When to Move from Independent to Assisted Living

Finding the right care community for your loved one directly impacts their health and overall well-being. This is because of differences in the level of care that communities can provide.

Independent living communities are ideal for older adults who are fully independent and can safely continue to manage their daily activities. Meanwhile, assisted living is recommended for those who are relatively self-sufficient but require some support with daily tasks. 

Transitioning from independent to assisted living is recommended when an older adult can no longer safely live independently. This involves evaluating several factors, including: 

• Significant changes in health status

• Assistance with daily activities

• Safety concerns

• Professional recommendations

Understanding Assisted Living

Assisted living is a long-term care environment for older adults who are relatively independent but require help managing daily activities. Assisted living communities offer residents the support they need while still promoting their independence. 

Residents in assisted living are often semi-independent, have varying levels of mobility, and may be relatively self-sufficient. However, they can still benefit from help with personal care, medication management, and meal preparation. 

An assisted living community bridges the gap between independent living and full-time comprehensive care, making it an attractive option for residents and families.

Assisted living provides residents with a safe, social, and supportive environment with access to personalized care plans, social events, and amenities and services that offer comfort and enjoyment. 

Residents can relax knowing that they no longer have to worry about completing mundane daily chores. Instead, they can focus their energy and attention on activities, hobbies, and social connections, enjoying the leisure in everyday living.

The supportive and caring environment of assisted living provides families with the peace of mind of knowing that their loved one is well-cared for. Instead of focusing on caregiving tasks, family members can put their energy into connecting more deeply with their loved ones.

When to Transition to Assisted Living

Contrary to popular belief, there is no “right time” or age qualification for transitioning from independent to assisted living. 

Rather, this decision involves evaluating whether assisted living will provide your loved one with the care they require to maintain and enhance their overall health and well-being.

Ultimately, assisted living tends to be the best choice for those who are relatively independent but require support in managing daily tasks.

Changes in Health Status

Experiencing changes in our health status becomes common as we grow older, and this can impact our ability to live independently. 

For instance, frequently visiting the doctor to manage chronic health conditions may indicate an increasing need for a supportive care environment. 

Assisted living caters to these evolving health-related needs by offering: 

• 24/7 professional care staff
• On-site medical professionals
• Medication management
• Personalized wellness programs

In addition to physical health changes, signs of declining emotional well-being may indicate an increasing need for a more activity-driven, community-based environment. 

When a person’s care needs remain unmet, this can lead to mood fluctuations, increased irritability, and withdrawal from activities and hobbies once enjoyed, increasing social isolation.

A community environment helps combat feelings of loneliness, boredom, and social withdrawal through opportunities for social engagement, mental stimulation, and emotional support. Often this means partaking of on-site amenities and organized events. 

Assistance with Daily Activities 

One key indicator that your loved one will benefit from assisted living is if they need help with one or more of the activities of daily living. These activities include tasks like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. 

Difficulty managing these tasks can often lead to frustration, but ongoing professional support fosters the residents’ independence.

Changes in health status may include noticeable changes in appearance, such as weight loss. For instance, if your loved one begins skipping meals because preparing food becomes increasingly difficult, the nutritious meals provided by our dining experience can help ensure that they receive proper nutrition.

This allows our residents to focus less energy and attention on mundane chores like housekeeping and put more effort into enriching other aspects of their lives like hobbies and leisure activities.

Safety Concerns

Home safety can often become a concern for older adults. The following signs may suggest  that your loved one is no longer able to manage their own health and wellbeing alone:

• Frequent falls
• Difficulty navigating stairs
• Missed medications or appointments
• Inability to get around without grab bars, handrails, wide hallways, and proper lighting

Assisted living is specially designed to address these safety concerns, with features including:

• Medication management
• Emergency call systems
• 24/7 on-site professional care staff
• Structural in-house support through grab bars, handrails, and wide hallways

Professional Recommendations

Care staff in independent living have the opportunity and privilege to connect with your loved one and monitor changes in their routine. In fact, care staff are specifically trained to recognize the signs of changing health and circumstances.

If care staff in independent living suggest a transition to assisted living, consider their recommendation to preserve your loved one’s health and well-being.

Schedule a Tour at a Community Near You Today

Transitioning your loved one into assisted living is advisable when independent living can no longer meet their evolving care needs. Assisted living communities promote the independence of older adults while offering them additional support as needed.

Connect with our team and learn about our community options to schedule a tour of one our our communities today