Exploring options for assisted living can be complicated. But perhaps the most complicated question of all is—when do you start?
It may be time to look for assisted living when you or your aging loved one are starting to find difficulties in everyday tasks; when an injury or condition creates safety concerns; or if you looking for more opportunities for connection and socialization. But these are far from the only considerations.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a type of senior living care where residents live as independently as possible while onsite caregivers are on hand to provide assistance with daily living activities. This type of living is ideal for older adults who find everyday tasks challenging. Things like:
- Moving around
- Bathing
- Preparing or eating meals
- Getting dressed
- Home upkeep
- Medication management
These difficulties may or may not be related to an injury, limitation or diagnosis. But sometimes, assisted living facilities have specialized programming to help with limiting conditions like:
- Diabetes
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Dementia
Signs the Timing is Right
When to start looking for assisted living can vary from family to family, but there are some common signs that signal the time is right to start the process.
Signs in Your Loved One
- You’ve noticed challenges in their mobility
- The house seems not as taken care of as it usually is
- Medications have been missed or are confusing
- They’ve lost weight recently
- They seem more lonely than usual
- They don’t seem interested in beloved hobbies anymore
- They rarely leave home
- They’re struggling with a diagnosis (diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia, etc.)
- They’ve had recent injuries or falls
- They live far away from help or support
- A medical professional has voiced concerns about safety
Signs for Yourself
- You live alone and are often feeling lonely
- You don’t have family close by
- A doctor or medical professional has suggested assisted living as an option
- You don’t have a desire to upkeep your home
- Daily tasks feel difficult
- Medications feel hard or confusing to manage
Benefits of Assisted Living
Assisted living offers peace of mind for families and engaging environment for seniors looking for help with everyday activities.
- Safety is always at the forefront. Onsite caregivers are available 24/7.
- Residents live as independently as possible in their own apartments.
- Apartments often include kitchenettes and a variety of floor plans—studio, one and two-bedrooms.
- Daily activity calendars foster connection and enrichment.
- Housekeeping and laundry are often included
- Meals are included
- Medications are managed and administered by professionals
What Families Say
“We wish we would have made the move sooner.”
“Mom is so much happier now.”
“The extra support and activities were just what Dad needed.”
At Legacy communities, we specialize in creating assisted living environments where residents and families feel truly supported. Since 1996, we’ve helped thousands of families determine whether now’s the right time for a move.
Because it can be confusing.
Individualized consultations with the experts at Legacy can help assess you or your loved one’s unique situation and determine the next best step for you. Whether it’s time for a move, or it’s further down the road, the Legacy team can help you explore the options right for you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is assisted living the only option?
No. Assisted living communities provide connection opportunities along with expert and personalized support with daily activities. If medical support isn’t needed, independent living may offer the right amount of maintenance-free living and social connection. If complex medical care is needed, skilled nursing communities (sometimes called nursing homes) may be a better fit.
How much do assisted living communities cost?
Costs vary for assisted living communities based on where you live and what services you need. Often, costs are based on monthly apartment rental and an additional monthly fee based on the amount of care/support needed. These monthly fees generally include all meals and snacks, home maintenance, social activities and more.
How do I talk to Mom (or Dad) about assisted living?
There’s a lot of nuances in approaching these types of conversations with your loved one. Start slowly and with open ended conversations to gauge how everyone’s feeling. Examples can go a long way in helping everyone feel more comfortable.
- Have you ever thought about senior living?
- What do you think about assisted living?
- Sue’s mom lives in assisted living now and is really loving it.
Knowing when the time is right to explore assisted living isn’t always a clear-cut answer. It may be time to start looking when you or your aging loved one needs support with a limiting condition or is in need of more social opportunities. But there are a lot of nuances.
We’re always here to help! The experts at Legacy Retirement communities understand the complexities of timing, costs, approach and more. We’re here to help you walk through the process to find a solution that makes sense for your family.