Key Signs Mom Would Do Better in Assisted Living

Assisted Living Fairhope AL

Assisted Living Fairhope ALYou’ve been noticing your mother having difficulty at home. Maybe she’s denying any such trouble, but you see her gripping the handrail on the stairs tighter, bracing herself on the wall in the hallway as she makes her way to the bathroom, and using the chairs in the kitchen to get around safely.

At first, you may have picked up on a few of these subtle signs and didn’t think much about it. You know physical capabilities change as people age, but it can certainly be difficult to recognize the challenges and even mortality of one’s own mother or father, or both.

If you’re wondering whether your mother would do better in an assisted living community or at home (because she has mentioned the desire to stay home for the rest of her life), here are some key signs that could indicate it’s time to at least bring up the conversation about assisted living.

Key Sign #1: She has fallen already.

Slip and fall accidents can be devastating for seniors. In fact, for seniors 65 and over, a broken hip that’s the result of a fall leads to death within a year for nearly ¼ of this population. Statistics increase every decade in age.

Key Sign #2: She talks about friends she can’t see anymore.

As people get older, they will witness their loved ones pass away or move somewhere else. If your mother begins talking and longing to visit with some of her friends who have moved away, this could be one sign she is feeling lonely.

When somebody is lonely, it increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress. By moving into assisted living, your mother will be surrounded by other seniors with whom she may share common interests.

Key Sign #3: She has talked about the struggle to keep up with her home environment.

Cleaning, doing laundry, and taking care of the house can be overwhelming for a 70 or 80-year-old person living alone. If your mother has begun talking about the struggles to maintain her home environment, this can be an opening to begin discussing the prospect of assisted living.

Keep in mind that every senior has the right to determine the course of their own care. If your mother is adamantly against it, you can’t force her to move, but the more you learn about assisted living, the more you can help her realize the benefits it can offer in her life now.

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