Leslie Newlife

Reasons Your Elderly Parent Might Wander

With age comes a whole host of problems. If you have older parents, you’ve likely seen or heard about some of these issues, including the tendency to wander. There are many reasons your elderly parent might wander off on their own, but to understand them, we also need to know who does it and what we can do to help them. This article will cover all these factors, so continue reading to learn more.

Who’s Likely To Wander?

Though many older folks tend to walk around aimlessly, that doesn’t mean they all do. The most common seniors to suffer frequent lapses are those with Alzheimer’s and other people with memory-related problems. While it’s less common, those with ADD might meander off, too. Of course, even if they have none of these issues, any senior might wander away once in a while.

Why Do They Wander?

Wandering is rarely a purposeful act. Most of the time, the person left because they were looking for something, such as food or a bathroom. However, the actual problem occurs when they forget where they were going or become distracted by something else. The tendency to wander might also be a side effect of their medication. Even if their pills aren’t for memory-related issues, they could lead to disorientation if they aren’t working correctly.

The final major reason an elderly parent might wander is to escape their current situation. Sometimes, it’s as simple as the desire to get out of an area that’s too loud. Other times, it’s less innocuous in intent, such as when an older person tries to leave their senior care facility without permission or get out of their house without anyone knowing. While this is the least likely reason for wandering, it’s the most common one for those without known medical issues.

What Can You Do To Help?

Fortunately, there are many ways to deal with the reasons your elderly parent might wander off. If the cause is medical-related, begin by talking to the person’s doctor. Many forms of memory care are available to help improve their current situation.

If you want to help your loved one yourself, you might consider attaining guardianship of your parent. That way, you will be able to keep a close eye on them in case their wandering gets worse. However, you can’t always be there for them. If you have a busy lifestyle or they still want to keep their independence, guardianship may not be the best option.

That’s when you need to look into other options for taking care of a parent that lives alone. One useful but unobtrusive option for this scenario is to buy them a smart device that can track their location. That way, if they wander too far away from where they’re supposed to be, you’ll be the first one to know about it, even if you live on the other side of the country.

4 Ways an Adjustable Bed Can Improve Quality of Life for Seniors

We spend a considerable time of our lives sleeping. Proper rest is essential for a happy and healthy life and as we age, this is particularly important since a good night’s sleep assists the body’s natural healing and restoring processes.

In recent years, adjustable beds have gained significant popularity among people of all ages but especially those over the age of 65. This allows them to create a close connection between bed and sleep. Although most people assume that adjustable beds are only intended for medical facilities, these models can greatly contribute to a person feeling their best and increasing their quality of life.

In this article, we’ll look at ways adjustable beds can improve living for elderly people, who might be struggling to get a decent night’s rest.

Experience Instant Relief

Nowadays, we’re used to sitting and keeping our back in one position for a long period, forgetting to stand up and stretch quickly or walk for at least a couple of minutes. The older we get, the more we can feel this type of discomfort. Whether it’s an occasional twinge or persistent pain, seniors might feel that they’re kept from carrying out their daily tasks and activities.

Osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, or degeneration of joints in the lumbar spine are all common pains seniors experience. A full size adjustable bed for elderly people can have pain-reducing benefits and mitigate debilitating pains by relieving a significant amount of pressure off their lower backs. It can assist them to elevate their head and feet into a good position that addresses their chronic pain.

There are many elderly people with back pain today which can cause many different problems ranging from limited mobility to accidents. For seniors, it’s crucial to do everything to improve this condition, keep their back healthy, and prevent it from deteriorating.

Helps in Managing Acid Reflux

Compared to younger people, seniors are more likely to suffer from acid reflux and in these cases it is highly recommended that they don’t lie flat on their beds as the food they eat is unable to easily move through the esophagus, causing stomach acid to travel up towards the throat.

If you have this diagnosis, a doctor would probably advise you to buy an adjustable bed to help you raise your head at least five inches and stop acidic stomach contents from going up to the esophagus. You might think that using a pillow would be helpful but it isn’t a fool-proof strategy. It could instead cause you more harm than good.

Controls Snoring

As people get older, they tend to have problems with snoring, but the adjustable bed can remedy this issue. The main reason for snoring is that the trachea is slightly closed due to the weight in the neck and this creates the distinctive snoring sound. An adjustable bed allows you to change the direction of the weight of the neck, which reduces the sound of snoring and improves the quality of sleep.

The same applies to sleep apnea, which is a condition where you wake up during the night because your breathing stops repeatedly during sleep. It can cause serious health problems, such as high blood pressure and heart trouble. Adjustable beds can improve these conditions significantly as a person can raise themselves into an upright position, which will prevent the weight from the neck from inflicting pressure on the trachea. This will stop the snoring and help get a peaceful sleep.

Better Digestion and Reduced Swelling

Sleeping a little more upright is good for seniors’ digestion because then the body can process the food during the night. It’s not appropriate to sleep on a full stomach, but if they have eaten a couple of hours before going to bed, which most people do, the sleeping position can help promote digestion by elevating the head by around 6 inches.

The chances for circulation issues and swelling in the legs is greater with seniors and choosing a good adjustable bed can help. By slightly elevating the legs during sleep at the touch of a button, it can instantly improve blood flow and reduce swelling, making your sleep peaceful and pleasant. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re a senior, make sure to invest in your health by purchasing an adjustable bed that will allow you to change your sleeping position exactly as you want to. It will work wonders if you’re dealing with chronic pain or issues with snoring and poor digestion.

As we age, we appreciate an uninterrupted, sound sleep at night and a healthy lifestyle free of pain. An adjustable bed is a perfect solution, providing the essential comfort an elderly person is searching for.

5 Ways to Show Gratitude to Grandparents

For many of us, visiting our grandparents for the holidays or going over to their place for the weekend are some of the happiest memories of our childhoods. We all love them to death, but sometimes it’s not easy to express that love. There’s a divide of generations between us after all, but maybe with a little research and thoughtfulness we can bridge it and tell our grandparents how much we appreciate them.

The best idea is to travel back in time a bit and communicate with them in their own language. What are their interests? What were the most common presents people gave each other when your grandparents were young? And what are the things from their childhood that they miss the most? Maybe they would enjoy a few photographic memories, or a bouquet of the best London roses from this flower store.

Somewhere in the answer to these questions lies the perfect gift for your grandparents, and we have some ideas that can help too. 

Get Them Flowers 

In our grandparent’s time, flowers as a gift were very popular. It’s an even better present if your grandparents appreciate the language of flowers, but a bouquet of thank you flowers will usually be more than enough to make your grandparents happy and make them feel loved. 

Flowers like pink and yellow roses, hydrangeas, and irises all symbolize one form of gratitude or another. Peach colored flowers, for example, stand for appreciation. 

You can include a little note or a handmade card with the flowers to make it extra special and thoughtful. 

Write Them Letters 

We all know that grandparents aren’t that great with texting, and they may not always be up for phone calls either. But what you can do is send them letters the old fashioned way. Your grandparents will love the gesture and really enjoy writing back. 

And don’t just write on plain old paper either – go the extra mile and get some fancy stationery, write with an old school ink pen, make your letters pretty and show them how much thought and care you put into them. 

This is a great way to show your love and appreciation for them while your grandparents may be stuck in a lockdown, or if you live far away from them. 

Spoil Them With Treats! 

Who says it’s only the grandmas who can spoil their grandkids with food? It can always be the other way around if you’re old enough. 

You can either take them out to dinner somewhere if it’s safe, or cook them an old favorite of theirs. A great way to thank them for all the love they gave you is to teach yourself one of your old family recipes and cook it for them – you can even have it delivered to them if you can’t visit them yourself. 

If your grandparents can eat chocolates and other comfort food, it might be a great idea to send them a box of those treats with a cute note. 

