Is There a Right Time to Move into an Assisted Living Community?
It’s true that there comes a time when you need to contemplate moving to a retirement community or a senior living home. However, when we talk about the ‘right time’, know that there’s no such thing. Unfortunately, there’s no magic number to suddenly determine or make someone eligible to enter one of the assisted living communities.
With that said, most organizations consider people 55+ years of age, eligible for a discount. It may sound cliche but ‘age really is just a number.’ The right time comes when you find it in your heart. If you suddenly feel like a burden living on your own; take that as a cue.
When Should You Move into Assisted Living?
The average age of those living in retirement communities tends to be 84. And, most of them move sometime between 75-85 years of age. However, these numbers are beginning to shift. More and more young seniors are moving into retirement communities for the comfortable lifestyle it affords them.
Once again, the right age for the move is different for different individuals. Each person has to decide for themselves. Younger, relatively active seniors may gravitate to such communities for the convenience, opportunities for recreation, and easy traveling.
As for the older residents needing support, amenities like housekeeping, social support, activities, and chef-prepared meals are other reasons to consider the move. Many older seniors find comfort in easy access to healthcare partners, security, and the convenience of mobile safety.
Why More and More Younger Seniors Are Moving to Assisted Living?
Most people have this picture of a typical retirement home where they imagine a place full of weak, frail seniors who can no longer live an active or happy life. But, the reality is quite different. A senior living community is not the same as a nursing home.
The former encourages an active lifestyle with more room for socialization, embracing new lifestyle opportunities, learning new crafts, and so much more.
You don’t have to be over 80 to be living in a senior community or one of the faith-based assisted living homes. That’s the reason why a growing number of active seniors are deciding to move early on.
Many individuals wait until they’re hit with a health crisis before contemplating residence plans. However, many homes tend to have waiting lists which might disrupt their plans. Therefore, it’s good to be ready early on rather than waiting for an emergency to push you into making the move.
Signs It May Be Time for Assisted Living
While many seniors would take the time to transition towards a retirement home or assisted living all on their own; others might need a little nudging by their family members or friends.
If your elderly parents are frail and need regular supervision, be on the lookout for a few signs. Those signs may suggest it’s time to move them into an assisted living home or memory care. Here are some of them –
- Increasing agitation or aggression, also known as sundowning. The symptoms become worse during the evening.
- Difficulty maintaining hygiene without help.
- Growing forgetfulness such as leaving the candles or kitchen stove on. This could compromise everyone’s safety.
- Episodes of unexplained, aimless wandering outside.
- Forgetting to bathe or change for days.
- Exhibiting signs of loneliness, isolation, or depression.
- Trouble running everyday chores and normal activities like driving a car.
- Signs of memory loss
- Feeling out of the zone and/or showing a lack of interest in things they normally enjoyed.
If your senior is experiencing a lot of these signs, it’s time to look through assisted living or memory home options.
Making the Choice
As we said, there is no ‘RIGHT’ time or age to transition to a retirement home or assisted community. Also, regardless of whoever is making the choice – know that it’s a tough decision for everyone involved. Both the family and the seniors have to go through periods of overwhelm before everyone becomes comfortable with the decision.
However, it is one decision that most families have to inevitably make at some point or another. For many families, it comes earlier than others.
Regardless of whose choice it is, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. Understand the benefits as well as challenges that will come with the move. Make sure that benefits always outweigh the cons.
In Conclusion
Seniors deserve dignity and compassion, and they should have each of these when it comes to a nursing home, assisted living facility or any other sort of care. Keep your search focused on these qualities and look for an option that will ensure the best quality of life. Also try to look for ways to alleviate any stress or emotional strain that may come up during the search.
Always go with a facility that your seniors can enjoy and live out the rest of their days in peace, joy, and tranquility.
Northfield Retirement Communities offers trustworthy and professional rehabilitation, independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and specialty services for seniors. Call 308.632.4342 for more information.
