How To Know It’s Time For Assisted Living

Guardian Center for Memory Support Open House
November 11, 2020

As your parents age, it can be hard to tell when it might be time for some extra care. We sat down with one of our nursing supervisors, Quita Howell, at Christian Village Communities to learn about some indicators it might be time for assisted living. Quita shared her expertise and how assisted living can improve the quality of life for older adults.

Q: How can family members know when it is time to consider assisted living?

A: There are multiple warning signs that your parents might need some extra care on a day-to-day basis. Quita pointed out some specific physical cues like, “struggling to get in and out of showers, finding the task of cooking or meal planning to be overwhelming, or experiencing a fall that could be life-threatening”. There are also some mental cues for assisted living, which include isolating themselves from friends and family, forgetting to take their medications, or leaving home less frequently. If you notice your family member experiencing any of these things, it might be time to consider an extra level of care and learn about assisted living.

Q: What are some health signs that extra care might be necessary?

A: If your family member is experiencing frequent confusion, falls, weight loss, or disorientation, it’s time to consider assisted living. Any of these symptoms could be an indicator that extra care is needed.

Q: What can happen if seniors wait too long to seek extra help?

A: Choosing to seek out assisted living options before it’s too late will allow older adults to age in place. An assisted living resident enjoys added assistance, allowing them to keep their independence longer. A common example that Quita shared is when a resident has struggled to medicate themselves and a nurse is able to manage that for them, the resident feels less overwhelmed and has energy for other activities. Older adults can exert their energy very easily so assistance from others can allow them to spend their time on activities they want to do. Our goal at Christian Village Communities is to keep assisted living residents as independent as long as possible.

Q: How can assisted living improve a resident’s quality of life?

A: Assisted living allows older adults to keep their independence while enjoying the freedom to use their time how they want to. They can focus on what matters to them instead of using all their energy for remedial tasks. An additional benefit is that residents will adopt healthier eating habits when they are in a social environment and eating with others daily.

Q: Why should family members consider assisted living for a loved one?

A: Assisted living can transfer the responsibility from the family members to the professionals, which will allow the family members to enjoy quality, carefree time with their loved ones. Assisted living can also give older adults a newfound level of independence and dominance over their lives and decisions.

The search for an assisted living community can be a time-consuming and occasionally confusing process. Every assisted living community will vary from living options and amenities included so it’s important to do your research. Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible for your family which is why we’ve answered some commonly asked questions about our community.

FAQ’s about The Christian Village Communities

Q: What does assisted living at the Christian Village Communities include?

A: With the support of trained, 24-hour staff, older adults will be empowered to remain independent and connected.  Our assisted living services include:

  • All meals
  • Daily opportunities for learning, creativity, fitness, and fun
  • Regular housekeeping and linen services
  • Emergency pull cords and/or pendants
  • Assistance with daily tasks like bathing, grooming, and getting dressed
  • Medication administration

Q: Do residents have a roommate?

A: At Christian Village Communities, all assisted living apartments are private.

Q: Will my family member have to change doctors?

A: We have a Medical Director for on-site visits and a podiatrist, dentist, and optometrist who regularly visit our communities.

Q: Can they bring their own furniture?

A: Yes, we consider this their new home and want them to furnish it however they want to!

Q: What is CVC doing to keep residents safe during the Covid-19 pandemic?

A: At The Christian Village Communities, we pride ourselves on doing everything possible to keep your family members safe, healthy, and happy while following state health guidelines. We have implemented various COVID-19 precautions across all care levels to keep your family members safe. This includes regularly testing all our residents and staff. We encourage all residents to stay inside the facility and provide a concierge who will run to Kroger to purchase any groceries or small items they need. Additionally, we have added social distancing precautions in our dining areas for assisted living residents, such as plexiglass in between tables, limiting capacity during dining hours, and spacing out tables for minimal contact.

Q: Will we be able to see or talk to our family members despite the current restrictions?

At this time, the Ohio Department of Health is not permitting in-person visits to assisted living facilities, but we are doing everything we can to help you and your family members stay connected. Our staff members are always present to assist residents with Facetime or video chats with their family members.

Q: Will my family members have opportunities to socialize and meet people?

Your family member will have many opportunities to safely socialize with other residents in our community. We have an activities team planning multiple events a week for 10 residents at a time. Residents also can socialize during lunch and dinner in the dining room.

The decision to move into a Life Plan Community can be challenging and filled with many questions, but we’re here to help! If you think it might be time to make the move, contact us at www.christianvillages.org/ to learn more about assisted living and how it can enhance your loved one’s quality of life. We’re here to answer any questions you might have, provide helpful resources, and walk you through the process of joining a life plan community. Don’t be afraid to take the first step and reach out today!

share

Recommended Posts