You’re Not Alone.

Millions of Americans devote time and energy to caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, in fact over 15 million.  And over time as things progress, the cost of caregiving may become very high. Family members and friends often find themselves unable to bear the burden of providing home health care without wearing too thin and suffering in the end themselves. It may be time to consider whether to move an elderly loved one into an assisted living home if their health and physical needs become too much to handle at home. We know it’s never an easy decision to move a family member. So here are some signs that you can look for to help you recognize when it’s the right time to make the move for their wellbeing.

Is the senior’s home safe?

Consider your senior family member’s mental and physical health. Are they truly safe in their home as a person with dementia? Do they have physical limitations which make their life hard for them such as getting dressed, taking their medications, getting to the shower and back to their bedroom or favorite chair?

It’s a tough family conversation to have but if your loved one’s physical abilities have deteriorated to the point that they are in danger and you taking care of them also puts you at risk, talking about moving them into an assisted living situation that will give you peace of mind because they aren’t constantly at risk and you are not putting yourself in jeopardy either is a great investment for all of you.

Does your aging loved one get easily agitated or more often?

Does your Mom or Dad get more agitated as the day progresses especially pronounced later in the day? This is a common characteristic of those with Alzheimer’s, called “Sundowner’s Syndrome”. The outbursts and fights that can come because of this can take a heavy toll on you, and when it begins to severely disrupt family routines, this may be a sign that the caregiving burden is becoming too much to bear. Aggression frequently happens in those with dementia, and caregivers or other family members may suffer or begin to feel resentful. If it’s damaging your family, it may be time to consider assisted living placement.

Does your loved one wander off?

Does your Mom or Dad wander off? In the later stages of dementia, the risk posed by wandering becomes much greater and the probability of falls and injuries increases as well. Many families remark how they weren’t gone for very long at all and came back to find Mom or Dad lost in the garage, outside, or gone and they have to file a missing person’s report and a search gets underway. If they’re wandering off or getting lost, it’s probably time to talk about assisted living for their safety.

Are you worn out and depleted from caregiving?

The emotional, mental and physical toll of caregiving can be particularly pronounced for husbands and wives of those who need care as well.  Whether it is your Mom or Dad, your Wife or your Husband, we know that talking about them living somewhere else is never easy, and may cause feelings of grief and guilt. Know that you are not alone, as this is very common when undertaking the tough decision to place a loved one in another home. Many people remark that they lose their loved ones twice, once to the disease process, and then when they pass away. As a caregiver, it can be difficult just to find enough time to care for your loved one, and so you let your own needs fall to the wayside. But staying healthy is one of the best things you can do to provide the support your loved one needs, so moving them to an assisted living home may be the healthiest choice for both of you.

We’re Here For Seniors, And You.

In light of all this, we feel our small, residential assisted living homes are the perfect and loving choice for those who want their loved one to be able to live in a home as close to what their normal home life would be like. One that’s really a home, unlike those large facilities. Our homes are just that—homes, not institutionalized facilities in which everyone is forced to operate on the same schedule. With smaller populations and a low resident-to-caregiver ratio, we’re able to allow each resident freedom and provide individualized care. Our experienced staff members care deeply about the well-being of our residents and take pride in maintaining a high standard of living for all.

When staying in an existing home becomes too demanding, difficult, or dangerous, Avendelle provides seniors a safe place that’s as close to home as possible. We’ve invested in the safety equipment and response procedures for both ambulatory and non-ambulatory assisted-living residents. All of our residential assisted-living homes are equipped with fire sprinkler systems and electronic medical record systems. For aging seniors, being safe can also mean having someone notice the first signs of a new problem. Our incredible, knowledgeable assisted-living caregivers get to know each resident’s routines and patterns. They’re always paying attention so that no change in mood, health, or sleep goes unnoticed.

If it’s time to talk about moving your loved one to assisted living, we’re here for you. We’d love to meet you and give you a tour. Email Us Or Request A Tour Here: http://www.avendelle.com/contact-us/

Call Us Today: 866-971-8095