Things to Consider

While this decision to remain in one’s home is not primarily about you — the son, daughter, grandchild, caregiver — exhaustion can be a good gauge of a decline in older adults’ ability to care for themselves. Keeping someone at home can require lots of hands-on support or care coordination, and this is time-consuming. If you or your loved one’s need for care is becoming unmanageable or if there are feelings of a collective strain regarding caregiving activities, it may be time to start looking at other options.

Safety is crucial, of course, but so is emotional well-being. If someone living alone is riddled with anxieties or increasingly lonely, then that may tip the scales toward a move not solely based on health and safety reasons.

With appropriate permission, your loved one’s primary doctor may share your concerns about his or her patient’s safety at home — or may be able to alleviate those concerns or suggest where to get a home assessment.

Is Assisted Living the Right Decision?

Consider the following questions for you or your loved one:

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Are you or your loved one having difficulty with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)? ADLs are the skills needed to live independently – dressing, shopping, cooking, doing laundry, managing medications, etc.

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Did you or your loved one take a fall, have a medical scare, or get in a fender bender? Who responded and how long did it take?

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How did you or your loved one weather the most recent injury or illness? Was he or she able and willing to seek medical care when needed?

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Do you or your loved one have a chronic condition that is worsening?

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Is you or your loved one showing signs dementia?

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Are you or your loved one experiencing noticeable weight changes? This could indicate poor food choices or meal preparation problems.

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Can you or your loved one rise easily from a chair? Does she or he seem unsteady or unable to balance?

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Are you or your loved exhibiting signs of poor hygiene?

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Do you or your loved one still go on outings with friends, visit with neighbors, or participate in religious activities or other group events?

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Have you or your loved one abandoned hobbies or cancelled club memberships?

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Do you or your loved one spend days without leaving the house?

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Do you or your loved one require someone to check in on them on a regular basis?

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If there’s a fire, tornado, flood, or other disaster, is someone on standby to assist? Do you or your loved one understand the plan?

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Are you or your loved having difficulty managing personal finances or other related personal matters?

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Do you or your loved one have difficulty driving or is nervous about driving themselves?

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Do you or your loved have issues keeping a vehicle maintained?

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Broken appliances. Check them all: microwave, coffeemaker, toaster, washer, and dryer – any device you know your loved one uses (or used to use) routinely.

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Are you or your loved one finding it difficult to keep the house clean and well maintained?

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Are you or your loved one having trouble tending to household pets?

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Are you or your loved one neglecting to retrieve and/or respond to the mail, answer or return phone calls and e-mails?

Did you answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions above?

Assisted living might be right for you.