Medical advancements have made human life much longer than it was just a couple of decades ago. Humans have an opportunity to have much healthier lives and to enjoy it much more than in the past. However, with the lifespan increasing, several needs have started to emerge as a result.
The most indicative one is the need for assisted living. For those who don’t what that means, we are talking about seniors hiring professionals that will help them with their everyday activities. It is especially important for those who have limited mobility. But that is certainly not the only element.
Problems start when the family acknowledges that there is a need for assisted living and they need to decide whether they will move a senior to the nursing home. Many choose this step. Places like Senior Living Meridian Idaho, click here to learn more about it, might be just the achievement you’re striving for.
Now, let’s check some of the signs that indicate the time is right for assisted living.
1. Limited Mobility
The biggest problem many seniors encounter is limited mobility. Anyone who knows someone with this problem knows just how problematic this situation can be. Older people usually lack company and they cannot socialize with anyone, especially when they have a problem with moving around.
The worst-case scenario is when someone has so many limitations that leaving the house becomes impossible. We believe that this is the clearest sign that assisted living has become an absolute must. Being alone in older years leads to a wide array of different problems, which can be prevented by socialization.
That’s why you should look for a proper nursing home where your cousin can spend some quality time, surrounded by people of the same age, and have frequent conversations with them. Not to mention that limited mobility problem is efficiently overcome through the help of medical professionals.
2. Dementia
One of the severest problems seniors go through is dementia. That’s without the question. Not being able to remember even the simplest of things and not recognizing your relatives is something that inflicts great emotional pain. Besides that, taking care of yourself becomes practically impossible.
Dementia is a progressive condition, and in a short period, it can become more than just forgetting to turn off the TV. So, don’t make the mistake of believing that the first stage will not progress. Chances are that it will progress, especially if the patient doesn’t receive appropriate medication for the condition.
The senior might forget to take medicine for another condition. You will certainly agree that this is a dangerous situation. So, having someone to think about these things instead of the person in question is the most significant thing out there. Once again, assisted living becomes a necessity.
3. Isolation
We’ve already discussed the importance of socialization in old age. However, we want to look at it from a different perspective. Little is known about the fact that isolation is one of the most important factors for early mortality. Seniors who have hearing problems or live alone are just as affected as those who cannot move properly.
So, this is not something you can overlook. We mean, you can do your best to help that person socialize, but it’s not going to be easy, and it’s not going to be possible at all times. That’s when it’s the right place for assisted living to step into the right. That way, it is possible to prevent any sort of isolation.
Isolation can cause many problems down the road. For instance, chronic diseases can get even more severe and cognitive decline can progress a lot. But the most indicative problems are the loss of interest in personal hygiene and poor nutrition, both of which are problematic.
4. Wandering Off
Older people with declined mental health can come across numerous problems. For instance, they can wander off for no reason. So, looking for them is not only a stressful thing to experience, but the chances of not finding them on time are rather high. It is something that needs to be prevented as soon as possible.
We can all agree that this is a valid fear and that it happens often. Older people with mental problems can think that they know where they are going. Still, they can get lost relatively easily. At the same time, even the simplest walk around the block can turn into a problematic situation.
Assisted living can help prevent this problem, by having someone to watch over them 24/7. Medical professionals are capable of handling this sort of patient with the utmost care. They accompany them even when they go for a walk. For that reason, wandering off becomes practically impossible.
5. Aggressiveness
The last sign we want to talk about is the manifestations of aggressiveness. Older people are usually more nervous than younger generations. There are a plethora of reasons why this is the case. It can be that their health condition makes them feel uncomfortable or it can be a simple fact they’re getting old.
Aggressiveness is closely tied to stress and it is widely known that stress causes numerous problems for humans. That’s why we believe that having someone who can provide the necessary medications when needed is a game-changer in this situation. The aggressiveness will cease to exist completely.
Plus, frequent aggressive behavior can lead to emotional distress for someone who is taking care of a senior. Let’s face it, not many people can cope with that for too long. Even though there may be some problems with accepting assisted living, that senior will surely accept the situation and be more relaxed.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, assisted living is a great option for those who are not able to take care of themselves properly. So, they need someone to help them with their daily activities and obligations. Here, we’ve provided you with some signs that this is the next move you should make. We have absolutely no doubt that our readers will find them useful and informative.