Recognizing the signs that your loved one may need care beyond assisted living can be difficult for everyone involved, both emotionally and in logistic terms. You want to get them the care they need, yet you don’t want to disrupt their daily routines or introduce changes that could upset them.
However, keeping your parent or loved one in an environment that doesn’t meet all their needs, doesn’t benefit them in the long run. Helping them instead move into a more suitable level of care, can improve their physical and mental well-being, offer them safer living conditions, and provide them with more joy in life.
The good news is there are several senior living communities in New Jersey that offer varying levels of senior care in one inclusive campus. These communities have assisted living apartments, as well as more specialized senior care neighborhoods, such as memory care and even early-stage dementia care all on the same campus, making the transition easier for both residents and their families.
If you’re unsure whether your family member would benefit from transitioning from assisted living to a greater level of care, below are five common signs you can look out for that may indicate it’s time to offer your loved one greater care opportunities.
Keeping your loved one safe is most likely your highest priority in determining their care. Perhaps your aging family member has recently had more trips to the doctor or the hospital due to more frequent falls, bruises, or cuts. Or perhaps their medications have gotten too complex for them to keep track of? Sometimes, chronic illnesses or mobility issues can also make it more challenging for seniors in their assisted living apartments to navigate daily life comfortably.
If their medical needs have increased or they show demand for more intensive care, it may be time to start looking at more specialized senior care levels.
A key indicator that your loved one may need more personalized care, is if they are showing trouble completing simple tasks, such as getting dressed (in weather-appropriate clothes) or neglecting their personal hygiene.
While assisted living staff is there to assist seniors with daily personal care activities, residents typically know what essential activities need to be done and how to ask for help. If you notice your loved one skipping out on their usual routine or even missing meals, this may be a sign that they would benefit from more dedicated guidance.
Developing memory loss or a type of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, is one of the most common reasons aging seniors may need more hands-on help. It’s important for you to recognize if the senior in your life may be affected. Receiving proper care, especially in the early stages of memory loss, can make a big difference in the progression of dementia, as well as your loved one’s overall health and well-being.
Early memory loss, sometimes referred to as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), can present itself with signs such as the person forgetting familiar names, people, and faces, or misplacing important objects. Another key sign is if they start to mix up basic facts, such as current dates, or how to use everyday objects, such as their phone or flushing the toilet.
Pay attention when you’re visiting your loved one whether they suddenly pause before saying your name or that of their spouse or child. Also look out for objects being out of place, such as finding food in the closet instead of the pantry, or discovering their keys in the fridge. They may also trail off in conversation or forget simple facts that were just communicated to them.
If early memory loss or cognitive decline may be affecting your loved one, you have exceptional options in the Marlton, NJ area where many senior living communities offer specialized care to help residents with cognitive issues and allow them to be more in control of their daily lives.
Has your loved one recently started withdrawing from social events? Studies have shown that staying connected is so very important to support a healthy aging process. If your loved one is showing less interest in social activities even though they are available to them, this could be a clue that a more heightened care level could benefit them. Staff in specialized senior care neighborhoods are skilled in encouraging residents to find and participate in activities they enjoy. Early-stage memory care staff in Marlton, NJ even creates unique and engaging activities designed to target the progression of early-onset memory loss.
If your loved one displays dramatic personality or behavioral changes, this can be a telling sign the level of care they receive isn’t suitable anymore. Off-behaviors such as getting frustrated quickly, being increasingly argumentative, or complaining more, can hint at underlying issues, that often point to the senior needing more devoted care in certain areas of their life.
A common reason for seniors experiencing mood changes may stem from them developing cognitive issues, such as memory loss or dementia. Providing appropriate care is always the community staff’s top priority, however, assisted living staff may not be trained properly on how to handle sudden changes or outbursts. In early-stage dementia care communities, such as the Bridges neighborhood in Marlton, NJ, staff is uniquely trained to respond compassionately and appropriately to residents’ behavioral changes or mood variations.
Recognizing when assisted living is no longer enough for your family member or loved one can be challenging. Beyond understanding the signs, you may be looking for more resources and concrete guidance for the next steps in improving your loved one’s senior care.
With dementia being the number one factor in seniors needing more help, knowing where to turn in the early stages of your loved one’s dementia, can make all the difference. To help you and your family determine the right path for the care of your loved one, we've created a comprehensive guide so you can discover the benefits of a dedicated early-stage memory care neighborhood. Download our free guide here!