It can be hard to come to the realization that you or a loved one require the extra help and services of assisted living. Making the transition—from your own home or an independent senior living community—can take some adjustment. Acknowledging that you need help and then actually accepting the help is easier for some and harder for others. Knowing when the time is right to make the move to assisted living, plus having the help and guidance of a caring and professional senior living community, like Westminster Place, can make the process easier for everyone.
What Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is usually the next step when a senior is no longer able to live on their own, independently. Assisted living programs that are part of a senior living community offer a maintenance-free lifestyle with the health care services needed, as well as assistance with daily tasks. Plus, if you are already residing in a senior living community in independent living, then residents can easily transition to assisted living within the same community.
Assisted living offers:
- An independent lifestyle without the responsibility that comes with maintaining your own home
- Assistance with daily tasks or medication management
- A community of peers going through similar experiences
- Social interaction with scheduled activities
- Transportation services so that seniors can still get out and about without having to worry about being behind the wheel of their own vehicle
Signs It’s Time For Assisted Living
Caregivers and family members can feel guilty about considering assisted living for loved ones. But at some point, you have to come to the realization that you are not a medical professional and that the care your loved one needs is more than you can offer them. Giving them the best quality of life you can is a gift. Making sure all of their care needs are met, among peers, and in an environment designed for seniors is the best scenario.
Here are some signs that you or a loved one may be ready for assisted living care:
- Experiencing chronic or worsening health problems
- Managing medications becomes difficult
- Completing daily tasks or household chores becomes burdensome
- Unhealthy diet and not eating enough
- Poor hygiene
- Trouble getting around and possibly falling
- Severe mood swings
- Isolating from family and friends and refusing visitors
- Inability to safely drive
- Often getting disoriented or lost
- Not being able to care for pets
If you are wondering how to start the conversation around assisted living with a loved one, it’s best to be prepared. Do your research, list your concerns, and know why you think it’s a good option. Then sit down with your loved one, tell them you love them, and explain what you have prepared. A senior living community is always happy to help by offering you and your loved one a tour of their campus and accommodations, in addition to speaking with your loved one about the assisted living experience.
Westminster Place Offers Assisted Living
There are many choices when it comes to choosing a senior living community in your retirement. At Westminster Place, we offer:
- Independent living
- Assisted living
- Memory care
- Long-term care with skilled nursing
- Respite care
Each of these different senior living options offers unique services and amenities so that you receive a continuum of care, no matter your needs. Our team has the common goal of ensuring that each resident has the highest quality of life possible at Westminster Place.
Give the team at Westminster Place a call at 903.329.6520 or contact us online to help determine if it’s time to consider assisted living for yourself or a loved one.