3 Ways to Tell If It’s Time to Move a Loved One to Assisted Living

It’s been tough. You’ve been looking after your aging parent for several weeks, possibly even months. Maybe they live too far away for you to really be effective. It might take you hour or even a couple of hours to drive to their house each way. You understand the risks he or she is facing daily, and perhaps a few friends, maybe even some colleagues at work, have suggested assisted living as an option.

When you struggle with this question, you may be looking for signs that make it abundantly clear assisted living would be the better option for this person in your life right now. Below are three ways you might be able to tell if it’s truly time to suggest making a move like this.

First, remember, it is still their choice. Even though everything you say and even all of your observations might be completely accurate, they are still independent individuals will have the final say. You need to find a way to convince them that this is a great decision and one that will reap plenty of benefits.

Way #1: If they struggle with basic care at home.

Assisted Living Citronelle AL Moving to Assisted Living

Assisted Living Citronelle AL Moving to Assisted Living

If this elderly person is struggling to get out of bed, take a shower, or even make a healthy meal, if they’re constantly asking for help with a wide range of tasks of everyday life, that can be a frightening. Assisted living can still provide them the opportunity to live as independently as they can or want, but also rely on some support when needed.

Way #2: If they’re constantly reporting how lonely they feel.

When a person lives alone and has difficulty getting around, if they no longer drive, how often are they spending time with friends? Are they taking part in any type of activity? If not, loneliness can be a very serious problem.

Depression can become part of their life and if this individual in your life spends most of his or her day alone, assisted living could be the answer they have been looking for.

Way #3: If they are calling you for help almost daily.

If they’re calling for advice, they are scared, need help, have to go to the store, have a doctor’s appointment coming up, or anything else, and those calls are repeating over and over, day after day, they need attention.

A quality assisted living facility should have responsive and well-trained staff members, great activities, and wonderful support. These are just three simple ways to determine if assisted living is a topic to talk about now.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living in Citronelle, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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