Is it time to make the move to Assisted Living?
Trying to decide when to help your parent make the transition to assisted living is often difficult and stressful, especially if mom or dad has reservations about the idea. As it turns out, a good amount of people still have negative connotations about senior communities. Outdated stereotypes, such as being confined to a small, clinical-looking room with minimal interaction, are all too common. Fortunately, they are very far from the truth! Modern assisted living communities, especially progressive organizations like UMC, prioritize all areas of wellness for their residents by constantly updating their services and extracurricular activities offered on-site. Full-service UMC communities have the bandwidth to provide high-level care like that of a nursing home, but without the stereotypical “nursing home” feel. With that being said, the main thing to keep in mind is that not moving mom or dad into assisted living when it’s needed can put their health and quality of life at risk!
If you’re not sure if it’s time for mom or dad to make a change, here are some strong indicators that show it’s time to have a conversation about moving into assisted living.
#1 – Increasing health complications
Around 80% of older adults suffer from at least one chronic health condition, and many have multiple health concerns to maintain. These can become very difficult to manage independently or even with the help of a family member. Increased care needs are better managed by professionals who are not only able to supply the help they need now, but are trained to watch for other health concerns, monitor medication, and act quickly in an emergency situation. In assisted living, all residents have 24/7 access to a care team who is experienced in treating chronic illnesses, nursing care, medication management, and much more.
#2 – Neglected hygiene
One of the first signs that an older adult is struggling is neglect in their hygiene and personal care. In the ill and elderly, bathing, grooming, and taking care of everyday hygiene can be difficult and exhausting, or they may even be unaware that they are forgetting to take care of themselves. Signs of neglect include bad body odor, unkempt and dirty hair, dirty nails that are too long, and clothing that appears too small, damaged or unwashed. Poor hygiene can lead to health complications and a poor quality of life, but it can be addressed and reversed with the help of knowledgeable, trained associates in an assisted living community.
#3 – Safety issues
Home can easily become an unsafe space as we get older and experience changes in mobility. Falls in the home are the leading cause of emergency room visits, severe injuries, and even injury-related deaths in senior adults. Furthermore, senior forgetfulness can cause wandering, fires, and dangerous use of medication when unsupervised for long periods of time. In an assisted living community, apartments are designed to optimize safety. In addition, associates who are on-site all day, every day are trained to help residents move safely around campus to prevent falls. Should a resident find themselves in a sticky situation, they can activate their 24-hour alert pendant and receive advanced medical care almost immediately if needed.
#4 – Isolation
As we’ve seen during the pandemic, isolation has a very powerful impact on our mental and physical wellbeing. For elderly people who are less mobile, restricted by health conditions, or unable to travel independently, isolation can be devastating to manage. It’s a primary cause of depression and anxiety in seniors and can lead to severe mental and physical decline. Assisted living communities are much more than medical and housing facilities and are actually a great source of support for seniors. With an event-filled social calendar, clubs of all varieties, and plenty of neighbors to socialize with, a good assisted living community helps seniors to reconnect with the outside world and alleviate loneliness.
Find the best assisted living community in Sussex County
Bristol Glen is part of the United Methodist Community network, a collection of assisted living communities in New Jersey dedicated to supporting abundant and independent living for all seniors. Our apartment-style living, dedicated care teams, wide range of personal care services, vibrant social calendar, and beautiful grounds are just some of the reasons why we earned a place on the U.S. News Best Nursing Homes and Short-Stay Rehabilitation Lists!
If you want to find out more about our approach to assisted living in New Jersey, then please get in touch today or visit our website at:
