At the beginning of the New Year, there is often an increase in inquiries about retirement communities. This is because during the holiday season; children and loved ones spend more time together with elderly family members and become aware of their mental and physical health.
It may be time to start looking at senior living options if you increasingly feel that assistance has to be provided to your loved ones
So, a tour of an assisted living community in Long Beach, MS should be done sooner rather than later so that everyone involved can make the best decision for a loved one.
When is it Time to Explore Senior Living?
The following questions will help you determine if it is time to inquire about senior living options for your family member:
- Health: Have they been taking their medications correctly? Does the weight loss seem significant? It is possible that unexplained weight loss is indicative of a serious health problem.
- Emotions: What is their emotional state? Do they seem to be more irritable and moody recently? How are they getting along with friends and participating in activities they have always loved?
- Hygiene: The neglect of personal hygiene and cleanliness can indicate that help is needed. Is your loved one taking care of their physical well-being? Make sure they are bathing, brushing their teeth, and wearing clean clothes on a regular basis.
- Home: What is the condition of your loved one’s home? It can be a sign that more assistance is needed if the home is in need of repairs and unmaintained.
- Memory: Memory loss, difficulty performing familiar tasks, poor judgment, losing items, disorientation, rapid mood swings, apathy, passiveness, and difficulty managing emotions are all early Alzheimer’s symptoms. Symptoms like these can be determined by a doctor’s evaluation and treated accordingly.
- Mobility: Are they having difficulty moving around the house? A person who is unsteady on their feet or has trouble walking is more likely to fall and injure themselves and will benefit from moving to an assisted living community
- Money: What is their financial situation? Are there any mishandled bills or strange spending habits that should be investigated?
- Transportation: Are there any dents on their car? It could be a sign of driving that is erratic or unsafe.
Common Types of Retirement Communities
There are different types of senior living or retirement communities to accommodate the varying needs of those in their golden years
- An Assisted Living Community is intended to provide housing, services, personalized assistance, and care to people who require assistance with daily activities.
- An Independent Living Community caters to older adults who are active and do not require much assistance from others. It gives them the freedom to come and leave at will, control over their own schedules, and the option to reside in private dwellings. There may be opportunities to socialize, participate in optional events, join special interest clubs, and enjoy all the comforts of a home with resort-like amenities.
- Memory Care is specially designed for people who suffer from memory loss such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. There are many independent living communities and assisted living communities that offer memory care. The residents of the care center live in a secure space and enjoy activities coordinated by team members with specialized training for caring for individuals with memory impairments.
Conclusion
Thankfully there are many excellent options for senior living today! The new year is a great time to explore your options. So speak to any of our friendly team members and let us assist you.
