7 Signs That Assisted Living Is Right for You

Nearly 90% of older adults over the age of 65 would prefer to remain in their homes as they age (according to a survey by AARP). Some older adults may live their aging-in-place dreams well into their seventies and eighties. But, as more and more candles appear on their birthday cake, they might begin to struggle with daily tasks. Maybe dressing themselves becomes an unbearable chore. Or maybe some are lonely without a social outlet beyond occasional visits from their loved ones. Others, however, might fall or forget to take their meds.

When issues arise, so do the questions. How do you know if assisted living is right for you?

1. You need help with the ADLs.

When you were younger, you hopped out of bed and into a hot shower, brushed your hair and teeth, and got into the rhythm of your day. Back then, you didn’t even think about it. You just did it! These basic actions, known as the ADLs (activities of daily living), comprise a big part of our day. From eating to bathing to getting out of bed, we all perform hundreds of ADLs before our head hits the pillow at night. Even walking falls into this category! If something as simple as brushing your teeth has become hard, it might be time to look into assisted living.

2. You’d like more social opportunities.

Making friends is hard at any age, but for seniors? It can feel downright impossible! Some older adults might feel lonely and crave a little friend time. Others might even become socially isolated. The CDC defines social isolation as a state “when a person does not have relationships or contact with others and has little to no social support.” Worse still, the CDC says that social isolation can increase your risk for:

• Early death
• Dementia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Suicidal ideation
• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Self-harm

Even if you don’t struggle with the ADLs, you might be a good candidate for an assisted living facility if you have few friends and no social outlet.

3. You want a stress-free lifestyle.

Nobody likes doing chores. Laundry can pile up all too quickly, and vacuuming the same rug over and over is tedious. Beyond tedious. Sure, you can always ask your friends and family to pitch in, but even they might struggle to keep up with all your chores. If you (and those close to you) are stressed, it might be time to look into assisted living. Not only will the staff take care of your laundry and do a little light housekeeping, but you won’t have to worry about who will mow the lawn or fix your leaky faucet either!

4. You’re struggling with nutrition.

Cooking requires ingredients, and ingredients require grocery shopping. For some seniors, going to the grocery store is more than a hassle. If you don’t have a car (or access to public transportation), then you might not be able to even go! And while you can contact Meals on Wheels or another meal service, you might want someone to make three home-cooked meals for you every day. Fortunately, assisted living facilities serve healthy, well-balanced meals that can make both your heart and your body happy. If you’re on a special diet, they can help with that, too!

5. Your doctor recommends it.

We put our trust in medical professionals, and while some doctors can steer us wrong, they usually know what’s best for us. So if your healthcare provider recommends assisted living to you, don’t just brush off their advice. If they tell you that assisted living might be a great choice for you, there’s definitely a reason they’re saying it! Even if you feel like you can take care of yourself now, you don’t know what the future holds. Your health needs might change as you age, even more quickly than you expect.

6. Your home isn’t safe anymore.

When you were younger and bought that beautiful, two-story home with a sprawling backyard and a gorgeous oak staircase, you probably didn’t think twice about it. But now you’re older. The backyard you once loved has become a nightmare, and that gorgeous oak staircase you once climbed with no problem? It’s ten cardio workouts and a headache all wrapped into one! You can always contact a CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) to make your house safer. However, that can cost thousands of dollars. Not ot mention, hours upon hours of renovation! It might be less expensive to sell your house and pool your resources into assisted living. While you might not want to trade your home for a one-bedroom apartment, the peace of mind you’ll get will make the trade-off worth it!

7. Your caregiver is burnt out.

Maybe a family member or trusted friend volunteered to be your full-time caregiver. And maybe the arrangement started beautifully. But now, your caregiver seems tired. Drained. They’ve sacrificed evenings with their own family to take care of you. In the back of your mind, you get the squirming sense that you’re a burden. That you’re expecting way too much of your loved one. They haven’t said they’re burnt out, but you can hear it in every weary sigh, see it in every dark circle and frown line. If your care needs have become far too great for one person to handle, it’s definitely time for you to start looking into assisted living. Don’t let one person’s burnout live on your conscience forever!

More Assisted Living Resources

Click here to find assisted living near you!

Get weekly tips on housing, retirement living, senior care, and more sent right to your inbox.