Is it time to think about long-term care for my parents?

Planning for the future can be intimidating, especially if you’re planning for a loved one’s long-term care. It’s never easy to accept that someone you care for may need to form a nursing care plan. You may find yourself riddled with questions like, “How do I know what level of assisted living they need?” or “How do I recognize that they may need help?” While these questions may seem daunting, it is a necessary step to ensure your loved one receives the care they need. Here are some clues it may be time to think about long-term care options.

Increased episodes of forgetfulness

Most people deal with episodes of forgetfulness as they get older. You may notice things like frequently misplaced keys. However, frequent episodes of forgetfulness may be a sign of dementia. Look out for these signs in your loved ones and contact a doctor as soon as they become worrisome: 

• Lapses in memory of very recent conversations 
• Forgetting appointments
• Misplacing items in strange places
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Forgetting the names of people 

If you start to suspect forgetfulness may be becoming a problem, make a list of forgetfulness spells and their frequency; this can give you a layout of how pressing the issue may be. This information would also be helpful when meeting with your loved one’s doctor about forgetfulness. 

Failure to execute day-to-day activities

If your loved one seems to be losing track of regular everyday activities, this should require some attention. Day-to-day activities include: 

• Cleaning the house
• Keeping up with personal hygiene
• Making sure there’s fresh food in the refrigerator
• Eating enough food

Individuals who may qualify for assisted living may become lax on their usual responsibilities. If not tended to, it can lead to situations that may be harmful to their health. Being close to a loved one gives you insight into their daily routine. If you start to notice their daily routine is slipping, it may be a red flag that something more serious is going on.  

Declining physical health

As we get older, our bodies are often put to the test. As we age, we become more prone to accidental injury, and we are slower to recover. Our bones get weaker as do our joints, and this can lead to incidents like falling or bone fractures. If your loved one experiences several falls or appears to be declining in physical health, assisted living is most likely your best option. Here are some other signs to look out for:

• Bruises
• Frequent bone fractures
• Wounds that take a long time to heal
• Trouble keeping down food

Recognizing that your loved one may need increased care can be upsetting, but there is hope. Many skilled nursing facilities can provide the proper nursing care required to take care of your loved ones. We understand it is essential to find a nursing facility that will provide your family members with the warmth and care they deserve. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss how USA Healthcare can help with compassionate long-term care.