More than 41.8 million caregivers in the U.S. provide unpaid care for adults over the age of 50, and many of these caregivers are supporting an aging parent or other family members. At some point, family caregivers may need additional support as their loved one’s needs continue to increase and the physical and emotional toll of caregiving becomes too overwhelming for one person to manage. Many family caregivers opt for transitioning their loved one into the care of an assisted living community. According to AARP, assisted living communities are designed for older adults who experience difficulty living independently and need additional support with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing. However, those who live in assisted living communities don’t require round-the-clock healthcare that is typically provided in a nursing home setting. Assisted living communities provide older adults with their apartments and provide a range of services including housekeeping, meal service, laundry, help with personal care, and administering and managing medications. Many older adults who live alone are at an increased risk of loneliness and isolation. Assisted living communities offer opportunities for socialization such as book clubs, trips to concerts and restaurants, and other educational and entertainment programs.
When to Consider Assisting Living for Your Older Adult
Caregiving for a loved one can be a rewarding yet challenging responsibility for many people. For many caregivers, there may be a time when caring for a loved one at home isn’t the best situation for a number of different reasons. Perhaps your loved one’s health is declining or you are struggling with managing all of your own responsibilities. Here are a few of the most common signs that your loved one may need assisted living:
- Inability to care for oneself. If your loved one is unable to maintain their living space, bathe themselves, or complete basic daily tasks, it’s time to consider assisted living. A lot of family members take on the responsibility of caregiving without understanding how demanding that can be, especially when they have their own families to care for each day. Assisted living facilities have caregivers on staff who will make sure their residents maintain proper hygiene, a healthy diet, and live in a clean environment.
- Trouble managing finances. Many aging seniors have difficulty managing their financial responsibilities such as paying bills on time or falling victim to financial scams. If you notice your loved one is ignoring unpaid bills or making unusual purchases, it may be a sign that something else is going on with their health.
- Worsening medical conditions. If your loved one is falling consistently or often and becoming injured as a result, assisted living could provide a safer environment. In addition, many older adults are managing one or more chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s disease, which can also impact one’s ability to live independently.
- Lack of socialization. According to a study conducted by the National Institute on Aging, nearly 17% of all Americans aged 65 or older are isolated due to their location, living status, language, or disability. Loneliness and isolation can have negative long-term effects on one’s health, such as cognitive decline, increased mortality, and feelings of depression. Socialization is at the core of assisted living facilities. Planned activities, social dining areas, and one-on-one interaction are everyday occurrences at most facilities.
- Needs professional care. As a family caregiver, you may feel that you don’t have the knowledge or training to properly care for your loved one. Assisted living communities provide high-quality medical care, opportunities for socialization, and assistance with personal care—all of which can be difficult to manage as a family caregiver.
Your Role as a Family Caregiver
Once your loved one moves to an assisted living community, your role as a family caregiver will inevitably change. This may be a difficult transition for both you and your loved one, but as with all transitions, it will get better with time. According to AgingCare, there are a few things you can do to better understand your new role and still find ways to fulfil the need to support your loved one while they live in an assisted living community.
- Advocate. Family caregivers naturally advocate for their loved ones even if they don’t know they’re doing it. For months or years, you have been the one to manage your loved one’s entire life—refilling their medications, coordinating their appointments, and meeting their emotional and medical needs. This advocacy is still needed when your loved one moves to assisted living. While it’s important to let the assisted living staff do their jobs, you can still support the staff and your loved one by attending doctor’s appointments, providing transportation when you’re available, and offering companionship throughout the week.
- Embrace your role as a child. If you’re caring for a parent, you may feel like the parent/child roles are reversed, especially if your loved one has been coping with dementia or other memory conditions. When your loved one moves into an assisted living community, you may feel the caregiving responsibility lessen significantly. As this happens, you’ll have more time and energy to embrace your role as their adult child. While you help your loved one transition into their new environment, you can spend quality time with them doing things they love to do.
- Set a realistic schedule. Transitioning to life in assisted living will take some time, both for you and your loved one. Giving your loved one some space may help them adjust to their new life more quickly. However, it’s important to reaffirm your loved ones frequently and let them know when to expect you to visit and for how often. Make sure your loved one is socializing and getting involved in the community. You can even attend activities to make sure your loved ones are adjusting well and meeting new people.
Assisted Living at Maplewood Senior Living
At Maplewood Senior Living, our assisted living option empowers residents to live more independently by providing discreet assistance based on each individual’s unique needs and goals. Our assisted living option provides a personalized care plan that supports longevity and provides peace of mind to family members, ensuring their loved ones have the care they need to live long and happy lives. To learn more about our offerings or to schedule a tour, please contact us.
