Let’s look at 5 signs that could indicate your parent can’t live alone safely anymore

5 Signs Your Parent Can’t Live Alone Anymore

Overall Condition of the Home

If your parent always kept a clean and tidy home and suddenly does not, this is a good indication that something is wrong. This change in behavior could be caused by their physical capabilities diminishing, or a developing cognitive deficit that should be looked into right away. All humans are creatures of habit, and if your parent starts behaving differently than the person you’ve always known, it’s time to question the situation.

Neglecting to Pay Bills

If your mom or dad was always responsible about paying bills and that has changed, it could be a sign of trouble. While this situation could be affected by mobility issues, it is most likely an indication of a developing cognitive decline. If you notice your parent is not keeping up with their bills, have a gentle, non-confrontational conversation about it. Their explanation should shed light on what the issue seems to be.

Sudden Falls or Unexplained Injuries

One of the most common occurrences in the aging process is a diminished sense of balance and falling. If your parent tells you that they fell, but has some trivial reason why it happened, you’ll want to find out more. Learn exactly how and when the fall occurred. Ask if this was the first time or has happened previously.

In addition, if you discover unexpected bruising on your parent or other injuries, immediate action needs to be taken. Try and uncover the reasons why this is occurring and do all you can to make your parent feel comfortable talking about it. Everyone has their pride, and your mom or dad might be embarrassed about the topic. Assure them that you are only wanting to help keep them safe.

Unexplained Weight Loss    

Unexplained weight loss in a senior could indicate that they are not eating properly or not getting the daily nutrition they need. There could be many reasons for this, such as inadequate meal preparation, forgetting to eat, or they might be sick and not even know it. Monitor your loved one’s daily intake of food, and if they are losing weight which cannot be explained, seek medical attention right away.  

Change in Physical Hygiene

One of the most common signs of a person who should no longer live alone is a sudden decline in physical hygiene habits. Not bathing, brushing teeth or wearing clean clothes could be a sign of a senior with mobility issues.

However, this could also be a strong indication of cognitive decline. Keep a close eye on your parent’s ability to groom themselves and should a conversation be needed, do it in a loving and compassionate manner. This topic can be extremely embarrassing for them, and could invoke a harsh reaction if handled improperly.

When Aging Parents Can’t Live Alone, Frontier Senior Living is Here to Help

For many seniors, the ability to live independently and safely is a matter of pride and the way to maintain their independence. If you notice any of these 5 signs of your parent not being able to live alone safely, be sure to speak up about it. It’s only natural to not want to “rock the boat” when it comes to your relationship with mom and dad, but postponing addressing the issue could be extremely detrimental to their long term well-being.

The highly knowledgeable, experienced, and compassionate team at Frontier has helped many families find a way to keep their loved ones healthy and safe, while providing them the opportunity to maintain the independence they love so much. If your parent is resistant to the idea of looking into a senior living community, you are not alone. We are happy to be an information resource for you.    

If you would like to learn more about our services, we cordially invite you to visit one of our beautiful communities, take a tour and speak with our friendly staff.

As you think about the physical logistics involved in moving an older parent to a senior living community, here are some helpful ideas about breaking the process into a timeline.

Moving Day  

After a great deal of planning, moving day will finally arrive. Be prepared that it might be an emotional experience for your loved one and all involved family members. Even though moving to a senior living community is a very positive and life enhancing thing to do, it might be tough for your loved one to face the fact that one chapter of their life is closing, even though a new one is about to begin.

It’s always very important to be patient, understanding and supportive to your parent, but especially at this critical time.

Welcoming Them to Their New Home!

When your loved one arrives at their new home at the senior living community, you can rest assured that they will be warmly welcomed by everyone, including staff members and fellow residents. These communities do a great job of making a new person feel at home and acquainting them with their new surroundings. Your parent will be making new friends from the very first day!

For many healthy and active seniors, there comes a time in life when they no longer want to be burdened with the costs and responsibilities associated with home ownership. After many years of hard work, older adults such as these want to spend a majority of their time exploring activities that interest them, while having full access to a full range of lifestyle amenities.

If this description fits you, residing in an Independent Living community could be an ideal solution.  Residing at an Independent Living property allows seniors who are generally healthy and able to safely function on their own have an opportunity to experience the many conveniences and freedoms that such a lifestyle brings.

Frontier’s Independent Living communities provide a care free way of life. Our beautiful properties offer a wide range of services and amenities such as delicious meals, many social activities, access to convenient transportation and housekeeping.

INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR ACTIVE SENIORS

Here is just a partial listing of the many services offered by our Frontier Independent Living Communities.

SERVICES FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING

In addition, there is a wide array of amenities provided to our Independent Living residents such as:

• On-Site Medical Director
• Swimming Pool
• Work out Facilities
• Library
• Spacious Dining Rooms
• Recognition of Residents’ Birthdays
• Mass Services
• Manicures & Pedicures
• Quarterly Events with Family
• Veteran Ceremonies
• Musical Performances

FRONTIER’S AWARD WINNING SPARK™ PROGRAM

Our Independent Living communities are proud to offer our residents the award winning SPARK program.

Inspired by the teachings of Maria Montessori and Dr. Cameron Camp, SPARK provides older adults with a wide range of meaningful and life-enhancing experiences.

We offer activities and programs such as growing herbs in the garden, classes about art, baking and cooking, bingo, book club, bowling, cocktail classes, group exercise, trips to attractions, swimming, happy hours, dancing, Reading Club, Lifelong Learning lecture series, community outreach and volunteer leadership opportunities, and even beer brewing!