A Subscription Box 

Subscription boxes are a great and thoughtful way to show your friends and family that you care about them, and there are countless subscription boxes for senior citizens that we’re sure your grandparents would love to try. 

Ask your parents about what your grandparents love, think about their needs and interests, and then pick one that you feel they’ll be happiest with. 

It can be a puzzle book subscription for your grandpa who loves crosswords, or a decade candy gift box subscription that sends out gift boxes with candy from a certain decade every month. Your grandparents will be getting a taste of their favorite treats from their childhood and adult lives! 

Host an Event for Them 

One of the biggest problems grandparents have with the rest of the family is how everyone just doesn’t have time for one another anymore. Well, you can fix this by hosting an event for your family to all get together and celebrate your grandparents, and how much they’ve done for everyone. 

Take the time to get together and talk about the old days, about how much you loved visiting your grandparents as a child, and to make them feel loved and appreciated. 

Grandparents are some of the most loving influences on a lot of people, and you never know what tomorrow holds, which is why you should never take too long to tell your family and your grandparents how much you love them.

Best Outdoor Activities for Seniors Who Crave Adventure

Reaching your golden years comes with its growing pains. Staying fit is one of the main challenges of entering old age. However, you can easily find fun ways to stay active.

You can exercise indoors, but if you want a breath of fresh air, then the outdoors is your domain. These are the best outdoor activities for seniors who crave adventure.

Apple and Berry Picking

Walking is an excellent activity for staying fit when you’re older. It also helps you improve your balance as you age. However, it can be boring if the environment isn’t engaging.

Taking a trip to the local orchard is an exciting prospect for anyone. In addition to collecting tasty fruit, picking berries and apples at a brisk pace requires some physical activity and stretching.

If the amount of time you spend on foot becomes taxing, going on a nice hayride can help you catch your breath. When autumn comes, pumpkin patches are must-see destinations. Make sure to call ahead and ask about the terrain, as some orchards may be too hilly.

Fishing

One activity that involves some strength is fishing. Although you spend most of the time sitting around waiting for a bite, you must be ready for the fish to pull hard when it finally arrives.

Fishing is a quiet activity that requires some skill and allows seniors to ponder life’s great mysteries while exploring nature.

Boating

If fishing is too strenuous, boating is a peaceful activity for anyone who loves being out on the open water. A calming boat ride on a lake or pond can give seniors a brief respite from their usual scenery so they can enjoy the natural beauty.

Some boats are also handicap-friendly, which makes them more inclusive to seniors. Large flatboats are particularly suitable for seniors. Call ahead and ask about availability as well as handicap accessibility. This can make the difference if a senior is on the fence about going.

Bird-Watching

Bird-watching is an activity you can do at any public park, and the best part is that you can avoid uneven ground. This is another wheelchair-accessible activity, and you can even bird-watch right from your car window.

The only materials needed are a set of binoculars and a field guide. Plus, you can find many smartphone apps that show you where the best spots are.

Every senior is different, and the best activities will suit each person’s individual preferences. Nevertheless, these are some great examples of the best activities for seniors who crave adventure and want to explore their surroundings.

14 Hacks and Simple Changes to Make Your Home Elder-Friendly

Physical and mental abilities change with age. One of the essential things to do as a caregiver is to make your home elderly-friendly so that they can live comfortably in their surroundings. Many people are unaware of the little things they can do to make their homes more accessible for older adults. There are many hacks and simple changes you can make to your home to make it elder-friendly. Older adults often have trouble with stairs, so install a hand railing on the staircase to prevent falls. You can also purchase carpeting or area rugs that are slip-resistant for those who struggle with slippery floors. The best thing about these hacks is they don’t require any major remodeling or expensive renovations!

We want to share some of my favorite hacks and changes you can make in your home today:

Replace the Ordinary Doorknobs

One of the most common problems elders have is reaching the knob to open the door. To solve this problem, replace your ordinary door knobs with lever-style knobs that are easier for them to grip and turn! If you have lever door handles instead of knobs, this could also help. Avoid fancy knobs or handles and instead, look for the ones that are easier to grip. Also, make sure you install lever-style door locks as well.

