Living with an elderly loved one is a difficult reality for hundreds of families across the United States. In fact, there are more than 40 million individuals taking care of elderly relatives, friends, or neighbors without compensation.

If you’re in this boat, it might be time to invest in assisted living services for your elderly loved one. Senior housing can take the burden off your back as well as provide professional care to your aging friend or relative. 

To help you decide whether it’s time to send your loved one to a skilled nursing facility or not, we’ve put together this guide. Here are a few signs that it’s time to consider an assisted living facility. 

They’ve Had Several Recent Falls

If your loved one is struggling with frequent falls, it’s definitely time to start thinking about senior care. Falls in the home can be extremely dangerous to their health. 

For one thing, if a senior adult has a fall when no one is there to help them, they could suffer serious injuries. Plus, it’s a sign that they’re not able to take care of themselves in the way that they need to to be healthy. 

At a senior living facility, staff works around the clock to ensure that falls do not occur. And, in the rare event that one does, they’re able to give the adult the support and care that they need. 

Their Health Is Declining

As we age, our bodies undergo several changes. These changes can lead to the development of new or chronic health issues. 

When we develop these issues, we can stay sick for extended periods of time. This can require 24-hour care to ensure we heal properly. 

If you have a loved one that falls into this category it could be time to sign them up for an assisted living facility. That way you can ensure their needs are met at all times.

They Struggle to Complete Daily Activities

If your loved one is having a hard time completing daily tasks such as doing the laundry or sweeping the kitchen, it might be time to think about assisted living. 

An assisted living facility will take care of all the daily chores that your loved one is struggling with. Plus, that will give them more time to focus on hobbies and socializing. 

Their Eating Habits and Hygiene Are Declining

When older adults stop properly caring for themselves, they may start to neglect their hygiene, diet, or exercise routine. This can lead them to get sick more often or to struggle with infection and other illnesses. 

For example, if a person isn’t able to maneuver their way through the kitchen anymore they may not be able to prepare healthy meals. This can lead to malnutrition which can spiral into other health issues. 

At an assisted living facility, adults receive all their meals rather than having to cook them. Plus they have the support they need to complete other daily activities such as bathing. 

They’re Struggling With Isolation and Sadness

One of the more common difficulties that aging adults struggle with is depression. Because they no longer have the same mobility or independence, they can begin to feel isolated and alone. 

Assisted living centers can combat this issue by creating a welcoming community where residents interact in social events. They’ll have companionship from the caregivers and staff as well as with other residents. 

They’ve Become Aggressive

It’s not uncommon for people struggling with dementia to become aggressive. In fact, the Alzheimer’s Association has conducted numerous studies on the link between this type of behavior and dementia and Alzheimers. 

If you have a loved one who has become aggressive due to confusion and memory loss, an assisted living residence may be a good choice for them. In an assisted living environment they can be closely monitored by professionals. 

In addition, assisted living professionals have the skills, experience, and expertise needed to help people struggling with this issue. They can make your aging adult more comfortable as they work through the challenges of cognitive decline. 

Their Mobility Is Worsening

If your loved one is struggling to go up and down the stairs or to move around the home, it may be time to think about a senior care home. 

While it’s possible to have renovations done on the home to make it easier for them to move around, these are often costly. To save money and time, it can be a lot easier to move your loved one into an assisted living facility instead. 

They’re Constantly Wandering Off

Does your aging family member or loved one have a habit of wandering off? Do they constantly seem to be getting lost when they’re out and about?

If you can’t shake the feeling that your loved one is going to walk off and get lost, it may be time to enroll in a senior care facility. Failure to do so could mean that your aging adult wanders off and gets into a serious situation. 

However, in a senior care facility, they are kept safe at all times. They are only able to wander so far, and if they get lost there are caretakers working 24-hours a day to help them out. 

You’re Feeling Burnt Out

While you might be full of energy and ready to tackle the challenge when you first start caring for an older adult, that energy can quickly diminish. That’s especially true when your stress levels are running high. 

Many caregivers get burnout from the added responsibility, hard work, and stress that comes with caring for a senior. When that happens, your health and well-being can take a toll and affect your ability to care for your aging adult.

Invest in Assisted Living Services

Assisted living services can be a game-changer for everyone involved in an aging individual’s life. They can provide support for the family, the current caregiver, and the senior citizen. 

If you feel that your loved one is ready to sign up for an assisted living home, we’re here to help. Give us a call today and we’ll help you and your loved one live happily ever after.