How To Decide if Your Loved One Needs Assisted Living
Sometimes, watching out for whether your aging loved ones are leading successful independent lives requires a keen eye for detail, since the signs they need additional support can start out subtle. For example, your loved one may have been doing well for years in an independent community before they start having trouble with basic activities, such as dressing or bathing. When this happens, it’s essential that your loved one gets the attention and care they need and deserve to continue leading a successful life.
At Silverfern, we offer both independent living and assisted living, allowing you or your loved one to gradually transition from independent living to assisted living as their need for support increases. We do this by helping you and your loved ones monitor activities of daily living (ADLs) and providing you with the resources to help your loved one access any necessary support.
What Are Activities of Daily Life (ADLs)?
Activities of daily life are an integral part of every person’s independence. These are activities that occur regularly, and there are different levels that can help indicate whether your loved one needs
assisted living, independent living, or is successful and comfortable at home.
Basic Activities of Daily Life (BADLs)
- Bathing & Showering: Observe whether your loved one can bathe safely and whether they’re avoiding bathing due to a fear of falling.
- Dressing: Watch for whether they can choose appropriate clothing for various occasions and whether your loved one can get dressed with little to no help.
- Toileting: Questions to ask include whether your loved one makes it to the restroom in time and whether they’re managing hygiene independently.
- Continence: Monitor for ongoing concerns with bladder or bowel control.
- Eating: You can monitor whether your loved one can feed themselves healthy and regular meals and whether they’re losing weight without trying.
- Mobility/Transferring:
Observe whether your loved one can move from a bed to a chair, from a chair to a standing position, or from a bed to a standing position. You should also monitor for any recent falls, episodes of dizziness, or loss of balance.
Instrumental Activities of Daily Life (IADLs)
- Meal Preparation: Are they eating nutritious meals or relying on snacks?
- Medication Management: Are they missing doses or accidentally doubling up?
- Housekeeping: Is the home clean and safe, and are chores becoming overwhelming?
- Transportation: Can they drive safely, and are they able to get to appointments on time?
- Managing Finances: Are bills being paid on time, and is there any confusion or mismanagement?
- Communication:
Do they handle phone calls or scheduling independently?
Questions To Ask To Determine Assisted Living Needs
If you are answering yes to multiple of these questions, it’s likely time to consider assisted living for your loved one:
- Does Your Loved One Need Help With At Least Two BADLs?
- Do Medication Mistakes Occur Regularly?
- Are Safety Incidents Occurring or Narrowly Avoided?
- Are IADLs Failing Despite Support?
- Are Caregiving Demands Overwhelming the Family?
Contact Silverfern Today For Independent and Assisted Living in a Thriving Community
At Silverfern, we have options for independent living and assisted living that can help you and your aging loved ones continue to lead excellent lives. Whether you need occasional reminders or additional support to be successful, we’re here to help you. Contact us to learn more or check out our blog.
