Based on our research, 90% of seniors intend to age at home for the next 5-10 years. These individuals understandably want to maintain as much independence as possible. Unfortunately, the CDC currently estimates that 5.8 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This means that many seniors will require some sort of assisted living.
How do familial caregivers know if now is the time to hire a professional to assist their loved one? The following are qualifying questions caregivers are encouraged to ask themselves when considering assisted living for their family member:
Does your loved one require assistance with the activities of daily life?
If a loved one has difficulty with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and moving about on their own, personal care assistance may be necessary. The loved one’s stress can be reduced by removing their need to do daily chores such as laundry and house cleaning. Medication management is also a major concern. The CDC estimates that 350,000 people are hospitalized each year due to medication mismanagement. If an individual is worried that their loved one may forget their medication or misread the instructions due to visual impairment, hiring a caregiver for peace of mind is encouraged.
Would your loved one benefit from more socialization?
According to a Michigan poll on healthy aging, more than half of older adults reported feeling isolated. Senior isolation can lead to cognitive decline, weight loss, depression, and an increase in unhealthy habits such as smoking or drinking. The above can be avoided by setting loved ones up with a chance to engage with a social community. Clearday Clubs include scheduled programming that members can opt to enjoy with others in an environment designed to be peaceful and relaxing.
Does your loved one lack easy access to high-quality nutrition?
Many seniors do not have the energy or resources to grocery shop. It can also become a challenge to cook as they may lose coordination or motivation. By hiring assistance, familial caregivers can ensure that their loved ones have nutrient-rich meals and healthy snacks easily available to them.
If any of the above rings true for a familial caregiver and their elderly loved one, it may be time for assisted living. Here at Clearday, the happiness and health of the people we care for is our highest priority. We’re here to help. Learn how here.
By Clearday Research Team
This blog and related materials prepared by Clearday, Inc. may use publicly available information including market research, studies or reports by unaffiliated third parties that include market demographics and other relevant market or research information. Such information or a link to such information is available upon request. We do not warrant any such information and do not have information that causes us to believe that any such market research, studies or reports are not correct in all material respects.