Replace the Ordinary Lockset 

Another common problem is that some elders have difficulty turning a knob to unlock their front door. In contrast, others can’t manage the more complicated push-button handles or keyless entry systems if they have arthritis. To solve this problem, replace your lockset with one that can be opened by turning a lever instead of just pushing a knob or button.

Make it Easier for them to get in and Out of the Bathroom.

If they’re having trouble getting up from their seat, install grab bars, so they have something to hang onto while standing. Install rails on both sides for even more support. They are more likely to slip and fall if they try to get up without something for support. Home modifications for aging in place will make the bathroom safer for everyone. Making the bathroom safe is a must for aging in place.

Install Grab Bars in Your Kitchen

If your kitchen is not handicap accessible, install a chair with arms and back support to provide stability when getting up or sitting down. This will also work well if you have an older person living on their own who needs temporary help with standing from time to time. The chair can be positioned next to the kitchen counter, so it’s easy for them to get in and out of. If possible, make the floors with a rubberized finish or cover them with rugs.

If you have hard floors, add throw pillows to make getting in and out of chairs easier. Thick non-slip mats are also helpful for preventing falls on slick surfaces like tile and laminate flooring.

Install Braille Numbers on Your Light Switches

One way that you can make your home more accessible is by installing braille numbers on light switches. This will allow blind or vision-impaired visitors access to common areas like the bathroom, kitchen, and living room. It also helps with knowing what room you’re in when someone calls out to you for help.

Maintain Your Bathroom’s Safety 

Install a seat or put a portable chair in the shower to help elders get on and off more safely, or buy an easy-to-clean bath mat for added slip protection so they don’t fall while getting out of the tub. Consider adding grab bars inside as well for balance. Place non-skid mats in the shower as well. Cover the floor with cozy wool or hand-knotted rugs where possible to prevent slips and falls.

Install a seat or grab bars on both sides of toilets to give elders stability while sitting and standing. Replace light switches with levers for easy use by arthritic hands – either by using one lever that turns off/on lights, fans, heaters, etc., or installing individual handles to turn on/off the individual items.

Safety Bar at Staircase

Install a safety bar at the edge of your staircase to help elders stay safe when they’re walking down or upstairs – especially if you have carpeting that makes it easy for them to slip. Install grab bars in tubs and showers, as well as bathroom sinks so seniors can maintain their balance.

Check the Height of Your Light Switches 

Another common problem elders have reaching light switches placed too high on walls and ceilings in their homes. To solve this issue, place them lower to make it easier for them to reach! No need for any major renovations!

Install a Lever Style Door Handle 

If you’re worried about elders having trouble opening doors that have knobs, installing an easy-to-open lever-style handle will be perfect for them. The elderly population is also often unsteady on their feet, so make sure to install door stops at the base of any exit or entryway.

Install Anti-Slip Mats in Your Bathroom 

It’s hard to take a shower or bath when the floor is slippery and wet! To avoid this, get anti-slip mats for your bathroom that are easy on your feet, without any bumps or ridges, so they can’t slip on them.

Install a Handrail 

For those times when you need help getting up and downstairs, install an easy-to-grab handrail on either side of your staircase. This way it will be easier for elders to get around their house without any problems!

Bring Home Portable Tables

For those times when the kitchen table is just too high, get some portable tables that you can bring from room to room! This will allow elders and caregivers alike to eat in a much more comfortable position. Portable chairs are also a great idea for this.

Unclutter the Home

Elders need to be able to find their way around without any obstacles in their path, so make sure you’re not cluttering up your home with too many items and furniture that could potentially get in someone’s way.

Add Safety Lights Throughout the House 

If there are any dark areas in your home, adding safety lights can be a big help. This is especially true if you have stairs without any railing or light fixture. You’ll want to make sure there are no tripping hazards for those who might not see them otherwise!

