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If your parents are having more and more difficulty with everyday activities such as showering, dressing, getting around the house, and running errands, assisted living  may be the answer. Your parents (and you!) can get the daily support you need, while remaining as independent as possible. Making the decision to move can be difficult for you and your parents, but you can make the transition easier by taking time to find the right fit and being honest about their needs and concerns.

So, how do you know if it’s time to consider assisted living for your parents? Ask yourself these questions:

  1. Do your parents need more help than family and friends are able to provide? Are the activities of daily living becoming stressful or overwhelming for them? If family or in-home help is not able to bridge the gap, assisted living is an option.
  2. Do your parents feel lonely or isolated at home? Having an active social life is vital to their health and happiness. Being alone much of the time is a recipe for depression. The social aspect of assisted living is a huge benefit. Good facilities offer a range of social and recreational activities. And the community environment also gives the opportunity to make new friends.
  3. Do you worry for their safety? Perhaps their mobility is limited, making it difficult for them to get out of bed by themselves, for example. Maybe you’re afraid of what might happen if they fell and couldn’t get up, or experience another problem and couldn’t get help.
  4. Are they tired of maintaining a home? There are a lot of responsibilities that come with living in your own home. Assisted living facilities can provide a home-like atmosphere, without the work of cooking, cleaning, shopping for groceries, and doing laundry.
  5. Is transportation an issue? Perhaps they are having trouble driving or can no longer drive. If public transportation or another alternative isn’t easy and convenient, they may be increasingly housebound. Assisted living facilities offer transportation, so you can get where you need to go without having to rely on friends and family.

Signs to look for that indicate a parent might need assisted living:

  • The refrigerator is empty or filled with spoiled food or your parent is losing weight. These may be signs that he or she isn’t eating well because shopping or cooking is difficult.
  • You notice frequent bruises, although your parent may try to cover them up. This may be a sign of falling, or mobility and balance problems.
  • Your parent wears the same clothes over and over again or neglects personal hygiene. This can indicate that doing laundry and bathing is physically challenging.
  • The house and yard isn’t as clean and tidy as it used to be.
  • Your parent forgets things, including doctor’s appointments and when to take medication. This may be due to memory loss.
  • Your parent seems depressed. Depression is common in seniors who are isolated and alone.
  • You notice strange or inappropriate behavior. For example, your parent may dress inappropriately for the weather. This can be a sign that he or she is experiencing confusion.

If you would like more information on how assisted living could benefit your parents, check out Pickersgill’s Assisted Living section of the website, or fill out this contact form and someone from Pickersgill Retirement Community will get in touch with you.