In addition, one of our most popular programs is Culinary Club, where our residents work directly with our chefs to gather ingredients and then prepare and cook meals themselves to enjoy with one another.

No matter what your interests are, SPARK has something for everyone!

The Benefits of Residing at an Independent Living Property 

There are many advantages to calling an Independent Living community home, including:

PEACE OF MIND

For older adults, keeping up with general maintenance and other tasks related to home ownership can increasingly be more burdensome each year. Seniors who choose to reside in an independent living community no longer have to worry about housekeeping, mowing the lawn or repairs. Everything is taken care of by our highly experienced staff, so you can focus on living your best life.

PREPARING MEALS

Shopping and cooking meals every day can be very time-consuming. Independent Living communities offer 3 delicious meals prepared by a chef for everyone to enjoy. In addition, food is served in a spacious dining room, which allows residents to visit each other and enjoy social interaction.

BEING PART OF A COMMUNITY

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Independent Living is the many opportunities seniors have to meet people and make new friends. It is refreshing for older adults to be around peers in the same phase of life, where they can enjoy each other’s company and participate in activities together.

MANY SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Some seniors struggle to stay engaged with social activities as they get older. The Independent Living lifestyle offers easy access to a wide range of classes, events, volunteer opportunities, and trips that are designed to fill residents’ days with meaningfulness, fun, and purpose. Participating in such activities is a great way to make new friends.

A senior living apartment is a type of senior housing for independent older adults generally over the age of 55. Many of these communities typically enforce a minimum age requirement of somewhere between 55-62 years of age (or older).

Additionally, eligibility may also depend on credit checks and whether or not you are able to pay rent each month.

Luckily, the cost to live in a senior unit is usually lower than the cost of regular apartments.

The apartments themselves are usually equipped with features that cater to seniors facing the common challenges of aging, such as step-in showers, grab bars, and other safety items.
Meanwhile, the apartment complex buildings that house these units are usually designed with fewer floors and equipped with elevators to allow for better accessibility. They are also located on campuses that are near many senior-friendly amenities and conveniences.

Overall, a resident in a senior living community apartment is active and independent enough to support themselves in all aspects of daily living. They have complete freedom over what they can do with their time and living space while also coming and going as they please.

What is the Difference Between Independent Living and Senior Apartments?

Senior apartments and independent living are very similar in that residents of each are usually healthy, active, and able to perform many activities of daily living on their own.
The main difference is that senior apartments are focused on providing affordable senior housing to individuals seeking more of a social environment. Meanwhile, independent living is a retirement community with a slightly higher level of senior care that may have the added benefit of easy access to healthcare.

For example, these independent living communities are usually positioned closer to other senior living options—such as nursing homes or assisted living apartments— that offer skilled nursing and other medical services. This allows independent living residents to have peace of mind knowing that medical care is within reach if the need ever arises.

Overall, senior apartments are for individuals looking to downsize from a house to an affordable apartment and still be able to do all of the cooking, driving, and housekeeping entirely on your own.

On the other hand, independent living may be more hands-on by offering senior-friendly services that you can opt into with a monthly fee. Options to choose from include access to skilled nursing, personal assistance, dining, transportation, housekeeping, laundry, and more.

How Much Does it Cost to Live in Senior Housing?

The cost to live in a senior housing community is based upon factors such as the size of the accommodations (one or two-bedroom apartment), the location of the community, and more.

The three main pricing categories typically include:

• Low-income housing: These housing communities are meant for low-income older adults—but what is considered low-income for a senior? This varies depending on local, state, and federal government guidelines, but generally, there are housing solutions for seniors with incomes between $20 – $30,000/year or less. Additionally, there are also affordable housing options for seniors with slightly higher incomes up to $38 – $40,000/year, but when taking into account rising healthcare costs, they may still need financial assistance to cover everything.
• Market-rate apartments: Compared to normal-priced apartments for people of all ages, market-rate apartments are typically cheaper, making them ideal for older adults who are not considered low-income but still want to live in a community of adults in a similar age group.
• Luxury senior living: These high-end senior apartments are usually bigger, located in highly desirable locations, and offer many different amenities.

Benefits of Apartment Living for Seniors

In the past, many people have waited for a crisis to drive the decision to move into senior living, but that is changing as new developments create a resort-like environment that people are excited to call home!

Quality senior apartments put seniors in the midst of active, bustling communities that offer access to fitness classes, exercise, and the great outdoors.

A senior living apartment can help a senior expand their relationships, reconnect with favorite activities that had been given up, master new hobbies, and introduce new adventures into their lives.

Is apartment living good for seniors?

Senior apartment living is GREAT for anyone who wants to take the first step into senior living.

Some of the benefits include:

• You are perfectly positioned to easily transition into the next lifestyle option once your level of care changes, whether that’s independent living or assisted living.
• You can live in the company of other accomplished people who have an infinite array of personal histories and interests, all gathering together to challenge the assumptions of what it means to retire.
• You can meet new friends through a variety of social activities and clubs
• You can usually access senior-friendly conveniences on-campus or nearby, such as fitness centers, golf courses, swimming pools, computer rooms, libraries, etc.
• You can bring your furry friends along with a variety of pet-friendly options
• You can select how big or small you want to go with many different floor plans available
• You can choose options with washer/dryers, heating/air conditioning, elevators/handicap accessibility, and more
• You no longer have to do yard maintenance and home upkeep!

Is A Senior Apartment Right For You?

Considering a move but still have the capability to meet your activities of daily living without much assistance, you have a few options.

In understanding your overall needs and the differences between a senior apartment or an independent living community you have the freedom of choice.

What new opportunities might be waiting for you in a senior living community?