In the End

We hope that we’ve given you some ideas on making your home more comfortable and safe for elders. Remember, the best way to help an older adult stay in their own home is by making it a place they feel happy and secure- not just providing them with a meal or errand running service. At RugKnots, our goal is to provide customers with high-quality rugs at affordable prices, so everyone has the chance to experience comfort and warmth throughout their lives. Thank you again for reading this blog post about simple ways of creating great living spaces for seniors who want independence but need extra care because of age-related needs like diminished sight or hearing.

Things to Consider When Personalizing Your New Home

Pursuing retirement is a dream for the average nine-to-five worker. When you’ve saved enough to officially leap into retirement, you can kick up your feet and sigh in relief. However, the idea of decorating a brand-new home can often leave you overwhelmed. Don’t fret; here are the things to consider when personalizing your new home!

Find the Right Home

Your home centers around your lifestyle, and the most active areas are in your living room, bedroom, backyard, or a combination of each space. Find a home, especially if you need home care, that is suitable for your active life and your downtime.

If you decide on a retirement home, search for socialization in your community. Your local community bulletin should have posts regarding upcoming events or chances to meet your neighbors. It allows you to get to know new people and invite them into your new home.

Decorate Every Space

After obtaining your new home, you can have a fresh mindset of how you wish to decorate it. Using welcoming colors, such as bright tones or neutrals, can make a room appear larger. Additionally, having accent colors in your furniture and wall decor can help the room stand out.

For things to consider when personalizing your new home, playing around with different patterns and materials is a fun way to explore your preferred styles. Solids, stripes, animal prints, patterns—it’s all accessible and fun to mix and match!

If you struggle with finding a style or theme you like, try to search through magazines or online to find ideas. It is never a bad idea to find inspiration from other sources and make them your own.

Make It Inviting

Owning a new home is one thing, but making it an inviting space is another. After spending so much time decorating to your heart’s content, hosting a small party is the perfect reward.

Another fun addition to an inviting home is the aroma throughout the space. Bake a delicious rhubarb pie or light a few floral candles: the possibilities are limitless. Everyone loves a wonderful home with its memorable scents.

Entering retirement shouldn’t be overly exerting work. You can take it one day at a time, finding what works best for you. Then life is nothing but relaxation.

The Advantages of Going Back to School as an Older Adult

The idea of going back to school can make you nervous, no matter your age. And if you are an adult, going back to school after being out for a number of years might make you feel even more anxious. From balancing work and school to learning new tech, you might feel overwhelmed if you are thinking about going back to get your degree. Still, you don’t have to be worried since there are actually several benefits of getting your degree as an adult.

Paying for Your Degree

As an adult student, you might be in a better place financially, so it might be easier for you to cover the cost of tuition. Of course, you might still want to consider taking out a student loan from a private lender to pay for any costs you can’t afford out of pocket. That way, you can complete your degree as an adult without worrying about finances.

More Motivated and Mature

As an adult, you likely have more at stake than a typical freshman in college since you have had a bit of time to grow up and mature. At this stage of life, you may have already become a parent, helped support someone facing loss and death, or embarked on a successful career. And your ambitions and money are at stake, which can keep you more invested than an 18-year-old whose parents are paying the cost. You are also likely giving up more free time and moments with your family to attend school. At the same time, you might also have commitments at work.

Because of these and other sacrifices, an adult student is likely more invested in education. Getting this degree could enhance your career or help you switch directions, so you stand to benefit a lot more. Or you might feel this is a personal achievement you were not able to finish in the past. Still, being driven ill help you succeed and ensure you are successful.

Bringing a Unique Perspective to the Classroom

Your work experience can benefit you as well. Whether or not it relates to your field of study, it lets you bring a unique perspective to a room of freshmen. It also helps you better process lessons in the classroom since you can compare them to your real-life experience. By drawing from both the present and past, you can bring your insights to the discussions. The theories and principles you learn in the classroom are ones that traditional students will apply at some point in the future. But you will have lived them already.

