Things to Consider
Allowing an older adult to remain in their home or move into Peachtree Assisted Living is a decision that concerns those involved in their lives, who can speak to their ability to care for themselves in multiple aspects. Exhaustion is often the source of a decline in older adults’ ability to care for themselves, and can lead to a wide range of personal, medical and safety problems.
Keeping an older adult who cannot care for themselves at home require hands-on support and around-the-clock care, something that is very time consuming and easy to slip up on. If you or your loved one’s need for care is becoming unmanageable or if there are feelings of a collective strain regarding caregiving activites, Peachtree Assisted Living is a reliable alternative.
Of course, the most important thing to consider is the safety of you or your loved one. However, emotional well-being is equally important. If someone living alone is riddled with anxieties or is showing signs of increasing loneliness, then moving into a community home may be the smartest decision, regardless of health and safety reasons.
With appropriate permission, prospective residents’ primary doctors may share their concerns about their patient’s safety at home – or they may be able to alleviate those concerns, or suggest where to recieve a home assessment.
Is Assisted Living the Right Decision?
Consider the following questions for you or your loved one:
Are you or your loved one having difficulty with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)? ADLs are the skills needed to live independently – dressing, shopping, cooking, doing laundry, managing medications, etc.
Did you or your loved one take a fall, have a medical scare, or get in a fender bender? Who responded and how long did it take?
How did you or your loved one weather the most recent injury or illness? Was he or she able and willing to seek medical care when needed?
Do you or your loved one have a chronic condition that is worsening?
Is you or your loved one showing signs dementia?
Are you or your loved one experiencing noticeable weight changes? This could indicate poor food choices or meal preparation problems.
Can you or your loved one rise easily from a chair? Does she or he seem unsteady or unable to balance?
Are you or your loved exhibiting signs of poor hygiene?
Do you or your loved one still go on outings with friends, visit with neighbors, or participate in religious activities or other group events?
Have you or your loved one abandoned hobbies or cancelled club memberships?
Do you or your loved one spend days without leaving the house?
Do you or your loved one require someone to check in on them on a regular basis?
If there’s a fire, tornado, flood, or other disaster, is someone on standby to assist? Do you or your loved one understand the plan?
Are you or your loved having difficulty managing personal finances or other related personal matters?
Do you or your loved one have difficulty driving or is nervous about driving themselves?
Do you or your loved have issues keeping a vehicle maintained?
Broken appliances. Check them all: microwave, coffeemaker, toaster, washer, and dryer – any device you know your loved one uses (or used to use) routinely.
Are you or your loved one finding it difficult to keep the house clean and well maintained?
Are you or your loved one having trouble tending to household pets?
Are you or your loved one neglecting to retrieve and/or respond to the mail, answer or return phone calls and e-mails?