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Guest Blog by AzPHA Member Lydia Chan
It’s perfectly normal for seniors to want to stay in their own homes, and being a caregiver can help your loved one do that for a while. But there is only so much you can do, and the time may come when staying at home is no longer best. Even if you aren’t sure when exactly the right time will be, you can open the conversation and work towards guiding your loved one through these decisions with these tips from the Arizona Public Health Association.
Starting the Conversation
For many families, starting this conversation is the hardest part. Ideally, this should be an ongoing conversation, but it helps to bring it up in relation to something they’re going through that’s worrisome to you. Let them know why you’re concerned, but be prepared to listen to how they feel, too.
It also helps to start doing some research so you can show your loved one some options. This doesn’t mean you’re deciding for them. In fact, Reader’s Digest explains the importance of your loved one being involved in making a decision for themselves.
For example, during the conversation, you and your loved one may decide that staying at home is the best option. This can be due to a number of factors, including the current condition of your loved one’s health, how much you can afford to spend on care, and the decision to stay close to your loved one. When it comes to in-home care, keep in mind that not all in-home caregivers are licensed or certified, so be sure to research services that hire these professionals. You’ll also need to research whether your loved one is qualified for Medicare coverage for in-home care. If they don’t meet the qualifications, you’ll have to find other means of paying for their care. Some long-term care (LTC) insurance policies will cover in-home care. But LTC insurance can be costly, depending on the age of the insured when the policy was purchased.
If both you and your loved one decide to look into assisted living, you can use an online search tool to find out what’s available where you live. You can even tailor your search by filtering for things like the type of room they offer, amenities, and other features. Of course, cost is a major factor in ultimately making a decision, too. To pay for assisted living, you may need to dig into your loved one’s savings or even sell their home (research Phoenix home prices to get a better idea of the value of their home). With cost and other features in mind, you and your loved one can then pick a few places to visit and ask the staff questions to get a feel for which one may be the best fit.
Knowing When the Time is Right
There may not be an answer that’s crystal clear, but when you start to notice concerning actions, health problems, or signs around your loved one’s home, this combination of factors may mean the time is right.
Mental Health and Memory
● Do you see indications that your loved one is struggling with poor mental health? Many of the symptoms of depression, such as fatigue and loss of interest in life, are somewhat common with aging. However, this doesn’t mean that depression is normal, and having the resources of an assisted living community often helps seniors find a new purpose in life.
● Do they have a hard time or not want to get out of the house anymore? Senior isolation is a major risk factor for depression, and it can have serious negative health effects.
● Do you have concerns about your loved one’s memory? A decline in memory is normal for seniors, but when someone starts to show signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s, there may be a bigger issue at hand.
Health and Well-being
● Have you noticed a decline in hygiene or appearance that may indicate they aren’t caring for themselves as well as they should? Some seniors have a difficult time preparing meals and will end up losing weight and potentially even becoming malnourished. Aside from weight loss, signs of malnutrition may include muscles becoming flaccid and a yellowing of the skin.
● Has your loved one fallen? Psychology Today explains why falling is a serious concern for senior citizens that can have major consequences.
● Does your loved one have worsening health conditions or a hard time managing their medications?
Around the Home
● Does your loved one seem to be ignoring general housekeeping? If their home is no longer as clean or orderly as before, this may be a sign of mental decline or a physical struggle with maintaining a home.
● Does your loved one forget regular responsibilities, like opening mail and paying bills?
The reality is that just one of these concerns probably isn’t enough to mean the time is right. In most cases, it’s a combination of factors, which start to add up over time. What matters most is that your loved one is safe, healthy, and happy. When the time comes, the right assisted living center can be the solution that provides for these essential needs.
The Arizona Public Health Association is dedicated to protecting and improving the health of Arizona’s citizens. Become a member today!