Knowing When it's Time

Knowing When it is Time for Assisted Living

We don’t have to tell you it’s not easy to be a caregiver. It is a 24-hour, 7-day a week commitment and can quickly overwhelm you and your family members.

There are many indicators that you can look for that may mean your parent, spouse, other relative or friend needs assisted living including:

• Feeling lonely, sad or melancholy.
• Avoiding activities that were previously enjoyed such as bridge, book club or attending church.
• Taking medications too often or not at all.
• Experiencing physical problems such as arthritis, physical weakness or poor balance.
• Losing weight because they are nibbling on quick foods, rather than eating nutritious meals.
• Burning pots and pans as they prepare food.
• Neglecting personal hygiene resulting in body odor, bad breath, neglected nails and teeth.
• Neglecting their home so that it is not as clean and orderly as it once was.
• Acting paranoid, agitated, making phone calls at odd hours, getting lost in familiar places.
• Mishandling finances, not paying bills, paying bills twice, losing money, hiding money; becoming unusually miserly or extravagant.
• Experiencing confusion about the day of the week or the time of the day.

When a loved one needs more care than you can provide at home, assisted living may be the right choice.

• Three nutritious meals are prepared and served each and every day.
• Housekeeping and laundry chores are included—unless your loved one wants to do it themselves.
• There is always someone available if your loved one needs assistance or just wants to chat.
• Medications are prepared and delivered as ordered by the doctor—you don’t need to keep track of your loved one’s medication schedule.
• Your loved one can enjoy the companionship of new friends, neighbors and staff.
• Activities are planned daily that will stimulate your loved one mentally, physically, spiritually, socially and emotionally.
• You have peace of mind knowing that our staff is on-duty and available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for any planned or unplanned needs and that someone will be checking in with your loved one each and every day.
• Your quality of life and your relationship with your loved one will be enhanced.

If you need additional help in making this determination, feel free to contact your Administrator or visit Michigan Assisted Living Association.

We also have a number of Local, State and National Organizations listed that can provide you with additional help and support.