Assisted Living

Is it time for assisted living? We get asked the same question all the time, “How do I know when it’s the right time to move my mom/dad into assisted living?” We hope we can help you answer this question. 

A lot of times when it comes time to move mom or dad into assisted living people worry they are stripping away all of their independence, we know that some independence is lost, but for what gain? 

Take Gloria for example, she was like a lot of other elderly ladies: a widow living at her home alone, she wanted to remain fully independent even if that meant crawling down her stairs when she was not steady enough to walk down them, she stopped eating proper meals, and even tried to take her own garbage out when she knew several neighbors and family members she could call for help. After some time Gloria went to the garage to take the trash to the can and had a fall, she didn’t have a phone with her so she laid there until she was found by family, which ended with a fractured hip, hospital stay, followed by some lengthy rehab. Her family knew it was time to move grandma into Assisted Living! Although she felt like some of her independence was lost; she quickly made some friends, started eating a lot better, and started participating in activities. All the while enjoying her own space that was decorated like her home, and continuing to do things on her own but having the help when she needed it. Gloria never fully recovered from her fall, and used a walker to keep her steady while walking. The family couldn’t help but think of how things would have been different if they had moved her in sooner, before a bad accident. 

So when you are wondering if it’s the right time to move mom or dad to assisted living, think of this: Do you worry when they are home alone? Are they steady on their feet? Do they eat properly? Are they taking their medications? Our opinion is that though a little independence is given up, sometimes moving them in before something bad forces it actually allows them more independence in the long run! Gloria’s family was so grateful that they had the opportunity to give her the best quality of life up until the end. Which is our goal in providing care to all of our residents.