Knowing when to switch from independent living to assisted living is a personal decision. The key is knowing how to initiate the conversation early on. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the need for assisted living has not disappeared. The pandemic has expanded the list of criteria to assess when auditing a care community, but for some seniors and their families, moving to assisted living is still the best option under these circumstances.
When older adults (or their carers) hear the words “assisted living,” the image that comes to mind is often an institutional facility that marks the end of the road—a cold place where seniors are supposed to spend the last few years of their lives. Aside from understanding exactly what ADLs and IADLs are and how important they are to aged care, there are general warning signs and indications that it might be time for assisted living. Independent living is ideal for individuals who are still able to live an independent lifestyle but could benefit from access to support when needed. A messy and smelling habitat may indicate that a senior may no longer be able to live alone.
If home maintenance, hygiene, and other daily living activities have become difficult for you or a loved one, it may be time to think about making the transition to assisted living. In general, seniors in assisted living are largely independent, but may need help brushing their teeth, taking their medication, taking a shower, or doing other daily living activities. On the other hand, there is only so much you can do to care for a senior in your family until they become overbearing and interfere with your ability to live a normal life. Assisted living communities offer help with medication management, bathing, and other day-to-day tasks that benefit both seniors and their caregivers.
The choice between independent living and assisted living usually depends on how well you can manage your daily activities without assistance. The maintenance-free lifestyle that seniors enjoy every day is one of the most valuable attractions of an independent residential community. The following are a few key reasons why you or your loved one should consider transitioning into independent living sooner rather than later. Assisted living facilities are similar to nursing homes in that there is 24-hour care, but usually patients in assisted living do not require as intrusive care as nursing home residents.
Usually, residents of independent communities do fairly well when it comes to ADL and IADL scores, meaning they don’t need too much medical attention. The best age to live independently varies from person to person, of course, but there are plenty of reasons why moving sooner rather than later is often the best decision you can make. While many seniors are still choosing to age at home, the myriad benefits of moving to senior living are driving more and more seniors to choose independent living in a Life Plan community, also known as the Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).
References:
- Moving to Assisted Living: 5 Ways to Know When It’s Needed – DailyCaring
- Independent Living vs. Assisted Living | Holly Hall
