Many older adults can benefit from receiving assistance in their daily lives. As a caregiver, you will probably be the first person to notice when your loved one needs more help than you are able to give yourself. Below, learn about some of the most common signs your loved one may benefit from assisted living and discover what types of resources are out there.
Declining Mobility
If your loved one begins having trouble getting around safely, it can be a big red flag. Struggling to get up from a chair, having more frequent falls, or letting housework slip can all be warning signs that your loved one can’t move around as easily as before.
Losing mobility is dangerous because it makes your loved one more prone to injury. But the risks go far beyond that. According to Harvard Health, declining mobility creates a domino effect that impacts seniors’ social lives, mental health, and medical conditions. When seniors lose mobility, they are less likely to leave the house, which can affect their friendships while also triggering loneliness and depression. When mobility issues are serious enough to make a senior fear getting up from their bed or chair, it can even cause infections that lead to incontinence and other serious medical issues.
Trouble Managing Medications
Managing medication is difficult for a number of reasons. Aging care explains that seniors may struggle taking medication due to vision problems, memory loss, or even a lack of income that makes it hard to access the medications they need.
If your loved one frequently forgets to take medication, takes the wrong pills, or doesn’t follow their doctor’s instructions, it can significantly affect their health. When you are unable to be there to remind or assist your loved one, it might be time for assisted living or other services that provide regular care.
Difficulty Cooking
Good nutrition is crucial at every age, but many seniors struggle to eat regularly and prepare healthy meals. Depression, dental issues, trouble swallowing, and a number of other factors can affect your loved one’s diet. And while there are ways to encourage your loved one to eat when you’re around, it’s important that they are eating regularly even during times when you’re not with them.
Caregiver Burnout
As a caregiver, you pour a lot of your time and energy into caring for your loved one. While you want to do everything you can to help, providing assistance can also leave you feeling drained physically and emotionally. This is often referred to as caregiver burnout.
It’s important to pay attention to your loved one’s needs, but it’s never a good sign when you begin neglecting your own needs. If you’re experiencing this, it might indicate that your loved one needs more care than you can provide yourself.
Many caregivers feel guilty when they get overwhelmed, but accepting help is not a sign of failure. There are many senior services to take advantage of in the community, such as home health aides, case management services, and more.
Resources for Helping Your Loved One
There are countless resources available for caregivers trying to help their loved ones lead happier and healthier lives. Assisted living may ultimately be the best solution for your family member, but these resources can also help you take care of your loved one.
How to Talk to Your Parents About Assisted Living
How to Pay for Nursing Home Care
4 New Law Changes That May Affect Your Retirement Plan
10 Exercises to Help Seniors Improve Balance, Mobility, and Fitness
Help Your Senior Get Organized and Remember to Take Medications
What Do You Do When Your Elderly Parent Won’t Eat?
23 Popular Online and In-Person Caregiver Support Groups
Being a caregiver is no easy task, but when it becomes impossible to provide everything your loved one needs, it might be time to consider assisted living. Paying attention to warning signs that your loved one needs a greater level of care is sometimes the best thing you can do to help.