As human beings, we don't often like to admit when we need help. We often feel as if we have unsuccessful in some way when we reach out to others. This alone plays a big factor in why we often wait too much time to move our loved ones into an assisted living environment. How do we know when the time is right? Here are some tips.
Does your loved one live alone? How often does the person need assistance? Can the person get around the house safely on his or her own? Can he or she perform basic daily tasks such as cooking, taking medications correctly,bathing, dressing? Does the person do these things frequently, or does he or she have to be reminded often? Are there reliable people close by in case of an emergency? What health issues does he or she have? Is safety an issue?
These are just a number of questions that should be resolved when trying to determine if it's time to move your loved one into an assisted living environment. They are not easy to answer, nor is the final decision to move your loved one always an easy one to encounter.
If your loved one lives alone and needs a lot of assistance and/or pointers to perform basic tasks, it may be time to move them into an assisted living environment. If your loved one has trouble walking around the house, it may be time. If there isn't anyone nearby that could be there quickly in case of an emergency, it may be time to make the move, If your loved one poses any security threats to him or her self, it may be time to move.
When making the decision, you shouldn't feel guilt ridden. The bottom line is that you loved one deserves the best possible care that they can get, and sometimes, we just can't do it by ourselves. Yes, it may upset your loved one to move away from their home into a different place that is unfamiliar, but they will adjust, ultimately. You have to put their best interests first, not always their desires.
Take for example a person who is struggling with Alzheimer's. This person may be able to perform basic everyday tasks effortlessly, however may often forget to take medication, or may be a wanderer. This could pose serious safety hazards. What if this person forgot to take medication for a week? What if the medication was for diabetes? What kind of health risks are there? What if this person wandered outside on a Summer's night and got lost? In this case, it would be best for the person to have help around the clock. They would be given their medication on a set schedule, and could wander around safely.
What about an elderly person who has no loved ones, only a few pals, lives alone, has medical problems, can perform daily tasks, but is becoming more forgetful and is having more problems moving around the house? Should this person be moved to an assisted living environment? I say, yes. This person is at great risk for injury because of loss of mobility, may forget to turn the oven off, or something equally as harmful, due to growing forgetfulness, and probably doesn't have anyone nearby in case of an emergency. Even if there is someone nearby, what if they aren't available?
If the elderly person has a history of falling when left alone for an extended period of time, they probably need to be in assisted living just to have a helping hand around more often. They are at risk for injury from falls, and what if they fell and couldn't call for help?
Often times, we try our best to keep our loved ones at home. We run ourselves into the ground taking care of them. We don't want to go against their wishes of living at home.We don't want to feel as if we failed them in any way. Regrettably, we aren't always able to be there when we are wanted, no matter how hard we try. If you are caring for an elderly loved one and are feeling way too confused, it is time to look into assisted living for them. This can ease the burden on you and also ease your mid a lot. You will know that your loved one is being given the care that is required by educated experts in a safe place. The knowledge that your loved one is being cared for and that you are doing what is right for your loved one will give you reassurance. You should never feel like you failed because you made the decision to move your loved one to a more secure place. You did this with their safety and health in mind.
Assisted Living San Rafael offers caring and support services to elders and their families.
Does your loved one live alone? How often does the person need assistance? Can the person get around the house safely on his or her own? Can he or she perform basic daily tasks such as cooking, taking medications correctly,bathing, dressing? Does the person do these things frequently, or does he or she have to be reminded often? Are there reliable people close by in case of an emergency? What health issues does he or she have? Is safety an issue?
These are just a number of questions that should be resolved when trying to determine if it's time to move your loved one into an assisted living environment. They are not easy to answer, nor is the final decision to move your loved one always an easy one to encounter.
If your loved one lives alone and needs a lot of assistance and/or pointers to perform basic tasks, it may be time to move them into an assisted living environment. If your loved one has trouble walking around the house, it may be time. If there isn't anyone nearby that could be there quickly in case of an emergency, it may be time to make the move, If your loved one poses any security threats to him or her self, it may be time to move.
When making the decision, you shouldn't feel guilt ridden. The bottom line is that you loved one deserves the best possible care that they can get, and sometimes, we just can't do it by ourselves. Yes, it may upset your loved one to move away from their home into a different place that is unfamiliar, but they will adjust, ultimately. You have to put their best interests first, not always their desires.
Take for example a person who is struggling with Alzheimer's. This person may be able to perform basic everyday tasks effortlessly, however may often forget to take medication, or may be a wanderer. This could pose serious safety hazards. What if this person forgot to take medication for a week? What if the medication was for diabetes? What kind of health risks are there? What if this person wandered outside on a Summer's night and got lost? In this case, it would be best for the person to have help around the clock. They would be given their medication on a set schedule, and could wander around safely.
What about an elderly person who has no loved ones, only a few pals, lives alone, has medical problems, can perform daily tasks, but is becoming more forgetful and is having more problems moving around the house? Should this person be moved to an assisted living environment? I say, yes. This person is at great risk for injury because of loss of mobility, may forget to turn the oven off, or something equally as harmful, due to growing forgetfulness, and probably doesn't have anyone nearby in case of an emergency. Even if there is someone nearby, what if they aren't available?
If the elderly person has a history of falling when left alone for an extended period of time, they probably need to be in assisted living just to have a helping hand around more often. They are at risk for injury from falls, and what if they fell and couldn't call for help?
Often times, we try our best to keep our loved ones at home. We run ourselves into the ground taking care of them. We don't want to go against their wishes of living at home.We don't want to feel as if we failed them in any way. Regrettably, we aren't always able to be there when we are wanted, no matter how hard we try. If you are caring for an elderly loved one and are feeling way too confused, it is time to look into assisted living for them. This can ease the burden on you and also ease your mid a lot. You will know that your loved one is being given the care that is required by educated experts in a safe place. The knowledge that your loved one is being cared for and that you are doing what is right for your loved one will give you reassurance. You should never feel like you failed because you made the decision to move your loved one to a more secure place. You did this with their safety and health in mind.
Assisted Living San Rafael offers caring and support services to elders and their families.
