Of course, don't forget to consult with their healthcare provider before making the final decision.
How To Tell If Your Loved One Needs Assisted Living In Troy, Illinois
Does your loved one suffer from Alzheimer's disease or dementia? If so, you'll need to consider memory care services when looking for assisted living in Troy, IL.
Only a handful of assisted living communities offer memory care support for their residents, so be sure to consider that care need during your search.
Now let's dive into the top signs that your loved one is ready for assisted living.
1. Requires Assistance With ADLs
The concept of activities of daily living (ADLs) was originally developed by Sidney Katz back in the 1950s (DwellAssured). ADLs refer to people's daily self-care activities and their ability to perform those fundamental tasks. These include:
- Bathing and showering
- Personal hygiene and grooming
- Dressing
- Feeding
- Toileting
- And functional mobility (e.g., ability to walk, get in and out of bed, etc.)
There are also a few instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), which expand upon these basic activities and are more complex. These include:
- Transportation
- Managing money
- Shopping for groceries and meal preparation
- House cleaning and home maintenance
- Managing prescription medications
- Using the telephone and other forms of communications
If you notice your loved one is having difficulty with ADLs and IADLs, then they will greatly benefit from a senior living community.
2. Worsening Medical Conditions
Approximately 80% of older adults have at least one chronic condition, according to the National Council of Aging. These may be debilitating conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease or heart disease.
As seniors with these conditions get older, they will need more and more medical attention and will grow less capable of taking care of themselves. Simultaneously, the potential for medical emergencies increases with age too.
If your loved one has a medical condition and it is worsening, it may be time for assisted living.
3. Isolation
Unfortunately, senior isolation is a serious problem in the U.S. As the CDC notes, nearly 25% of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. Even if you live with your aging loved one, they can still feel isolated and that can greatly impact their mental and physical health.
Social isolation is associated with a 50% increased risk of dementia and other serious medical conditions. These increased health risks may include:
- Depression
- Heart disease and stroke
- Anxiety disorders
- Addiction
- Obesity
- And even premature death
Your senior loved one won't ever feel isolated at an assisted living facility. At The Creeks, for instance, we encourage residents to get involved and socialize every day through engaging activities, fun classes, communal games, and more.
4. You're Overwhelmed By Their Care Needs
Are you responsible for the care needs of your loved one? If so, then you need to take stock of your own mental and physical health.
When you're juggling their care needs with your other responsibilities and your personal life, you can start to feel overwhelmed. It might help to ask yourself key questions like:
- How are you feeling about yourself?
- How are you feeling about the person you're supporting?
- Are you getting enough sleep and rest?
- How are you feeling about the current state of your life?
- Have you been able to successfully manage other aspects of your life on top of your care responsibilities?
If you have negative answers to these questions, then it might be time to step away from your primary caregiving role.
Learn About Our Approach To Assisted Living In Troy, Illinois
Is it finally time to move your loved one into an assisted living community? If so, you've already come to the right place.
At the Aspen Creek of Troy, we've created a unique home-like assisted living residence that's specifically designed for seniors with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Our certified caregivers provide personalized care services for all of our residents. We know your loved one will feel safe, comfortable, and right at home in our close-knit community.
Contact The Creeks today to schedule your tour and learn more about our approach to memory care and assisted living in Troy, Illinois.