We all would surely fancy the idea of living in our very own homes and taking care of ourselves. It is a widely held belief that we should hold on to our autonomy and independence until the day we leave this Earth.
The reality, however, is very different from this ideal that we hold in such high esteem. The simple fact is that most individuals will likely not get to live in this way.
It is estimated that around 70% of all mature adults who are at least 65 years old will require long-term care for at least a few years. This help will probably come in the form of an assisted living program or a nursing home.
When the time comes for a mature adult to make this transition, it isn’t always an easy thing to accept. However, in the case of numerous mature adults, there will come a time when it is simply not safe for them to fend for themselves anymore. If this is the case with you or your loved one, you must ensure that the best and safest decision is made as soon as possible. This would most likely mean that you or your loved one would have to make the transition into an assisted living environment.
And so, how exactly would you be able to tell when you should move into an assisted living community? Here are some of the telling signs.
Having Difficulties Carrying Out Basic Daily Tasks
All of us have to do lots of menial tasks every day that we may think are normal and feasible for everyone. These tasks include preparing meals, putting rooms in order, folding our laundry, taking care of our bills, and more tasks of this nature.
If you start to have difficulties carrying out these tasks on your own, it is a sign that you would need someone to step in and help.
The Neglection of Diurnal Chores
A common thing that mature adults do when they are confronted with chores that begin to get increasingly challenging to attend to is simply not doing them. If you find that your dishes are piling up in the kitchen, if your dirty laundry pile seems to keep growing in size, or if your home is getting increasingly dusty, then some help would obviously be required.
A Substantial Decrease in Weight
Maintaining a healthy diet is among the most important things that we all need to do. If you are not able to maintain a weight that is healthy and stable, you could be having a difficult time preparing your meals or even an underlying health condition that is causing a reduction in appetite.
Injuries that Happen Often
Two and a half million mature adults receive treatment annually for fall-related injuries and often, the injuries are serious. Injuries of the minor variety also become increasingly difficult to deal with as one gets on in age. Having someone to care for you to protect you from these injuries would be very important.
If you notice these signs in yourself or your loved ones, feel free to contact us for more information and find out how we can help.
