Is it Time to Discuss Assisted Living?

Are you wondering if your parent or an elderly loved one is still able to care for themselves?  If they live alone, are you worried about their safety?  Do they seem to have lost interest in hobbies and activities they used to enjoy? 

Experts say it is important for family members to notice if a loved one is properly managing their needs and to be alert for signs that may indicate trouble.   Top of the list includes things like recent cuts or bruises, driving mishaps, poor balance, failing eyesight, and weight loss.  Have they become more forgetful and/or prone to wandering?  Do you have reason to believe they may recently have had one or more fall?  Each year falls in people 65 years and older account for 2.8 million injuries that require a visit to an emergency department, and include over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths.  

Another common problem is managing medications including remembering to take them correctly.  One look at your parent’s medicine cabinet should give you a good idea if they are having difficulty with this.  Expired medications and meds still in the pharmacy bag mixed in with current prescriptions are not a good sign.   

While not always possible as emergency situations demand immediate action, experts recommend families begin the discussion regarding senior living options with their loved one early-on.  The conversation or conversations should be done in a non-threatening, relaxed environment, and if you can, try to end it with a plan.  Families must make sure the person understands they have their best interest at heart and to involve them in the process.     

Designate a family member to browse websites for available care options, and to discover the type of services offered at each as well as to get referrals from friends, doctors and others.  Experts say to keep in mind the level of care your parent will require now as well as in the future.  Plan to visit several communities for a firsthand look at the overall atmosphere including the interactions between staff and residents.   

Once you have narrowed down your choices to just a couple, set up tours for your loved one to see which would be the best fit for their new home, and if possible, plan to dine with the residents.  Also once your loved one has settled on a place, check to see if it offers short-term stays to give them the chance to try it out and make sure it feels like home!

MorningStar at Jordan Creek proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling toserve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest assisted living Des Moines offers.