When to Move to Assisted Living

Few things matter to us more than our freedom. It isn't just about what we do; independence is about dignity, choice, and self-image. As we move through life, we seem to gain more and more autonomy, until a time comes when living alone is no longer feasible or when additional support simply makes sense for health and safety.

One of the main challenges when it comes to determining a move into assisted living is that it might require convincing someone you love and respect that the time is right. At The Bristal, we understand that having the conversation about moving to assisted living is hard, and we are here to support and guide you every step of the way.

Why Is the Move to Assisted Living so Difficult?

While the desire to stay independent is a noble one, there are some telltale signs that it might be the right time to consider making the move into assisted living. For those who are currently living in their own homes or apartments, the transition directly into an assisted living community can be rather jarring.

Imagine yourself in those shoes. You go from having your own daily routines, favorite spots around town, and a home ordered the way you prefer to downsizing and living in a space where you are surrounded by strangers–at least at first.

Watching someone you love struggle to maintain independence can make having a difficult conversation even more challenging for a caregiver.

So, when is it time for assisted living? That depends. However, it is often evident to caregivers when it is time to move into assisted living, as there are usually a few signs that the time is right.

7 Signs It Is Time to Move to Assisted Living

Having the conversation about moving to assisted living can be difficult. However, there are a few signs that it may be time to start taking steps in that direction. Let’s take a look at the signs of when to move to assisted living.

1. Increased Isolation

Loneliness can become something that wears on seniors. Often, we hear stories of seniors who spend weeks without getting out of the house or having a visitor stop by to keep them company. Feelings of isolation can also lead to significant health problems, such as:

• Depression: Seniors who are isolated are more likely to feel a lack of community or purpose, leading them to feelings of depression. Depression can also lead to conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia, so preventing isolation can lead to a longer, happier life.

• Addiction: For some seniors, isolation can lead to the development of bad habits such as smoking, drinking in excess, prescription drug abuse, and hoarding.

• Development of Chronic Conditions: Seniors who are isolated are more likely to experience cognitive decline and develop chronic conditions, such as cancer, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, isolation can lead to poor nutrition, which can lead to diabetes and other medical conditions.

• Mortality: According to a study performed at UC-Berkeley, social isolation can increase the risk of death in seniors.

By joining a senior living community, seniors can reestablish friendships and hobbies, which keeps them happier. And when residents feel a true sense of belonging and community, their risk of isolation-related health issues—including mortality—may be significantly reduced.

2. Medication Mismanagement

Medication management is a crucial part of life for many seniors. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), adults aged 65 and older visit emergency rooms more than 600,000 times each year due to medication mismanagement, which is more than twice as often as younger people.

If doses are missed or incorrect dosages are taken, there could be a risk of serious health complications. If you believe the senior in your care is having trouble managing their medications, it might be time to consider an assisted living community.

When these behaviors begin to emerge, it’s a meaningful signal that it may be time to explore assisted living options more seriously.

3. Challenges with Personal Care and Household Upkeep

For some, personal care and hygiene can become too difficult to keep up with. Here are just a few of the personal hygiene tasks that may start to deteriorate:

• Fingernail and toenail cleanliness and care
• Bathing routines and changing clothes may be less frequent
• Hair may become matted, dirty, or unmanageable
• Oral hygiene may be lacking

Additionally, you might start to see some household issues that concern you. These are a few of the things you may want to look out for:

• Unsanitary living conditions, such as visibly dirty or moldy areas of the home
• Inadequate or rotten food in the home
• Non-functioning or shut-off utilities
• Dramatic changes in tidiness or cleanliness
• Unopened mail and other important notices

If you start to notice these hygiene and household care habits slipping, it might be time to start a conversation about assisted living. At The Bristal Assisted Living communities, round-the-clock care is available to assist with all of the above activities of daily living (ADLs) and more.

4. Changing Health and Wellness Needs

Have you started to notice that someone you love is having increasing difficulties with their health? When illnesses are a constant problem, or recovering from illness becomes increasingly difficult, it may be time to start the conversation about assisted living.

Another health concern that needs to be top of mind is falling, which can lead to life-threatening injuries in seniors. What might seem like a simple fall for a younger person can lead to significant health problems for seniors, so when a senior becomes a fall-risk, it could be time to consider an assisted living community.

