When Is It Time to Consider Assisted Living for a Parent?
Deciding when a parent may benefit from assisted living can be difficult. Often, the right time isn’t determined by age but by whether everyday activities are becoming harder to manage safely and independently.
At Evergreen Estates, assisted living is designed for people who need help from nursing staff with daily activities such as maintaining adequate nutrition, remembering medications, dressing, or bathing.
Signs It May Be Time to Consider Assisted Living
You may want to begin exploring assisted living if you notice your parent is:
- Having difficulty managing medications. Missing doses, taking medications incorrectly, or becoming confused about prescriptions can indicate that additional support would be helpful. Evergreen Estates provides medication assistance based on physician orders and oversight from its Director of Nursing.
- Struggling with bathing, dressing, or personal care. Needing reminders or physical assistance with everyday activities can be an important indication that living alone is becoming more difficult.
- Having trouble maintaining proper nutrition. If preparing meals or eating regularly has become challenging, assisted living can provide additional support. Evergreen Estates includes three daily meals plus snacks and refreshments throughout the day.
- Finding household responsibilities overwhelming. Cooking, laundry, cleaning, maintenance, and other household responsibilities can become increasingly difficult. Evergreen Estates provides weekly housekeeping, linen changes, personal laundry services, meals, and a maintenance-free living environment.
- Becoming increasingly isolated. Living alone can mean fewer opportunities for regular social interaction. Evergreen Estates offers scheduled activities and a community environment where residents can spend time with friends and neighbors. Resident and family testimonials also describe the benefits of companionship and no longer eating meals alone.
- Needing greater day-to-day safety and support. Evergreen Estates provides an emergency call pendant system, emergency pull cords, and trained, awake staff 24 hours a day.
Assisted Living Doesn’t Mean Giving Up Independence
Moving to assisted living doesn’t necessarily mean your parent can no longer live independently. The goal can be to provide the right amount of assistance while allowing them to continue doing the things they can safely manage themselves.
Evergreen Estates uses a nursing assessment to evaluate each resident’s abilities and individual needs. That assessment is then used to develop a personalized care plan describing the services staff will provide. The plan can be adjusted as healthcare needs change.
For parents who don’t yet require personal-care assistance but would benefit from fewer household responsibilities, independent retirement living may be another option. Evergreen Estates describes retirement living as a way to simplify life by eliminating much of the maintenance associated with owning a home.
Start the Conversation Before There’s a Crisis
Families don’t have to wait for an emergency before considering assisted living. If you’re increasingly worried about your parent’s medications, nutrition, personal care, safety, or ability to manage everyday life, it may be a good time to explore available options.
Evergreen Estates offers a free nursing assessment to help determine a person’s needs, wants, and limitations and whether assisted living is appropriate. Families can also tour the community before deciding whether it’s the right fit.
Evergreen Estates is located in Clarkston, Washington, in the Lewis-Clark Valley on the TriState Health campus and offers both independent retirement living and assisted living.