When it comes to assisted living, sooner is better than later.
A Q & A with Carillon Oaks’ Stuart Coleman
Q: Typically, when do families decide to seriously look into assisted living or memory care?
A: Every family’s situation is different, but there tends to be one common denominator: the decision to make a move often follows a concerning event.
When there’s been a fall, an injury, or some other scare, that’s often when families come in.
Q: Other than preventing an unexpected event like that, is there more to be gained by making the move sooner?
A: There’s a lot to be gained in most cases. Such events are often caused by a period of decline in health, social life, or diet. Typically, the sooner we can get someone into a healthier situation, the greater the improvement we can see.
Q: Is there a rule of thumb for knowing when it’s time?
A: A physician’s opinion can be extremely helpful, as can an honest and proactive look at the situation by family members. But as a rule of thumb, it’s never too early to at least start the conversation. Even if you conclude that assisted living or memory care isn’t beneficial yet, it’s not a waste of time. It’s an opportunity to discuss your loved one’s wishes and concerns in a positive, proactive context.
Q: What are some of the benefits of making a move sooner rather than later?
A: There are many areas where we can make a significant impact early on, such as diet and nutrition, exercise, and activity. These aspects can become harder to monitor and enjoy over time. When professionals can tailor meals and activities to your loved one’s needs, the benefits can be tremendous.
Q: What about socialization?
A: It becomes more important and more challenging over time to ensure a social community that caters to your loved one’s interests and sense of engagement. Equally important is balancing those healthy outlets with proper rest. The impact on quality of life with constant social opportunities and engagement is significant, especially when addressed early on.
Q: What other health and quality-of-life implications are important in making the “when” decision?
A: The health and quality of life of the caregiver are extremely important. When children begin to take on the care of their parent, they often don’t realize the effect on their own health and overall wellness. Caring for the person who once cared for you is uniquely challenging and can take a tremendous toll on your mental and physical health. That, in turn, can negatively impact the very person you’re caring for.
Q: So when does a caregiver know it’s time?
A: Their own exhaustion is often a good sign and best caught early. The loved one benefits tremendously when their child or other caregiver can visit them in an atmosphere where things are taken care of. The focus shifts back to the quality of the time spent together, and that can have a huge impact on everyone.
Q: Are there other specific signs that it might be time?
A: Other signs to look for include the loved one’s increasing difficulty with daily needs. For instance, if they’re not changing clothes regularly or having trouble accessing the toilet, shower, or tub. Changes in diet are also important: is your loved one skipping meals or not drinking enough water? Are they forgetting to take and refill medications or dispose of expired drugs? Changes in social life, memory, keeping up with household chores and finances, or a marked increase in the loved one’s level of worry are all good reasons to begin the conversation and move toward making a proactive, informed decision and an overall healthy move.