If you are reading this, chances are, you have been acting as a caregiver for your loved one. For one reason or another, you are questioning whether or not the care that they require exceeds your capabilities.
You are likely experiencing some degree of guilt or anxiety at the thought that care facility placement is a consideration. You are not alone.
This is one of the most difficult decisions that you will ever make. You may consistently find yourself going back and forth on what you should do – this is quite common.
The good news is, there are several signs that indicate it is time to consider assisted living placement. In this guide, we have outlined 5 of these signs.
- You’re Getting Caregiver Burnout
The first sign that it may be time for assisted living placement for your loved one is that you find that their care is becoming extremely burdensome.
Are you becoming worn down, tired, and frustrated at the amount of work that it takes to care for your loved one? Do you find that your loved one is becoming increasingly agitated at the amount of care that they need?
If your loved one is becoming less capable and depending more on you for their day-to-day needs, it is quite likely that care placement would be beneficial for you both.
- New Developments That Cannot be Controlled
In many instances, new situations may develop that are simply out of your control. In these instances, care placement is a necessity.
Examples include the onset of a severe illness in you or your loved one, either one of you becoming injured, your becoming hospitalized, your loved one needing to be placed in a hospital, or the development of dementia.
These are abrupt changes that may occur at any time. As a caregiver, you should constantly research facilities for placement because you may not have time should one of these out-of-control situations arise.
- Frequent Accidents
Has your loved one been experiencing accidents more frequently? There are many that may occur, but falls, slips, and trips are the most common.
Unfortunately, these are also the most damaging types of accidents. They can result in broken bones, infections, and other detrimental effects.
If accidents are occurring more regularly, it may be best to move your loved one to an assisted living facility where staff is always available and have the tools, knowledge, and resources to help and care for the individual.
- Personal Care is Difficult
Personal care tasks – such as dressing, bathing, toileting, and similar activities – naturally become more challenging as we age. If you find that your loved one is having issues caring for their personal care, assisted living may be ideal.
It is hard to dress, bathe, and care for someone. It takes a lot of strength and a lot of preparation. If your loved one is in an assisted living facility, the staff is trained to help them with their personal care tasks.
- Caregiver Stress
Caregiving comes with heavy psychological costs. According to psychiatric professionals, caregiving and the related decisions have the same effects as post-traumatic stress disorder.
If you start to experience avoidance behaviors, anxiety that is disabling you, intrusive thoughts, and hypervigilance, it is time to consider assisted living placement.
We Can Help
We here at Beacon Senior Advisors know and understand the complications that come with caregiving. We can help you determine if it is time for assisted living placement. If it is time, we will help you discover a care facility that is right for your loved one. For more information, you may contact us today by calling: 973-713-0096