Do you live alone? Have you always lived alone in your own home? As you age, have you noticed that simple tasks like washing yourself, fixing your meals or remembering your medicines have become more challenging? Have you given any thought to assisted living?
In fact, what is assisted living? Assisted living is provided for adults who need help with daily care, but not as much help as a nursing home provides. What is an assisted living facility? An assisted living facility provides adults with the help they need with activities of daily living? What are these activities? They are, amongst others, bathing, dressing, and medication management. However, the assisted living facility also allows adults to maintain as much independence as possible. Assisted living facilities also provide social and recreational activities, housekeeping, and meals. They are designed for seniors or people with disabilities who may not need the level of care provided in a nursing home but still require some assistance with daily tasks.
So when should you consider assisted living? We would like to share the following thoughts for you to consider when deciding whether it is time to move into assisted living.
- Your daily activities are almost impossible to complete. This means if you are having difficulty with basic tasks such as bathing, dressing, and cooking, it may be time to consider assisted living.
- You are no longer comfortable being alone. If you are at risk of falling or have other safety concerns, assisted living can provide a safer environment.
- You have had a lot of friends and family move or pass away and you are now lonely. An assisted living facility can provide opportunities for socialization and activities, which will be beneficial for you so that you are no longer isolated at home.
- You realize that your health is not good. If you have chronic health conditions that require frequent monitoring or assistance with medication, assisted living may be a good option.
As you consider moving into an assisted living facility we highly recommend that you meet with a Florida elder law attorney. She can help you with long-term care planning to help you look at your finances and paying the costs of an assisted living facility.
We know this article may raise more questions than it answers. At Britton G. Swank, P.A., our mission is to guide you in the right direction to help you provide for yourself and your loved ones no matter what the future holds. We want to help you control the assets you have, leave them to people and causes you care about, when you want, in the way you want. We can help you take care of yourself and those you love in the event of disability due to illness, injury or old age. No matter what risks unfold, we can help give you the comfort of knowing you are prepared. We want you to feel good about your future and the future of your loved ones. We encourage you to contact us and schedule a meeting.