Senior Living News

1. Housework and Chores

Think about how well you or your loved one can keep up with everyday household chores and home maintenance, such as:

• Bathroom cleaning
• Cooking
• Dusting
• Laundry
• Making the bed
• Maintaining landscaping
• Mowing the lawn
• Painting
• Shoveling snow
• Trash removal
• Vacuuming

In addition to everyday responsibilities, consider what would happen if a problem arose, such as a power outage, roof leak or clogged toilet. Would you or your loved one be able to address the issue or call a professional for assistance with minimal stress?

Assisted living communities typically provide housekeeping and maintenance service. As a result, moving to one can be beneficial for anyone who no longer wants the ongoing hassles of having to maintain a home and doesn’t wish to worry about what they’ll do if something goes wrong.

2. Fall Safety

Every year, more than 1 in 4 seniors suffers a fall, and these accidents can result in serious injuries. Some signs that you or your loved one may be at risk for a fall include:

• Feeling unsteady while walking
• Needing to hold onto furniture when changing positions or walking
• Having to rush to reach the bathroom frequently
• Consistently needing to push down on a chair to move from sitting to standing
• Requiring a mobility aid, such as a walker or cane
• Struggling with steps, stairs or walking onto and off of curbs
• Losing feeling in the legs or feet
• Taking medications that cause lightheadedness or dizziness
• Having already suffered a fall

If you or your loved one is at a high risk for falls, you can make fall prevention modifications to the home. However, this can be costly and time-consuming. Moving to an assisted living community may be a better option. Most communities feature easy-to-navigate designs and offer built-in fall protection solutions, such as grab bars in bathrooms and handrails in hallways.

3. Independence

With age, many of us need a little extra help completing everyday tasks, such as:

• Dressing. It may be difficult to fasten buttons, pull zippers, put on shoes or take clothing on or off.
• Grooming. Some seniors may struggle with combing their hair, brushing their teeth and performing other grooming tasks.
• Bathing. Mobility issues may make it challenging to get into and out of the tub or to stay upright while showering.
• Eating. Tremors, limited finger dexterity and other issues may get in the way of eating.
• Toileting. Getting on and off the toilet or bending to wipe properly may prove challenging.
• Transferring. Older adults may need a helping hand moving from position to position, such as from standing up to lying down or from sitting to standing.

If you or your loved one requires help with one or more of these tasks, an assisted living community can provide that much-needed support. At the same time, staff strives to allow older adults to remain as independent as possible, delivering only the assistance required.

4. Impact on Caregivers

If you’re currently caring for your loved one, consider how the arrangement impacts you. It’s okay to admit you feel overwhelmed or are struggling to meet both your and your loved one’s needs.  In fact, around 60% of home caregivers experience signs of burnout, such as:

• Physical and emotional exhaustion
• Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, frustration or helplessness
• Withdrawing from family, friends and activities you enjoy
• Changes in appetite
• Difficulty sleeping
• Problems concentrating
• Suffering from frequent illnesses
• Irritability or moodiness

Relocating your loved one to an assisted living community can help relieve burnout and allow you to start simply enjoying the time you spend together. Even if you’re not experiencing symptoms of caregiver burnout, you may wish to discuss life at an assisted living community with your loved one if caring for them is interfering with your ability to work or meet your other obligations.

5. Physical and Emotional Needs

Moving to an assisted living community may be right for you and your loved one if you or they have unmet needs, such as:

• Health needs. Do you or your loved one need assistance managing a chronic condition, taking medications or getting to medical appointments? Has a medical provider recommended moving to assisted living?
• Physical needs. Are you or your loved one getting enough exercise?
• Nutrition. Are you or your loved one able to enjoy regular, well-balanced meals?
• Emotional and mental needs. Do you or your loved one experience boredom or loneliness?

Exploring Other Options

Assisted living communities are just one option available for seniors looking to downsize and live life among a community of older adults. Independent living can be a good choice for seniors who don’t yet need assistance with daily living tasks or daily health supports but still want to be free of the hassles of home maintenance and housekeeping. To learn more about independent living communities in Phoenix, AZ, contact LifeStream at North Phoenix senior living community today. We can schedule a visit and show you everything our community has to offer.