Thousands of elderly need personal care services Toronto at some point. But seniors want to keep their independence, just like everyone else. So, there are a lot of things to think about when looking for a retirement community or assisted living in Toronto for yourself or a loved one.
As your parents or other loved ones get older, you’ll have to help them decide where to live. One of the most popular ways for seniors in Toronto to get help at home is through assisted living. Assisted living communities near me are places to live for people who need help with daily tasks like cooking and bathing but don’t need much medical care every day.
When is it time to put a family member in assisted living?
Putting a loved one in an assisted living facility can be hard on everyone, but sometimes the most challenging part is knowing when it’s time to do it.
A broken hip or a sudden change in health may help make a decision faster, but most of the time there isn’t one clear sign. But there will be signs that can help you figure out if you should move.
1. Health problems that deteriorate
If your health is really bad, you might want to move to an assisted living community or a nursing home. Also, if they take longer to get better after getting sick or hurt, this could mean that their immune system is getting weaker. They might need more care soon.
If you’re worried, talk to their doctor. Their health might improve if they get full-time care in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility. It is important to have your loved one involved in the decision-making process.
2. Isolation
Like not taking care of yourself, being alone is a risk factor for dying young. Older people who live alone, have trouble hearing, or can’t move around quickly may feel alone because of their circumstances. Seniors might also choose to be alone, but the results are the same.
Isolation is also linked to memory loss, long-term illnesses, and dementia. Health problems like high blood pressure, cancer, and heart disease have been linked to it.
Experts say that being alone, not caring about hygiene, not eating well, living in bad conditions, and hoarding are all signs of isolation.
3. Recent falls
Frequent falls are another sign that someone needs home care services in Toronto to live independently. Seniors often have trouble moving around, and there are many places in the house where they could fall.
If someone you care about recently fell and you’re worried they might not be able to get up or call for help, it might be time to look into assisted living, where they can be watched.
4. Changes in Hygiene
If you’ve noticed changes in your loved one’s personal hygiene, like a foul body odor, greasy, untidy hair, or dirty fingernails that are too long, broken, or jagged, this is a cause for concern. Self-neglect could be the cause of bad hygiene. Self-neglect is when people can’t take care of themselves because of a physical or mental illness or a lack of ability.
There are also other signs of self-neglect, such as:
- Refusing to take medications or not taking care of them well
- Symptoms of losing weight, being hungry, or being thirsty
- No food, not enough food, or food that has gone bad in the house.
- Living conditions that are not clean
- Mail and notices that haven’t been opened
- Utilities that don’t work or have been turned off
If you see any warning signs, you should consider how to help. The elderly are more likely to die young if they don’t care for themselves. People over 65 who don’t take care of themselves are half as likely to die as those who do.
5. Poor Eating Habits
If someone can cook, they will probably eat better than they used to.
Good nutrition is important for keeping your mind and body in good shape. When they move into a long-term care facility, they will get regular, healthy meals that are made with their needs in mind.
6. Problems with doing daily tasks
Can the person you care about a cook on their own? Can they clean their clothes? If not, think about full-time care. Having your loved one live in a place that takes care of things like cooking and cleaning can give them more time to spend with friends or do the things they love.
7. Getting worse at driving
If they can’t get around alone, consider whether they can use public transportation or ride-sharing. If none of these options is available, they could remain mobile without risk by residing in an assisted living community that provides transportation to and from doctor’s appointments and social events.
8. Unable to care for the home
Do the dishes get done, and do the bathrooms get cleaned regularly? If someone you care about cannot keep up with housework, an assisted living facility may help them feel less stressed and provide a cleaner environment.
Even though they might like owning a home, they might not be able to care for it well enough. Ask them if they’d rather live somewhere where they don’t have to worry about repairs and maintenance.
9. Changes in mood or being more aggressive
Aggressive behaviour could be a sign of confusion or dementia, which could mean they need to move to a place where they can get help. Some of these places and skilled nursing homes have unique places for people with dementia to get care.
10. Gets lost or confused outside of the house
Have you seen someone you care about leaving their house without knowing where they’re going? A common sign of dementia is wandering. Talk to your loved one and their doctor if the problem persists. People with dementia often do better when they live in an assisted living Toronto facility with a memory care unit. This is because the team was made to make their lives safer and to help them feel less anxious and confused.
11. The current caregiver is burnout.
Caring for someone is physically and emotionally challenging work. If you or another family member are taking care of your loved one full-time, it may be hard for the caregiver to do a good job. If that’s the case, your loved one might do better in a place where they can get help.
Bottom line: Is it time for assisted living?
It’s hard to accept that someone you love needs full-time care. It can also be hard to accept that you can’t give them the care they need. Talk to your elderly loved one about their housing options if you’re worried about their safety, health, or happiness. Include their doctor and a financial advisor in your discussions with them so that you can learn about all of their senior living options.
If a loved one lives with you and needs full-time help, you can give yourself a break by using personal care services Toronto or assisted living in Toronto.
