The CDC states that around 1 in 4 seniors fall every year, with many of those leading to severe injuries. Another problem is that once a person falls once, they’ve already doubled their chances of falling again in the future.
A high risk of falling is a clear sign of when to move from independent to assisted living, but what are other signs? When is it time to re-evaluate your living conditions?
We’re here to help you make the right decision. Keep reading to learn more about the signs of needing assisted living so you never compromise your well-being.
Safety Concerns
Along with falling, other safety concerns may continue to arise as you age. What was once a simple task may now present a safety hazard.
For example, cooking can be an issue for many seniors. If you have trouble gripping the chef’s knife, you might lose control of the blade and cut yourself. It may only be a small cut at first, but the risk of a bigger injury is always there.
The layout of your home may also be a safety hazard. Long flights of stairs can make it tricky to reach other parts of your home and can heighten the risk of falling.
Minor concerns your family might have had before escalate into bigger concerns as the years go by.
If your loved ones often tell you that they’re worried for your safety, it’s time to take those concerns seriously. It’s not an easy conversation, but the benefits of assisted living can make the difficulty worthwhile for everyone involved.
Worsening Health Conditions
Have you recently been diagnosed with a debilitating health condition? Have any of your current conditions taken a downward turn?
These are both significant reasons that point towards the necessity of transitioning to assisted care.
You might need a community staff member nearby in case of a flare-up of your condition. They’ll know how to help you with anything you need throughout your normal routine. They’ll also be ready to call for emergency services when necessary.
In an independent living apartment, no one may be nearby when these issues occur, which could result in a lengthy delay of proper care. Assisted living communities ensure that there’s a watchful staff member who knows how to spot issues before they become a health scare.
Cognitive Decline
Aging and forgetfulness are unavoidable partners in life. It’s not unheard of to forget something once in a while. Even people in their 20s can lose track of things.
When that forgetfulness starts to put you in dangerous situations, however, it’s time to consider the benefits of assisted living vs independent living.
The trouble is that noticing your forgetfulness is often impossible. This is when you need to rely on your loved ones and your health providers. They’ll have a better overview of how much your memory is affecting your well-being.
Medication Mismanagement
Another thing to consider is whether or not you’re able to keep up with your medication without accidents. Taking the wrong dose of a medication can have lasting detrimental effects on your overall health.
Depending on the medicines you take, it could even end up with you needing immediate care.
As soon as you realize that medication times and dosages are becoming a problem, it’s vital to your well-being to begin choosing an assisted living community. With the help of this community, you’ll keep your overall health at its peak and ensure your body gets the medication it needs to enjoy life to the fullest.
Skipping Meals
Getting the right amount of nutrients every day is crucial to healthy living. Putting the energy into cooking a well-balanced meal can be too much for some seniors.
If you’re skipping meals more often than not, you could start to suffer from malnourishment and may even pass out if symptoms get too bad.
An assisted community will have a trained culinary team on site who will make delicious meals so you don’t have to worry about it anymore. You’ll meet your nutritional needs and enjoy eating the meals all at the same time.
Self-Isolation
When was the last time you left your independent home? Have you canceled plans with friends or family more than you’d realized?
Isolation is a tricky issue to deal with as a senior. It may no longer be a simple task for you to go out into the Tampa Bay area and visit your favorite venues.
Socialization is key to living a healthy life and once you start to self-isolate, it’s easier to keep staying home. Soon, you might realize you don’t leave your home much at all.
This could lead to problems such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loneliness
- Stress
- Irritability
- Poor sleeping habits
With an assisted living community, you’ll have easy access to plenty of activities, events, and gatherings. It won’t feel like such a chore to seek social opportunities. You’ll make friends who’ll help encourage you to engage and stay involved with the rest of the community.
Housework Avoidance
Household chores can feel like a neverending trial for seniors with limited energy reserves. You might tend to avoid them altogether until suddenly you realize that things have gotten out of hand.
Joining an assisted living community comes with more than a watchful staff who will help keep you safe throughout the day. They’ll also offer housekeeping services to help you maintain a clean apartment.
This leaves you with ample time and energy to delve into the more exciting parts of life. Indulge in a new hobby, go for a walk with friends, or even read a book you’ve had on your to-read list for ages.
Deciding When to Move From Independent to Assisted Living
It’s never an easy decision to make, but it can have a lasting positive effect on your life. Once you find the senior community and individual care plan you deserve, you’ll have more time and energy to focus on things you enjoy. You’ll bring relief to both your loved ones and yourself.
Aston Gardens at Parkland Commons is here to offer each resident the personalized care they need to thrive, without taking away their sense of independence. Reach out to us, and we can help you figure out when to move from independent to assisted living and create the right care plan together.
