any symptoms of troubles around the home or unbalance or forgetfulness, so I should wait. Think again. Now is probably the best time to approach the conversation about Assisted Living. It is easier to talk about issues when they are not issues yet. It is about planning for the future, just as we plan financially. Early conversations about caregiving will allow you to be ready for when the time comes to need it. Plus, it won’t be as difficult approaching the topic because you have already addressed it.
Are There Troubles with Activities of Daily Living?
Activities of daily living are things like dressing, bathing, grooming, cooking, and safely moving around the home. Are you seeing a decline in everyday activities that your loved senior doesn’t want to see for themselves? In Assisted Living, caregivers are ready for those who need help. From dressing to grooming, bathing to running errands, a team is there to provide assistance to your loved one around the clock. They are there to help your loved one and you do more of what you love when you’re together – enjoying each other’s company.
Does your loved one eat proper nutrition?
How is your loved senior getting groceries and preparing meals for themselves? Are you doing this for them? Are they still cooking themselves? Nutrition plays an important role in overall health. When your senior resides in Assisted Living, proper nutrition and meal planning have been thoughtfully prepared every day for every meal. It is a main component of living that you can stop worrying about when you’re in Assisted Living.
Would your loved one benefit from care coordination?
Physicians, podiatrists, optometrists, hearing specialists, and physical therapists are often on-site for medical services at the Assisted Living Community. The team can help coordinate whatever is needed for your loved senior. These services allow you more time with your loved one without the stress of running around finding the next doctor to visit.
Is your loved one able to socialize where they are now?
The community that Assisted Living gives your loved one is unmatched by simply living at home. Daily activities and gatherings allow for socialization to naturally occur. Research has linked socialization to positive psychological benefits such as increased happiness, increased cognitive health, and even decreased depression. Recognizing your loved senior doesn’t have enough social interaction can be difficult. The best suggestion is put yourself in their place and ask yourself how would you feel? Would there be enough social interaction to feel purpose and enjoyment in life? Or would more interactions be helpful to ward off any feelings of loneliness and isolation?
How are YOU doing?
Seriously, have you taken a moment to see how you are mentally and physically with being a caregiver to your loved one? Burnout, breaking points, and lack of caring for yourself is not uncommon when caring for your loved Senior. You should never neglect taking care of yourself when you’re taking care of another. Playing caregiver does not have to be your role, nor should you feel guilt that can come when starting the conversation of Assisted Living with your loved one. Assisted Living Communities are there to support you and your loved senior by allowing your relationship to return to family members rather than caregiver and patient. Caregivers work around the clock to be there whenever it is needed. That way when you spend time with your loved one you can focus on your personal connections and enjoy your time together.
At Ginter Hall South, we strive to help enable each senior to feel as comfortable as possible and live each day fully, while continuing to look forward to the opportunities of tomorrow. The question remains: is it time to start the conversation? Our associates at Ginter Hall South are here to help. Call (804) 794-7770 or emailing caring@ginterhall.com to help you start the conversation.