For seniors, change can be challenging. 

From a new routine to new faces, it isn’t always easy for older adults to get used to new things. That’s why, for many, the thought of moving into an Assisted Living community can be a daunting proposition. 

Whether they’re worried about the move, the new space or simply the change itself, there are a lot of factors that can lead seniors to avoid a move to Assisted Living even when it’s something that would greatly benefit their quality of life. 

That’s why it’s often key for family, friends and loved ones to help destigmatize the move into Assisted Living care, where seniors can have their needs met and their lifestyle restored. In fact, once they take the plunge, many seniors wish they had moved into Assisted Living sooner! 

But how do you know it’s the right time for Assisted Living? 

To help understand how Assisted Living can help, here are five signs that may be an indicator that it’s time for you or your loved one to consider a move: 

Difficulty With Household Tasks 

For many older adults, household tasks and chores around the home are an enjoyable part of their day or even point of pride. 

So when those tasks begin to be challenging for you or a loved one to keep up with, or start to be neglected altogether, it may be a sign that it's time to consider Assisted Living. 

Whether it’s taking care of the lawn, preparing meals, cleaning up around the house or keeping up with recurring bills, the demands of home ownership can be a real challenge, both physically and mentally. And nearly 18 million older adults report needing help with daily activities. 

When these tasks start to go from an enjoyable source of pride to a stressful reminder that things aren’t as easy as they used to be, it can be a demoralizing experience. And jobs that used to take a few minutes after dinner can become all-day commitments. 

With Assisted Living, you don’t just get help in completing these tasks, you remove their necessity, allowing you or your loved one to get back to fun activities, focus on time with friends and loved ones, and remove that stress. 

Struggling With Medication and Appointments

As we age, many of us begin having more medications, appointments and ailments to keep track of. And whether it’s making sure you take your pills at the right time or keeping track of when you were supposed to make an appointment with your doctor, all of those medical tasks can be a lot to maintain. 

But unlike household chores — where forgetting to clean the house just means you have a dirty room — the downside to neglecting medication or medical appointments can be significant. 

Research has shown that more than 50 percent of seniors skip medication doses or don’t take their medications as prescribed. A lack of medication adherence is one of the most serious risk factors for older adults, and it doesn’t get any easier as the years go on. 

Moving to Assisted Living can help ensure that medication plans are adhered to, help transport residents to medical appointments and more, ensuring that their health is a priority and taking another element off of their minds. 

Increased Isolation

Just as social experiences are important to the development of children or to adults’ mental health, socialization is critical for seniors who are maintaining their health. In fact, studies have shown that social participation has a variety of health benefits. 

But as we get older, putting ourselves in those social situations becomes more challenging. 

Whether it’s finding a community or just traveling to meet up with people, socializing isn’t as easy for older adults. And for many seniors, it’s easier to suffer in silence and go without, rather than going through the trouble and effort required to get to a social setting. 

Assisted Living not only frees up time and energy by taking other tasks off of seniors’ plates, an Assisted Living community can provide both people to spend time with and activities to enjoy. 

For instance, 10 Wilmington Place offers a variety of activities, from musical performances and Wii Bowling to trivia nights and special events. These activities aren’t just a distraction for those who are bored — they’re an integral part of staying physically and mentally active and healthy. 

Loss of Interest in Hobbies

From collecting stamps and watching sports to fishing and assembling puzzles, many of us develop hobbies and interests that last a lifetime. That’s why it can be concerning to watch a loved one stop enjoying the things they used to love — or even to feel yourself losing your own passion for an activity. 

There are a variety of reasons that could be causing that lack of interest — from mental health struggles to physical discomfort. But regardless of the reason, a great Assisted Living community can get you or your loved one back to the activities they used to enjoy. 

Often, simply being around other people enjoying that hobby is enough to reignite the spark. Maybe you used to love playing chess and haven’t played a game in years. But when you walk into the activity room to see several people gathered around tables, it’s much easier to remember what you used to love about the game. 

And when you’re in a fun and active community like 10 Wilmington Place — which hosts events ranging from movie night and walking club to dog visits and bingo — it’s easy to discover a new hobby you never even knew you loved. 

Neglecting Self Care

Too often, people assume that older adults who begin to stop caring for themselves are just “prioritizing others” or simply no longer care about impressing others. But these signs can be indicative of bigger issues. 

When seniors begin to stop taking care of themselves, their health and their space, it’s a cause for concern. Some people notice a decline in their loved one’s personal hygiene in a way they haven't seen before. This can come in conjunction with red flags like refusal to take medication or signs that they can no longer take care of their home. 

Studies show that seniors who are self-neglecting have twice the mortality rate of those who aren’t. And whether the reason for that self-neglect is physical, mental or health-related, an Assisted Living community with qualified caregivers can help pick up the slack, improve your loved one’s mood and turn these habits around. 

If you’re ready to see what a difference 10 Wilmington Place’s Assisted Living community could make, schedule a tour with us online today, or call (937) 253-1010 to speak with a Sales Counselor who can answer questions and set up a personalized lunch and tour.

We can’t wait to meet you!