When is it Time for Assisted Living?

It’s not easy to determine when to move to an assisted living community. One MacDonough Place says the following are signs that you, or a loved one, should consider assisted living opportunities:

• Weights loss: This could be due to a person’s ability to shop for food and prepare meals, depression or isolation.
• Change in personal appearance: This may be due to an inability to manage activities of daily living, the ability to take care of laundry or depression.
• Change in the home environment: This may demonstrate a need of assistance with housekeeping, laundry or home maintenance.
• Missing medical appointments: This could indicate that a person can’t manage their appointments or that they require transportation assistance.
• Not taking medication as prescribed
• Change in personality: This could be due to loneliness or a lack of social interaction.
• Caregiver burn out: If you are a caregiver, it is time to look at assisted living options for your loved one if you are feeling burnt out from trying to manage it all. It is hard to go from son or daughter to housekeeper, nurse, grocery shopper, chef and transportation coordinator!
• Unpaid bills
• Car accidents or noticeable damage to a vehicle
• Frequent falls
• Frequent hospital admissions or trips to the Emergency Department

As you notice some of these signs, start having the conversation about assisted living. The sooner you start the conversation, the sooner you can move forward in the process.

If you are talking to a loved one about assisted living, be prepared for how your loved one may respond and be sure to involve them in the discussion and research.

What else should you know?

People are currently moving into assisted living later in life – when they have more medical problems and need more assistance. As such, the residents may miss out on the many opportunities that come with assisted living and limit their living options. Consider making the move earlier so that you can truly benefit!

About One MacDonough Place

One MacDonough Place is an assisted living community owned by Middlesex Hospital. It is located in Middletown. For more information about One MacDonough Place, visit onemacdonoughplace.org or call 860-358-5802.