Signs It’s Time to Move Your Loved One into a Care Facility
Guest article by Ashley Uhler
Many caregivers for people with dementia want to care for their loved one at home. However, the needs of a loved one will sometimes surpass a caregiver’s ability. Contrary to the stereotyped image of isolation and loss of independence, senior living can empower residents to maintain a level of independence. Here are some signs that it may be time to look for a senior care facility, and how to find the right facility for your loved one.
Your Loved One Has Trouble with Most Daily Living Activities
It’s a major challenge to assist with daily activities like bathing, dressing, cooking, and cleaning. You can’t always be there for your loved one, especially if you are working and/or care for children. Assisted living can provide a higher level of support while still allowing your loved one to maintain as much independence as possible.
You Feel Overwhelmed
If you don’t feel equipped to handle your loved one’s diagnosis, it’s okay to seek help.
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia present many caregiving challenges. In severe cases of dementia, there is danger that your loved one will wander away from home if left alone. Even milder cases can interfere with important tasks such as paying bills, grocery shopping, and driving.
It’s important that your loved one be given adequate support in their condition. Having twenty-four-hour access to nurses and other medical staff is ideal. Many senior living communities specialize in memory care and have secure facilities that prevent your loved one from wandering off the grounds.
You’re Neglecting Your Own Needs
Burnout is all too common among caregivers. It’s important for you to recognize when you are sacrificing your own needs to care for a loved one. If your health and well-being are suffering, then it might be time to seek outside help.
Your Loved One Feels Isolated at Home
Isolation is a common problem for dementia patients. As the disease progresses and they lose the ability to drive, they may feel confined to their home. An attractive feature of many care facilities is the social aspect. Your loved one will be in close proximity to other seniors and will have many opportunities to socialize and build friendships. Communities also offer group activities and classes to help seniors continue a hobby or pick up a new one.
How to Choose the Right Senior Living Facility
Nursing homes are often the first thing to come to mind, but there are many other options for elders with milder cases of dementia. Assisted living facilities, personal care homes, and continuing care retirement communities are licensed differently, but often offer many of the same services, including memory care.
Some questions to keep in mind when you’re touring facilities –
- Are the staff polite and helpful? Are they willing to talk with you and answer your questions?
- Do the residents seem happy and well-cared for? If you have a chance to talk with them, ask them for their honest assessment of the facility.
- Is the facility properly licensed with the state?
- Is there a system in place for reporting suspected cases of abuse? Does the company take precautions like background checks for all employees?
- Are the buildings clean and well-maintained? Ask if you can see a resident’s room.
- Is the food nutritious and tasty? Ask if you can try a meal.
- Are there licensed nurses and other medical staff on the premises at all times?
- Is there a way for the staff to be easily contacted in an emergency (i.e., emergency nurse call pendants)?
- Is the facility secure? Is there a system in place to prevent people with dementia from wandering off the grounds?
- Are residents with severe dementia regularly given supervised time outdoors? It’s important for your loved one to not feel confined indoors.
- Is transportation provided to doctor’s appointments, or are there doctors onsite?
- Are there onsite therapy and rehabilitation services?
- Are there any reviews of the company online? Pay attention to negative reviews as well as positive.
The decision to move your loved one into a personal care facility is not an easy one. But when you find the right fit, your loved one will have more opportunities to thrive in a safe, supportive environment.
Ashley Uhler manages communications for Providence Place Senior Living, a licensed personal care and retirement community with headquarters in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. Providence Place was created and founded by former Pennsylvania Governor George M. Leader in 1998 and continues to be owned and managed by the Leader family today.
