Over the holidays, many adult children get the chance to return home with their families for a traditional family Christmas or Hanukkah with Mom and Dad. It's also the time when many grown children discover that Mom or Dad living at home isn't working, and it's time to do something about it.
Living alone at home can be difficult for older Americans. A big part of an older person's wellbeing is their emotional state. If you think your loved one is struggling, there are a few things you can look for. Often, elderly residents who live at home don't get out as much as they should and have limited interactions with other people. Another indicator might be forgetfulness, confusion, or a lack of attention to things. If Mom's usually neat home is looking scattered and disorganized, it can also indicate that something is going on.
A noticeable weight change or change in appearance can also be a sign. It can cause concern if Mom or Dad has lost a significant amount of weight during the past year. If you suspect something is afoot, take a look in the refrigerator. One indication of the need to move a parent can be finding little or no food, or moldy food, in the fridge. If you notice food way beyond the sell date, that could signify difficulty getting out and about, a lack of desire to do so, or it could be signs of forgetfulness.
Mobility is another worry. How are they getting around the home? It's one thing to need a little assistance for shopping and errands around town, but not getting around the house for tasks like laundry, doing dishes, lawn upkeep, and bathing can lead to things appearing to be in disarray. For some, tasks as simple as getting in and out of bed or up and down in a chair can be complex. Mobility and balance are essential because a fall often leads to more severe injuries, like muscle or tendon tears, broken bones, concussions, or worse.
How to Know When It's Time
It isn't easy to pinpoint precisely when it's time to move your loved one into an assisted living community. An older person's physical and mental state can decline quickly and often catch families off-guard. Adult children who find themselves in this situation often have a difficult conversation with their parents about getting help in the home or moving to an assisted living community Communities like Premier Senior Living Group provide independent living for seniors, assisted living, memory care, and help guiding families through the move-in process and transition to community living.
The new year is a great time to consider a move. The holidays just ended, and it's an excellent time to relocate on the heels of "one last holiday" at home. As the new year begins, it's a beautiful time to refocus on priorities and make a plan for the coming year that makes sense. At an assisted living community, guests have the freedom to live their life the way they want while receiving the help they need. And wintertime is one of the best times to do it.
8 Reasons Why a Winter Move Benefits Your Loved One
The new year is ideal for introducing your loved ones to the new, carefree lifestyle they'll be living. It starts with a helping hand at move-in time, packing and unpacking, and arranging your loved one's new space. Our team will be as hands-on or hands-off as needed during your loved one's move-in. Transitioning to an assisted living community can be a special time for families, and we don't want to interfere with that. We are always there to help in any way, but we'll also let families have a good deal of time to themselves. It helps the adjustment process.
Here are eight reasons why a winter move might benefit your loved ones.
1) Real Estate is Bonkers Right Now
The real estate market is at an all-time high in most places around the country, so this winter might be an ideal time for your loved one to sell their home. Single-family home prices have skyrocketed in the past two years, and the value of many homes is at an all-time peak. Like many that are owned by those in their 70s, 80s, and 90s, well-preserved older homes are commanding premium prices. Back in the day, selling your home was just enough (or just NOT enough) to float the bill at an assisted living community. That's not the case anymore!
2) Don't Lift a Finger
Reward your loved one with a relaxing start to the new year, and that includes no chores. Throw away the dust rag, mop, cleaning supplies, rake, and lawnmower - we have people to handle all that! Our team keeps PSL Group communities in tip-top condition from daily cleaning to more extensive deep cleans, so our guests don't have to lift a finger.
When it comes to meal prep, not only are there three regularly scheduled meals every day in our communities, but also there is constant monitoring of adequate amount of food consumed by the residents. We also have qualified and licensed nutritionists to make sure that each resident has adequate nutrition for their particular health needs.
3) There's No Heating Bill
Just like the song says, "Baby, it's cold outside," so it's crucial to stay warm. That means a pricey electric or gas bill every month. Many residents in the northeast are hit especially hard by Arctic blasts. The good news is where many of PSL Group's communities are located. (We're in Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.) When you stay with us, we pay the heating bill. And our communities are always cozy!
4) If It Breaks, We Fix It
The best thing is, when something breaks down, your loved one won't need to lift a finger. Our communities have a 24/7 on-call maintenance team to address any issues that may arise. So, when the furnace decides to stop working, your loved one won't notice anything. Moving to a community in the winter is the best time to warm up to the benefits of assisted living!
5) A Cure for Loneliness
The wintertime can be depressing – especially when you live at home alone. Short days, an early sunset, long nights, and bitter cold can leave you feeling helpless and isolated. Moving can brighten things up during this time, especially coming to a warm, well-lit facility that's lively in spots and perfectly quiet for relaxation in other parts.
6) Stop the Worries
This is probably the most essential service we provide: You don't have to worry anymore. We're here to help. Our knowledgeable team can take the lead for your loved one's health and ensure they receive the top-notch attentive care that they deserve. Our staff-to-resident ratio is one of the best in the business, and we don't overpack our communities or skimp on maintenance. That's not what we're about. We pride ourselves on being an industry leader that sets the standard in senior care, memory care, and assisted living.
7) 'I Don't Want Any New Friends.'
Trust us; we hear this one a lot. Seniors often can be bitter about a move to an assisted community, in particular the idea of being around new people. But that idea changes quickly when someone visits one of our facilities for the first time. At a PSL Group community, each resident has their own private space, where they can unwind and enjoy alone time. But there are also common areas and activities that are engaging and fun. We're in tune with our residents' likes and dislikes, and we cater our programs to keep them entertained. And yes, many, many beautiful friendships are formed.
8). Activities to Stay Active All Year
The new year can bring a positive change for Mom or Dad. Our communities give them something to look forward to all year long. There are programs, presentations, crafts, games, singalongs, live music, ice cream socials, happy hours, trivia contests, videos, and storytelling activities to enjoy – to name a few. Each of our senior living communities provides an organized and diversified program of individual and group activities, enabling our residents to engage in cultural, spiritual, physical, political, social, and intellectual activities both in the facility and the surrounding community.
Life at Premier Senior Living is meant to enrich the lives of our seniors by providing a comfortable, home-like environment with all the benefits of living in an active community. From concerts, holiday celebrations, and parties to trips to local restaurants and Nintendo Wii bowling tournaments – the residents of our senior communities are constantly invigorated with activities of their choosing.
For more information about a Premier Senior Living community, please call 800-380-8909
