Most of us don’t want to think about our parents getting older. But the truth of the matter is that it will happen – even if we’re not mentally ready for it. While we all like to think that Mom and Dad will be able to stay in their homes for the rest of their lives, there may come a time when a health crisis or other issues will require you to move your parents into an assisted living community. When is the right time to consider this?

It’s Tougher for Them to Do Daily Activities

If your parents are having trouble doing activities likes cooking or even dressing themselves, then an assisted living facility can be a good choice for them. As parents get older, it can be harder to do daily living activities. This doesn’t mean that they still aren’t independent in many ways, but they might need just more assistance to get through the day.

They Often Forget to Take Medications

Medications are important, and forgetting to take them – or taking too many – can be life threatening to your parents. If you notice that there are expired medications in the house or your parent has ended up in the hospital for taking too many pills, these are all signs that it’s time for some more help.

At an assisted living facility, experienced medical staff will ensure that medications are distributed and that your family member is taking them properly.

Your Parents Feel Isolated

It can be tough for you to visit as often. If your parents don’t have a good social circle, this can lead to many issues, including depression and drinking. If you notice an increase in unhealthy habits in your parents or a decline in their health – since isolation can lead to premature death – you should consider an assisted living community.

Decline in Mental Faculties or Changes in Personality

Changes in personality, forgetfulness or aggression that isn’t normal could be indicative of larger issues. These might be difficult for you to deal with on your own, and your parents might need more assistance to get through the day.

Increased Frailty

As adults get older, many will develop different types of chronic diseases. These can lead to major health concerns that require management. Plus, your parent might become frailer, meaning that falls can result in serious injury or even death.

They Can’t Do Things Around the House

As anyone gets older, yard work, cleaning, and regular house maintenance gets harder. If your parent is experiencing issues with taking care of the home, then you could get a maid to assist with the work. That, however, is an extra expense that might cut into an already tight budget. Many older people will still try do work around their own homes that could be risky. If they simply can’t take care of their property anymore, it would be easier on them to sell it and move into a community where these things are addressed by others.

Inability to Take Care of Their Own Finances

If bills are being missed or taxes aren’t being filed, then this could indicate that your senior parents just can’t take care of these anymore. Especially if a family member is suffering from any type of dementia, this can get harder as the years go by. If you’re not careful, your parent may even fall victim to financial scams that will have an even bigger impact on Mom’s or Dad’s finances.

They’re Just Not Eating Well

As we get older, it becomes harder and harder to cook or even go to the grocery store. If you’re finding unhealthy or even lots of expired foods, or your parent is rapidly losing or gaining weight, they might not be eating right. An assisted living facility will have a chef that will offer healthy meals throughout the day.

How Do I Approach the Subject?

It’s not easy to broach this subject with parents who have been used to living on their own for decades. In fact, you might even get a violent reaction. It’s important to take steps to make the move easier. Don’t only talk about the positives of moving into an assisted living facility or make empty promises.

Listen to their frustrations and fears. Be ready to address them and comfort your parents. Work closely with them to find a retirement community that matches their current lifestyle. Ensure that your parent’s needs are taken care of at their new home. Help them meet new people, and visit often.

While you might have a lot of guilt about making this move, remember it’s for their own good. They’ll be better protected and will quickly meet likeminded people.

Why Choosing The Mansions Is the Right Choice?

At The Mansions, we pride ourselves on our caring staff. With our different levels of care, we can accommodate every need of our clients. With locations in both Oklahoma and Georgia, our residents can take advantage of different activities, meal plans and fitness options. Learn more now!

If you’re in the process of evaluating senior living communities, you might have come across the following types: senior independent living, assisted living, and memory care. You may be wondering what’s the difference between these different communities – and which one is right for you or your loved.

To help you narrow down your choices, we review each type today!

Independent Senior Living

This is the perfect place for seniors who are able to take care of themselves but want to reduce their responsibilities. Independent senior living communities offer a wide variety of amenities, including wellness and fitness centers, activities like happy hours, classes, libraries, transportation to shopping districts, and more.

The main reason that many seniors choose this option is because they no longer want to be concerned about house upkeep – and all the expenses that come along with it. If you’re on a fixed budget, taking care of broken appliances, buying groceries, and paying utilities can start to run up. This doesn’t even include the need to cook, do laundry, and clean your home. If you choose to outsource those tasks, that’s also another expense.

All-inclusive independent senior living communities will be a set price that includes everything from transportation to chef-prepared meals to housekeeping. Typical arrangements are senior living apartments, but some other places will offer larger condos or townhomes. Depending on your preferences, you can have a space as large or as small as you desire.

Assisted Living

While independent living communities are intended for active seniors who just don’t want to maintain a house, assisted living communities are designed for seniors who will need help with daily living tasks like bathing, grooming, getting in and out of bed, and more. These communities are designed with safety in mind since many of these seniors will have trouble navigating traditional setups.

These safety features can range from daily check-ins by a staff member or nurse to an in-room emergency system. Staff members will be specially hired to support patients in this group. In fact, 24-hour care will be provided to ensure that residents maintain their quality of life.

Assisted living communities offer nearly the same amenities as an independent living community. Residents will still have access to all sorts of activities like game nights, exercise classes, workshops, outings, and more. There will be plenty of opportunity to socialize with other seniors.

The types of individuals who would be best suited for an assisted living facility will vary. For example, if a patient has dementia, but only needs some help daily activities, that person could thrive in an assisted living community. If the dementia is too far along, then these individuals might do better in a memory care community. Memory care communities typically have more safety features, which decreases the chances of a patient having to deal with an unsafe environment.

Memory Care

While assisted living communities can help a wide variety of seniors who need assistance, memory care communities are for seniors who have degenerative memory issues, including dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Activities in these communities will typically focus on dementia-specific types of activities. For example, music therapy has been shown to help those with dementia access different parts of their brain. There are also types of memory games that can help with memory loss. The goal is to create an environment that will have a positive impact on the senior’s life.

Since residents with memory issues often showcase challenging behaviors, special steps need to be taken to ensure their safety. They may be prone to wandering off so door alarms may be added. Staff will be specifically trained in memory care to help the residents. Many seniors with dementia or other memory issues might become easily confused and get lost. Each community will have 24-hour supervision to ensure that seniors are safe at all times.

Which One Do I Choose?

Before selecting a community, you need to consider your or your loved one’s needs. Are you able to easily handle daily tasks, or do you need a little help? Is your mother or grandmother capable of living with just a little assistance, or has the person’s memory problems progressed too far?

There may also be a “between” stage. Your loved one may be able to live at an assisted living facility until the dementia progresses and then move into a memory care community.

All Levels of Care at Mansions

At Mansions, we offer communities for all levels of care, including senior independent living, assisted living, and memory care. We have trained staff who specialize in geriatric care as well as hold advanced certifications in dementia care. If you’re not sure which community would work best for you, we’ll gladly be a resource during your decision-making process. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you!