Getting old is not always easy, and the experience can very much vary from one person to another. When your elderly relatives start slowing down a little, you might find yourself on standby, wondering how much external attention or support they will need. If you are lucky, your loved ones will be able to cope alone and will continue to live an independent and healthy life for as long as possible.
If, however, life does not bless them with this luxury, then you might find that you need to discuss some care options with them. That being said, there are some great care options available that can offer your loved one a new lease on life and help elder live in care to their fullest, despite getting older.
Still how do you know when to start the conversation? Let’s get into it.
Your Relative Is Struggling on Their Own
If you find that your loved one can no longer do the things they used to do with ease, it might be time to implement some external help. Activities such as personal care and hygiene, cooking, and being able to go grocery shopping are all essential for a good quality of life.
If your loved one is unable to do these things for themselves anymore, then anything from at-home care to moving into a care facility such as Signature care home in Reigate could be a good option – depending on their wants and needs.
They Are Experiencing Dementia Symptoms
One of life’s cruelest experiences is dementia – for everyone involved. The cluster of symptoms can make it unsafe for someone to be left alone – sometimes at all – and can drastically affect their quality of life. If you find your relative is experiencing signs of dementia or has had a diagnosis, then, unfortunately, it is not something that can be cured (so far).
With this in mind, discussing care options sooner rather than later can be beneficial. You might find that there will be resistance to discussing options, but all you can do is use your best judgment to make the right call for your loved one – and making the right decision is much easier when they are still of sound mind enough to discuss the topic, so the earlier you talk about care with your relative, the better.
Their Safety Is in Question
Safety should be a number one priority for your elderly relative, and if you find that they could be a danger to themselves or others, now would be a good time to discuss care options.
Safety issues usually go hand in hand with dementia symptoms and diseases such as Alzheimer’s, so if your loved one is experiencing problems in that regard, you may well need to find somewhere that will be suitable for keeping them safe.
That being said, if you have a relative who is of sound mind but is prone to falls, for example, having a conversation about assisted living might be the next step, for peace of mind for your loved one and yourself.
Still, it is important to be open and honest in these conversations and listen to your relative’s point of view.
