Quite often there is a conversation had by many families--does my loved one need Assisted Living?

An Assisted Living is community living, usually an apartment building with staff available to help someone with a few ‘Activities of Daily Living’ tasks. Assisted Living settings will also have meal/cooking options, housekeeping services, and activity events to make your life more full.

Assisted Living is that step between living in your home independently, and needing care from a Nursing Home. Assisted Living bridges that gap between the two. Quite often Assisted Living is a great choice when the person is starting to have memory issues or a diagnosis of Dementia. The loving care of individuals working in Assisted Living can provide great direction and cues to someone just needing help with memory to find their room, to know when it is time to eat, to help them with medications, to help them find opportunity to socialize.

To live in Assisted Living, you should be able to do some things for yourself, like walking or getting around throughout the day (even if using a walker, cane, or wheelchair), dressing yourself (most of it with possibility of a little help), bathing (some assistance is alright, if needed). And you can leave the cooking and cleaning to the staff!

Tips to have that conversation with your loved one could include:

1. Let’s find a place that can do your housekeeping and cooking for you.
2. Let’s find a place where you live among friends so you can socialize with them.
3. Let’s find a place where it is secure, and you don’t have to worry about your safety.
4. Let’s find a place where you get help when you need it most but also allows you to continue to do the things you still can do for yourself.
5. Let’s find a place where you don’t have to worry about yard work or shoveling snow.
6. Reassure your loved one that this is a place to give you more supporting services, safety, socialization and an active lifestyle.

Talking to a loved one about moving to assisted living can be challenging. Approach them with empathy, choose the right time and place, and allow them to be involved in the decision-making process. Be sure to provide them with detailed information to address any concerns they may have. Continuous support and patience are essential throughout this transition so don’t be afraid to lean on the professionals who can help support YOU as well.