Is It Time for Assisted Living?
One of the most difficult tasks is deciding when it’s time that an elderly parent should no longer be living home alone.
“Making a decision to transition from independent living to assisted living can be very difficult,” says Christine Nelson, MSN, RN, a geriatric nurse practitioner in Lakewood Hospital’s SeniorCare Assessment Center. “However, in some cases, it may be the best option to keep your aging parent safe and healthy.”
An assisted living facility is a community for seniors who cannot live independently. They provide mobility assistance and daily living care for bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming and eating. Generally, however, assisted living facilities do not have 24-hour access to doctors and nurses on-site.
“Watch for clues to determine if it’s safe for your parent to remain living at home alone,” says Nelson. For example, is there evidence that they are not eating properly or may have fallen down? Are they wearing the same clothes? Are they grooming themselves? Is the house being kept clean? Are they operating appliances safely? Are they taking their medications as they should be?
“Instead of assisted living, you may decide that in-home assisted living or adult day care are appropriate options,” says Nelson.
Talking with your parent regarding these issues can be difficult. However, there are a number of resources available on the Internet, such as www.AgingCare.com, that can provide helpful tips.
Another important resource is the Lakewood Hospital SeniorCare Assessment Center, which is staffed by a caring team of professionals to assist you in all aspects of the older adult’s care. The team of geriatricians, geriatric psychiatrists, a geriatric nurse specialist, a registered nurse and social worker is dedicated to providing a comprehensive assessment so that you can make an informed decision regarding your parent’s situation.
“The SeniorCare Assessment Team can provide support, education and recommendations for future planning for both the older adult and their caregivers,” says Nelson.
“We work together with the patient’s primary care physician to develop a plan so that the patient and the family can successfully manage their care,” says Nelson.
The SeniorCare Assessment team can offer guidance to many common problems, such as a decline in ability to carry out usual activities; memory loss and anxiety; medication problems; falls or difficulty walking; caregiver stress and concerns; weight loss; driving safety; and, of course concerns regarding your parent’s living arrangements.
“Try to talk though these issues with your parent,” says Nelson. “Be considerate of their feelings and the changes that they are dealing with. Be patient and try to discuss options as situations present themselves.”
Get help from your doctor or our SeniorCare Assessment team when talking about medical issues. “Be positive and let your parents know how much you care about them and want to help,” she says.
Moving a parent into assisted living is one of the hardest and most heart-wrenching decisions of your life. “But if it keeps your parent healthy and safe and perhaps even happy, then it is probably for the best for the parent, the caregiver and the family,” says Nelson.
Save the Date:
If you are caring for an aging relative, you may need some information and support. Please make arrangements to join us at this informative health conference in August on Caring for Older Adults.
Date: Saturday, August 21 Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Avon Lake Towne Center Community Campus
500 Community Drive, Avon Lake
- Memory Loss & Dementia: What To Do Next
- Legal and Financial Resources: What You Need To Know
- Advice for Keeping You and Your Loved One Safe
- Community Resources That Can Help
Free breakfast will be served. Reservations: 1-877-234-FITT (3488)
For more information about Lakewood Hospital’s SeniorCare Assessment Center, visit lakewoodhosptial.org/seniors, or call 216.521.2228.