Signs It's Time To Think About Assisted Living
The thought of growing old can be worrisome when you live alone. You could get into trouble if you fall and can't get up or if you get too sick to take care of yourself. An alternative that can give you peace of mind is assisted living at a place like All Care Hawaii. Being around other retirees and knowing someone is looking out for you improves your quality of life. You don't have to wait until you're unable to take care of yourself before moving into one of these facilities either. Moving in sooner can help you stay independent and active for longer. Here are some signs it is time to consider making the move.
You're Fearful Of Being Alone
Fear is one thing that makes it miserable to be alone. You might be afraid because you have mobility problems or health issues. You may even be afraid of intruders or strangers coming to your home. If your spouse recently died, you might just be afraid of being alone after dark. Moving into an assisted living facility can eliminate this problem. You'll be living around other seniors your age in a place that is secure so you won't have to worry about crime or intruders. Plus, someone will always be close by in case you fall or get sick. While you can live in your own apartment and be as alone as you like, you'll still have the security of knowing staff is immediately available if you need help.
You're Losing Weight
Any time you lose weight without trying, it could signal a problem, but it is even more worrying when you get older. As you age, your sense of smell and taste diminish. This could put a damper on your appetite. Plus, you may not feel like cooking or going to the store to get nutritious food. One important factor to staying healthy as you grow older is to maintain your muscle mass, and you need to eat a healthy diet in order to do that. If you're having a hard time keeping weight on because you don't eat as well as you should, then moving into an assisted living facility could be the solution. You can find a place that serves meals in a common dining area so you don't have to worry about cooking. A nurse or dietitian can monitor your diet and your weight to make sure you're eating healthy foods and maintaining the best weight for your age and health.
You're Taking Several Medications
Medication errors are a common problem with senior citizens, especially when you have to take several different drugs each day. If you don't take your medications properly, you could have adverse health effects because of it. Your blood pressure could rise if you miss your blood pressure medication or your sugar may get too high. Taking too many doses is a problem and so is missing a dose. If you're noticing you can't remember if you took your pills or not, it's best to let your doctor or someone else know right away so you can find a solution for managing your drugs. The best answer may be assisted living so you'll always have someone to make sure your pills are taken on time every day.
You're Having Memory Problems
You can have memory problems even if you don't have Alzheimer's disease. Mild problems with your cognition could make it dangerous for you to live alone. You might leave a stove burner turned on or forget to lock the front door. If you have been diagnosed with a progressive neurological condition such as Alzheimer's disease, then moving into an assisted living facility will keep you safe, active, and independent for as long as possible. Plus, being around other people and having fun may stimulate your brain to keep it active and to ward off depression that can further muddle your thinking.
An assisted living facility can also relieve you of the expense and burden of maintaining your yard and house. You can spend your days socializing and participating in recreational activities rather than worrying about being alone or worrying about maintenance chores that keep falling further behind.