Fewer Distractions

Traditional college students face many distractions they will need to learn how to avoid, including roommates, parties, and learning how to do various tasks for the first time. But you likely won’t face these distractions, so you can focus more on completing your education. Unlike a freshman, you won’t have to worry about your popularity or what you will do after graduation. And since you won’t have as much time to attend parties or be distracted, you can be more focused. You likely have your priorities in order at this point, and that can give you a strong advantage over your other classmates.

Home Maintenance Tasks Seniors Shouldn’t Neglect

Growing older is a beautiful event, but as we grow older, we tend to forget things and may even let other things slide entirely. Whether you’re the one growing older or are the caregiver for someone reaching this point in their life, you should look over this list of essential home maintenance you shouldn’t neglect.

Check for Water Damage on Your Windows

When you wash your windows, it’s essential to look them over and ensure they have not sustained any water damage. You can do this by inspecting the interior and exterior trim for signs of rot, moisture build-up, and leaks. If you notice any issues, place caulk over these areas. Doing this task will help prevent issues that’ll cost even more to repair.

Clean Out the Dryer Vent

This is a task we don’t often think to do, but if we don’t clean our dryer vents, a fire can occur. It’s not that the appliance is faulty—it’s that the vents are so clogged with dust and debris that they can’t function properly. Built-up lint and other debris can get caught and clog our vents, which can prevent clothes from drying thoroughly and will have your home smelling bad. You should clean your dryer vent at least twice a year for the best performance and safety.

Inspect and Clean Your Gutters

We don’t particularly enjoy sharing our residences with furry friends unless they’re cats or dogs. Pests and vermin such as rats, squirrels, and even birds can nest in our gutters without making us aware. Prevent this from occurring by cleaning your gutters. Throughout the year, you need to inspect your gutters to help prevent clogs. If you can do this yourself or have family nearby who can help with this task, you should strive to clean your gutters once every six months. Adhering to this schedule should prevent water from leaking into your home and damaging your foundation.

Inspect Your Roof Often

Roofs are what protect us from the elements. You should renovate your roof every 15 to 30 years, depending on the type and material of its shingles. However, many people aren’t aware of how often different types of shingles need to be replaced. The best way to examine your roof is to look for curling and separating shingles, spots that hardly have any shingles, and areas with thinning asphalt.

Inspect for Drips While Doing Dishes

After you have finished washing your dishes, make sure to turn the faucet off completely. We often don’t consider this when working with faucets, showers, and toilets. If your faucet or shower is still running or dripping, you’re wasting water. After you do the dishes, open the cabinets under your sink and check for any signs of moisture.

This list of home maintenance you shouldn’t neglect reflects how we can better improve our lives as we grow older. These items, as well as many others, are things that you should remember to check throughout the day and over the next few years. Remember that these home maintenance tasks aren’t only important for single-family homes—they’re necessary for assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and homes in retirement communities as well!

What the Nursing Shortage of 2021 Means for Seniors

The nursing shortage can feel scary. There are fewer than ten nurses for every 1,000 people. If something happens to a good chunk of the population, there wouldn’t be enough nurses to go around, and that’s scary. The good thing is understanding the issue makes it easier to address.

High Quality

Quality care is what all seniors want, yet they don’t always get it. Because of the shortage, some nurses are asked to do more than usual. Overworked nurses feel tired. That’s not good because it may start to affect their job performance. All this affects quality, but the good thing is this shortage is also ushering in the solution. As demand continues to spike and the shortage continues, nurses can ask for better hours. They can ask for a better work environment, which should help improve the care seniors receive. This is a good thing for everyone, and hopefully, it only continues to get better.

Standards Maintained

When there’s a shortage, some industries start to overlook certain qualifications, and that idea is floating around the world. Seniors are scared that since there’s such a significant shortage, hospitals and other health care centers will start hiring folks that aren’t qualified, but that’s not the case. Comprehensive background checks for nursing staff and other qualifications are still required before someone is allowed to treat patients. The truth is this shortage is making health care centers focus on hiring the most talented nurses because they know seniors will go where the nursing staff is more effective and qualified.

