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Is Assisted Living Right for Your Parent? 10 Questions to Ask

Is mom or dad struggling with the basic daily tasks, such as getting dressed in the morning or managing their medications? Is it becoming more of a challenge for them to prepare healthy meals or keep up with the laundry and housekeeping?

These can all be signs that it might be time for assisted living.

Families searching for additional help may find themselves considering which of the following solutions might be best:

• Devoting more hours as a caregiver
• Bringing in the services of a home care agency
• Inviting their parent or parents to move in with a family member
• Finding the right assisted living community to make their new home

Is assisted living right for your parent?

The correct solution for your parents and family will depend on the specific needs and preferences of your mom or dad, and those in the family currently overseeing or providing care.

But how do you know if an assisted living community could be the right option? The answers to these 10 questions can help make the best decision.

10 questions to ask about assisted living

An assisted living community can not only provide a helping hand but also greatly contribute to a better quality of life. From socialization to healthy dining and a care team available 24/7 there are many benefits of mom or dad making the move into a senior living community.

1. Does your parent need more help with daily tasks?

Could your mom or dad use assistance with bathing, dressing or managing a household? Is it starting to become harder for your family to juggle ensuring your parents wellbeing and also their own responsibilities?

How assisted living can help: Assistance is there when needed provided by a 24/7 care team. The care team is able to assist with activities of daily living (ADL). This could mean anything from getting ready for bed, getting dressed in the morning, and many other tasks.

2. Is their house becoming less accessible?

Most homes were not built with aging in mind. Your parent’s house may require expensive or extensive renovations to make it more age-friendly.

How assisted living can help: Your parent will enjoy having their own apartment that is specially designed to be more accommodating. And they won’t find any accessibility barriers in their private apartment or community. Your parent will be able to bring important items from furniture to pictures to make their apartment feel just like home!

3. Is your parent struggling to prepare healthy meals?

Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for both physical and mental fitness. But the challenges can cause an older adult to substitute snacks or skip meals altogether.

How assisted living can help: Most residents love not having to plan, shop, prepare and cook meals. They appreciate choosing from a wide menu selection and enjoy delicious and nutritious meals.

At Northbridge, all of our residents enjoy meals from our Eat Fresh, Eat Local menus. Our Culinary teams work hard to ensure that residents enjoy seasonal foods from local farms and vendors year-round.

4. Is your parent’s mobility challenges causing them to be less engaged in life?

It is crucial to stay engaged in daily life but older adults often find it more difficult if there are mobility, scheduling, or transportation issues.

How assisted living can help: Communities take care of everything for their residents. They create a monthly activity calendar with enough options to appeal to everyone. Everyone, no matter their age, has a desire to feel connected to the greater community. Engagement opportunities in assisted living provide the opportunity for residents to learn, grow, give back and more!

5. Is your parent still able to socialize with friends?

Due to some of life’s circumstances, friendships may become fewer as adults grow older. But the need for interaction has never been more important to their health.

How assisted living can help: It couldn’t be easier for your parent to meet and make new friends. Communities offer social events and opportunities for getting together with neighbors and other residents to make finding friendship at any age easy.

6. Is your parent exercising and keeping physically fit?

Remaining in shape is important no matter your age but it can become more of a challenge as you grow older. Having the equipment, easy access to classes and the right guidance is not always possible when living at home.

How assisted living can help: Most communities offer a fitness center or classes intended for staying active after retirement, so your parents can more successfully meet their wellness goals. Choosing activities that include others also provides the social benefits – and is more fun.

At Northbridge, our residents favorite exercise classes are Barre Balance and Tai Chi! Our associates are certified to lead these classes, keeping everyone engaged, happy and safe.

7. Is your parent remaining emotionally healthy?

It’s critical that your parent take steps to keep themselves mentally healthy just as they do physically. Unfortunately, isolation can become a higher risk as we grow older.

How assisted living can help: You’ll never have to worry about your parent suffering from loneliness or isolation if they move into a community. There are opportunities to interact with others and several activities that promote healthy brain exercises. Check out our blog to understand the difference between loneliness and social isolation.

Staff in an assisted living community get to know the residents and make sure they are active and engaged in community life. They also learn what programs mom or dad will enjoy and are sure to ask them to attend.

8. Could your parent use help with home maintenance?

It only becomes more difficult to keep up with a home as you grow older.

How assisted living can help: One of the benefits residents say they enjoy the most is no longer having to provide upkeep on their home. No more worries about repairs and maintenance, shoveling snow or mowing the grass.

Maintenance departments within an assisted living community do a great job of ensuring residents enjoy a maintenance free lifestyle. This means they are available to help with small fixes or larger tasks.

9. Is your parent able to drive or have access to other transportation options?

No longer driving or beginning to drive less is common as we grow older. Unfortunately, that can also restrict our independence and freedom of interaction with others.

How assisted living can help: There are so many activities and opportunities offered on-site when you live in a community, but your parents will also find scheduled transportation to medical appointments, shopping and entertainment.

10. Does your parent feel safe living at home alone?

They may not mention it but older adults often begin feeling more worried or anxious about living alone.

How assisted living can help: The community is typically secured with either personnel or an alarm system. There may be personal alarms as well. Your parent will be reassured to know that they are never alone if they need help.

Do you think that your parent could benefit from life at an assisted living community? We invite you to learn more about Northbridge and find a community near you!