Home is Where the Heart is: 5 Signs It is Time to Move into an Assisted Living Home

It's difficult for a person to leave a residence that they've lived in for years, but sometimes it is necessary. If you or a loved one can relate to any of the five signs below, it may be time to consider moving into an assisted living facility.

1. Improper use of Medications
As people age, they often find themselves in need of taking multiple medications and supplements. A person taking the wrong dose of a medication, using over the counter medication too frequently, or commonly missing doses puts themselves at risk for serious health consequences. The qualified medical staff at assisted living homes can eliminate this risk.

2. New or Multiple Health Diagnoses
People with more than one health problem often require assistance with managing their care, no matter what their age. This is especially true for conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, COPD, and diabetes. A new diagnosis can complicate matters even more. Assisted living facilities can provide daily reminders, education, and wellness checks until the person begins to fully understand their new care needs.

3. Weight Loss
When people have less energy, they often skip meals. The idea of cooking may be too overwhelming for them, or they may simply be forgetting to eat. The meals and mealtime reminders provided at assisted living communities such as Cedar Village can help residents gain or maintain their weight, giving them the energy they need to live their best life possible.

4. Forgetfulness
Memory problems are common as we age. A person may forget to go to doctor's appointments, to eat regular meals, or to turn off appliances. They may forget to take their medications or take extra medications, forgetting that they had already taken it earlier that day. This puts their safety at great risk. Peace of mind, a safe environment, and frequent checkups are another benefit assisted living can provide to the forgetful person.

5. Falls
Falls are the leading cause of death in older persons. If you or someone you care about has experienced multiple falls, now is the time to move them to assisted living. Assisted living homes provide extensive fall intervention programs. This ranges from providing well-lit living spaces with clear walkways to specialized equipment such as bathroom grab bars and sit down, non-slip showers. Personal emergency response systems are in place at most assisted living facilities, allowing immediate help if a fall does occur.

Assisted living homes give a little extra help to those who need it while providing a home-like environment. If you or someone you know has been exhibiting any of the signs on the list, it is time to move into an assisted living home.