Not only is she forgetting to turn off appliances, she’s struggling to get up the stairs. Your biggest fear is a call at two a.m. saying she has fallen and just can’t get up.
The question is: when is it time to move to an assisted living facility? Following are seven signs you need to know-and how to proceed once the decision to move to assisted living is made.
1. You’re afraid your parent might fall.
Are you noticing that your parent isn’t quite as steady these days? This is one of the biggest signs that it’s time to consider an assisted living facility.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “one out of three older people falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor.” This means your parent might conceal a fall out of shame or the fear of losing his or her independence.
So keep an eye out when it comes to your parent’s ability to get around in general. This will help you to determine when it’s time to make a change.
2. He or she has dementia.
Something as simple as forgetting to take needed medication can greatly affect your parent’s health. That’s why you need to know just how much medical care your parent has been requiring.