It has been weeks, months – or maybe the entire year – since you’ve seen them last. You know they’re aging, but you’re still unsure where or when to begin looking into senior living options.
Since the holidays have come and gone, you may be left feeling like your loved one is struggling and you’re certainly not alone. In fact, the holidays are the most common time of the year when we begin recognizing a decline in our loved ones – whether it’s physically or mentally. And this is usually from the amount of time we spend with them during the holiday season or from being in their home to witness firsthand how they live. Not everyone is fortunate enough to see their loved ones daily or weekly, so when the time comes to gather, we then have a heightened ability to notice any drastic (or even subtle) changes.
Beginning this process is never an easy decision to make, however you can never start planning too early – there’s no such thing. Being prepared and having a game plan is the best thing you can do. This is not a decision you make overnight and success stories only come by exploring your options, different levels of care and knowing precisely what senior living can offer a loved one.
But how will you know it’s time? Do they really need extra care and support with daily living? These are all common thoughts, questions and concerns of caregivers or sons and daughters of elderly parents or grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. Again, the question remains – when is the right time?
Unfortunately, there’s never a perfect time to begin the process, but there are perfectly clear signs in indicating the need for extra assistance:
- Struggling with tasks of daily living – using the restroom, brushing teeth, getting dressed, bathing, personal hygiene, cooking, etc.
- Poor communication – not able to hold a conversation: repeating things, forgetting important points and/or words, confusion, stuttering or slurring
- Lack of medication management – losing pills, overdosing or forgetting to take medicine altogether
- Cognitive impairment – consistent forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty understanding commands, misplacing important items, or has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a form of dementia in the past
- Fall risk – falling in the bath/shower, falling out of bed, falling while dressing or spontaneous falls while moving around in their household
- Chronic pain – living in pain makes daily living hard and daily tasks difficult to perform
If you’ve noticed any of the following signs and/or symptoms, now might be a good time to begin the process. NC Senior Living Solutions will be your partner in this search. We are here to help you or your loved one transition into a senior living community as seamlessly as we can. We are your guides through this process and will make it as stress-free as possible – that’s our dedication to you.
If you are feeling overwhelmed about the process of sifting through senior living options near you, please contact us today for a free introductory consultation. We’re able to help you and your loved one every step of the way from the transition journey and consultations to coordinating the move. You do not have to navigate this process alone – we are here to help!
