You’re noticing that your mom is having a hard time taking care of her health and her home. Or maybe your father-in-law is having frequent falls, and you can’t afford in-home care. You want to ensure your loved one receives the care they need, so you ask yourself “is it time for long-term care?”
Although there are several reasons why someone might need long-term care, there are three major signs that should lead you to have a serious conversation with your loved ones and doctor about long-term care options.
- Advanced or Constant Medical Attention is Needed
- Personal Care is Being Neglected
- Problems with Mobility
Needing advanced medical attention or 24/7 medical care is one of the most obvious signs for long-term care. There are many situations that can cause the need for advanced medical attention, such as surgery, injuries, general declining health, debilitating conditions, forgetting to take medication, and memory complications. In-home care is an option but can be costly. So if advanced or constant medical attention is needed and you can’t afford in-home care, long-term care is likely a good option.
If you notice a decline in personal care or hygiene, this can be a sign that long-term care might be needed. If someone isn’t regularly bathing, brushing their teeth, brushing their hair, or properly using the restroom, personal care is being neglected. Having an unclean, cluttered home or wearing dirty clothes often is another sign that personal care is declining. In a long-term care community, team members will help residents with these Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and ensure they are in a clean, safe environment.
This issue can sometimes be hard to identify if you don’t see your loved one often. It’s obvious when someone falls frequently, is unable to stand on their own, walk far, or get up and down easily. In these cases, especially if falls are happening, long-term care should be considered. However, if you don’t see these things occurring, there are other ways to tell:
- Mail and newspapers are being left outside.
- Someone isn’t driving to their normal social activities or appointments.
- The home seems untidy or things that have been dropped are left on the ground.
These are all signs that there might be a problem with mobility.
If you or your loved one are displaying any of the three major signs listed in this blog, sit down with your family and doctor to discuss these issues and determine if you need long-term care. You can also chat with a team member at one of our communities to find the best option for you.
Find out if Long-term Care is the best option for you or your loved one today with the help of our ‘Find My Care’ Quiz.
Resources:
Caring.com
The Ohio State University – Wexner Medical Center