To learn more about the AI-powered fall detection and health monitoring technology used at The Bristal, please check out our Foresite Fall Management information page.

5. Memory Loss

For some seniors, the time to move into a senior living community often coincides with memory loss and cognitive decline. For seniors with Alzheimer’s, and related forms of dementia, living alone or staying in their home may no longer be a feasible option for their family.

If you start to notice significant changes in memory or cognitive abilities, it is best to work with a doctor to determine the best route for your family. In some cases, assisted living may still be an option, but in others, you may need to look for a memory care community.

6. Safety and Security Concerns

Wandering, self-harm, and poor decision-making are all behaviors that can be difficult for caregivers, family members, and friends to monitor and prevent. Common issues with older adults include leaving the oven or stove on, leaving doors and windows unlocked, or forgetting to pay important utility bills. More extreme examples may be wandering the neighborhood and forgetting where home is, or and leaving home in clothes that are unsuitable for the weather.

7. Caregiver Burnout

In some cases, a senior has been under the watchful eye of a caregiver, but that caregiver is burnt out or no longer able to provide solo care. When this occurs, sometimes the best option is to transition to assisted living.

For some caregivers and seniors, the option of in-home care may be viable, but in many cases, this leads to other issues, such as:

• Loneliness for the senior
• Additional stress for the caregiver
• High costs, especially if 24-hour care is required

Some senior living communities also offer respite care, which provides a temporary break for caregivers should they experience burnout, wish to take a vacation, or just need a couple of days to reset.

The Bristal is proud to offer respite care in the form of our Alzheimer’s Day Care program in their Reflections communities, which can be found at The Bristal at East Northport and The Bristal at White Plains. In these two communities, participants enjoy all of the same services and amenities as memory care residents. However, this doesn’t include overnight stays.

Download our Caregivers Guide for more information.

When to Move From Independent Living to Assisted Living

If the senior in your life are already in an independent living community, the transition to assisted living may be a little smoother. Often, independent living communities have assisted living options in the same location, making it easier to keep those connections with others in the community strong, regardless of whether friends remain in independent or assisted living.

When the time comes to consider when to move from independent to assisted living, it is important to extend grace and support. While we know the decision can be a difficult one–and requires a lot of careful consideration–The Bristal is ready to provide you with the appropriate information to help you make an informed choice.

How to Help Someone Transition to Assisted Living

The transition to assisted living can be a positive one, filled with excitement, joy, and enthusiasm. While we know that not all seniors are initially ecstatic about making the shift, many quickly find their place in an assisted living community.

Here are a few quick tips that you can use to help someone transition into an assisted living community:

• Start Early: Beginning this process early can help give people the time they need to process the change. Be sure to listen to what is important to the person who is about to make a huge change in their life. And finally, enlist their help throughout the process for an easier transition.

• Help With the Logistics: Making the move into assisted living will require a lot of work, and for some seniors, this can be incredibly overwhelming. To make the process a little easier on them, help sort out bills and utilities. Create a packing list to help them get started. Hire movers to help with packing and transporting key items. It may also be beneficial to help plan a few ways they can meet new people and acclimate to the new assisted living community.

• Help Pack Important Items: The move to assisted living typically means downsizing. While the move is hard, giving up treasured possessions can lead to a lot of contention. Instead, help the senior in your life choose a few prized items that you can help move to their apartment or residence. It may even be worth hiring someone to help organize and clean out the house. You can also consider having an estate sale to liquidate the remaining items or donating what’s left to charity.

• Plan Visits: Many older adults quietly wonder if choosing assisted living will lead to fewer visits or feeling forgotten by those they love. Before they make the transition, it could be helpful to set up a few dates for visits to let them know that you will still be around after they make the big move.

The goal is to ease the transition by offering support and helping them feel valued and prioritized. These tips will help the older adult in your life feel seen, loved, and supported, all while giving you peace of mind that the transition will go as smoothly as possible for everyone involved.

If you need more help having this conversation with someone you love, check out our guide for reframing the conversation around assisted living.

The Bristal offers assisted living at more than 20 different locations across Manhattan, Long Island, and Westchester, New York, as well as New Jersey. Our professional team of caregivers would love to meet with you and show you around any of our beautiful communities.