Growing Interest

A shortage like this one is exposing the importance of investing in health care. The country doesn’t have enough schools that focus on helping folks become nurses. Different states and local governments are trying to figure out how to offer an easier path for people to become nurses, and this wouldn’t be possible if there weren’t such a significant shortage. What’s even better is that there’s a lot of interest because there’s such a shortage. Young adults are looking at this profession and realizing it represents a secure career. They also see that this path allows them to help others. With renewed interest, it’s likely the industry will continue to get better at producing talented nurses.

Improved Personalization

Personalization wasn’t something hospitals could always provide. Sure, smaller clinics might be able to do it a little better than larger hospitals, but it still wasn’t all that personal. That’s no longer the case. The shortage is also increasing the demand for more personalization. Nurses that know their value are offering their services directly to seniors in their homes. Seniors get to have talent all to themselves, and they get to feel safe at home. As this type of nursing continues to rise, it will continue to become more accessible to seniors, and that’s a great thing. Giving seniors a choice between care centers and staying at home with a person they trust is a good thing.

Reliance on Technology

The shortage is bound to create some issues. Some nurses might feel a little burned out after a while. A burned-out nurse could make mistakes that could put someone in danger. What’s interesting, though, is that this shortage has made healthcare and biological technology even more critical. There’s a lot of technology available today. There are wearables designed to help monitor seniors without even being there. If anything were to happen, the nurse could be notified to take the necessary steps. This reliance on technology will create a demand for advancements, improving the kind of care seniors can expect using tech.

Seniors should continue to pay attention to the shortage, but there’s no need to worry. Hopefully, the shortage continues to provide the industry with reasons to continue to innovate.

How to Tell if Assisted Living Is the Right Choice for Your Loved One

Assisted living is a type of senior housing created for those who need different levels of personal and medical care. If you have a loved one who is reaching the stage of needing extra support and care, it may be time to look into assisted living options. If you’re not sure what step to take next, here is a guide on what signs to look out for in your loved one which could indicate it’s time for them to go into assisted living.

Chronic Health Problems

If your loved one has chronic health problems, as they age, the condition will continue to worsen. What’s more, their immune system may weaken which will make them more susceptible to viruses and illness. Conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s can often lead to urinary incontinence too, which will require reusable incontinence pads. You may find that you’re unable to meet your loved one’s health needs, meaning it may be time to look into assisted living.

Forgetting to Take Medication

We all forget to take medication from time to time. However, this can be a real problem if it’s frequent. If your loved one isn’t keeping on top of their medication, any health conditions they suffer from could get worse. Should your loved one move into an assisted living facility, you can be confident that the staff will be there to remind them to take their medicine.

Change in Behavior

If your loved one has dementia, as the disease progresses, they may start becoming more aggressive. Sadly, this is a distressing effect of the disease, so if you notice a change in their behavior, assisted living may be the right step to take. Should you try and care for a loved one who is physically or verbally abusive, this can have a huge impact on your own health and wellbeing. Therefore, finding a safe place for your loved one with trained professionals will mean they can handle difficult situations and, most importantly, provide the right care.

Recent Falls

As your loved one reaches their senior years, they may have problems with their mobility. Falls are common among seniors and, if they live alone, there are all kinds of hazards in the home where they are at risk of falling. If your loved one has had a fall recently and you are concerned that they may be unable to call for assistance or get up, moving them into an assisted living facility will mean they can be monitored 24/7.

Difficulty Handling Daily Tasks

Whether it’s cooking dinner, grocery shopping, or cleaning, there are all sorts of tasks that we do on a day-to-day basis. As your loved one ages, the simplest of tasks may feel like an impossible challenge. If your loved one is struggling to keep on top of the house or other daily tasks, it may be time to look into assisted living options.

It can be hard to see a loved one lose a portion of their independence. However, when it comes to keeping them safe and in good health, assisted living facilities have the expertise and knowledge to look after them.