Many senior adults struggle with the decision to use assisted living services, often enlisting the help of friends and family to determine when the time is right. Choosing to leave your own home and transition to a senior assisted living program depends on numerous factors. Some seniors know when it’s time to start moving into senior assisted living, while others need their loved ones’ help.
The professionals at Buckner Retirement Services aim to make moving into senior assisted living easy. We’ll work with you to help determine whether the time is right, and when it is, we’ll make the transition as smooth as possible. Contact the Buckner Retirement Services team at 214.227.7182 to find out more about moving into senior assisted living.
Knowing When to Move into Assisted Living
If you’re unsure when to move into assisted living, there are several signs you will want to consider. The following are three of the most common things that lead seniors to transition to an assisted living community.
Difficulty Performing Daily Tasks
When you or a loved one has difficulty performing usual daily tasks, it may be time to move into an assisted living community. These include things like preparing meals or completing basic household chores. Having a hard time completing daily tasks on your own indicates that you may benefit from being in assisted living.
Medical Issues
Many seniors decide to move into an assisted living community when health issues make their ability to live on their own difficult. Medical conditions that affect your mobility can make it impossible to navigate your own home and perform your usual activities, such as cooking and cleaning or maintaining personal hygiene.
If a medical condition has hindered your ability to care for yourself properly, it could be time to look into Assisted Living.
Safety Concerns
One of the biggest indicators that you or a loved one should move into assisted living is safety concerns. For many senior adults, cognitive decline can lead to serious safety issues. Some seniors begin to leave their homes and wander until they are lost. Others can become forgetful and do things like leaving the oven on or forgetting something is cooking on the stovetop. When memory loss and cognitive issues become a safety concern, it is often time to transition to assisted living.
Transitioning Into Senior Assisted Living
Is someone you care about transitioning into senior assisted living? Moving into senior assisted living can feel intimidating for an older adult. Fortunately, you can take steps to make the process easier for your loved one, such as:
- Assist with packing and preparations
- Establish a communication plan for regular phone calls
- Schedule regular visits
- Get acquainted with caretakers within the community
- Help create a comfortable environment in their new home
The goal is to help the senior adult in your life feel safe and comfortable when transitioning into their new home. Scheduling frequent calls and visits will help them remain connected to their loved ones while creating a comfortable environment that will make them feel more at home.
It is also important to establish a good relationship with the caretakers who will be working with your loved one to provide the best possible experience for everyone involved.
Utilizing Assisted Living in a Life Care Community
Assisted living communities are often located within larger life care communities, which offer a continuum of care for seniors. This means that as the health needs of the senior change, they can easily transition to higher levels of care without having to leave their community.
Life care communities also offer numerous amenities and activities to enhance the quality of life for their residents. They provide a social environment that encourages friendship and camaraderie, along with access to on-site healthcare services.
Deciding to move into assisted living can be a difficult decision, but it can also provide numerous benefits for seniors in need of additional support. With the help of loved ones and professionals at retirement communities like Buckner Retirement Services, making this transition can be a positive and fulfilling experience. So, if you or a loved one are considering assisted living, don’t hesitate to reach out and explore the options available.
Find Support for Your Loved One by Calling Buckner Retirement Services
Transitioning into senior assisted living can be hard, but the team at Buckner Retirement Services makes the process as simple as possible. We provide a variety of senior living options for older adults at every health and cognitive level.
Our goal is to ensure that you or your loved one can lead a full and healthy life while maintaining dignity and independence. Call 214.227.7182 or contact us online to find the right level of care for your loved one at Buckner.