Belmont Village Quarterly Newsletter
on Senior Living

Is It Time For
Assisted Living?

At Belmont Village, we understand that making the decision to explore an assisted living or personal care community for a parent or loved one is a big step.  Knowing when and how to take that step can be a challenge.  Seniors don’t always realize or accept that they may need more help.  Many times family members are not aware that a need exists until a crisis occurs.  However, there are some common indicators that can help you know when it’s time to start thinking about senior living options for your loved one:

Difficulty with the activities of daily living:

• Wearing the same clothes repeatedly without washing
• Not bathing regularly--a change in personal hygiene
• Not bothering to cook and not eating regularly
• Unable to keep up with laundry and housekeeping
• Only using a few rooms of the house

Memory Loss:

• Forgetting to pay bills on time, or just not paying them at all
• Not taking medicines, or taking them improperly; not managing prescriptions appropriately
• Experiencing a loss of judgment—taking an illogical or out-of-character approach to problem solving

Social Isolation:

• Losing touch with friends
• No longer participating in favorite activities
• Avoiding social situations
• Showing signs of depression—excessive sleeping or crying

 Fear:

• Calling more frequently—may indicate that they no longer feel safe or confident in their world
• Afraid to be alone at night
• More dependent on family members
• Feeling that their neighborhood is not as safe as it used to be

Safety:

• Mobility issues that limit activities
• Problems with balance that lead to increased risk of falls
• Difficulty with toileting
• No one nearby to help if a fall or incident occurs

A respite or short term stay at a senior living community, either to allow more recovery time after a hospital stay, or just to introduce an older family member to the community’s lifestyle and support services, could be a good opportunity to evaluate your loved one’s needs and find the right solution for your family.

For more information about assisted living and respite stays at Belmont Village, please click here.

Please note, Belmont Village Senior Living of St. Matthews, located in Louisville, Kentucky, is a licensed personal care community.