Understanding Is Key For Making Choice About In Home Assisted Living Services

By Author: Larry Chandler
Total Articles: 738
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A common expression says that the only certain things in life are death and taxes. While getting older is not a guarantee for everybody, it is a high probability for the majority of Americans. With this probability comes the question; “Will my loved ones need some type of in home assisted living service in their later years?” Like almost any question, the best answer can be found after gaining sufficient facts and understanding about the problem.

Weighing the Needs vs. Desires


First and foremost, you should consider the desires of your loved ones in relation to their needs. Does the person wish to stay at home? Do they have a strong circle of friends and relatives nearby that spend time with them? If this is the case, then staying home might be a good option. If your loved one is able to do some chores and tasks on their own or with limited assistance, then they would be a good candidate for in home assisted living services.

Facing Reality


One problem that affects so many people is the overwhelming sense of responsibility ...
... to care for the same loved one that raised them. This is natural, and noble. However, it may not be feasible to do everything on your own.

For example, supposed your loved one has no problem taking their meds and getting dressed. But they need help taking a bath, cooking a couple of meals and doing some light housework. These few chores could easily take up to 15 hours or more over the course of a week. Do you have an extra 15 hours that you can spare? The question is NOT “do you care for your loved one” but rather “do you ACTUALLY have the time?” If you don’t have the time then you will eventually fail at trying to do everything and cause more emotional harm to yourself in the long run.

Recognizing the Signs


Most people are so close to a situation that they cannot always tell when a loved one is in need of help. Here are a few points that will help you in your decision:

Drastic change in weight - If a person suddenly loses a good bit of weight it could be a sign that the person is not eating enough since they can’t prepare the food.
Numerous trips to the hospital - If someone has made several visits to the hospital over the course of two or three months it could mean their overall health is failing.
Cleanliness - Changes in a person’s hygiene habits are normally an indicator that their ability to care for themselves has diminished.

Keep in mind one important fact. You cannot be an expert in everything. You cannot be a full time parent, full time spouse, full time employee, full time caregiver for an elderly relative and expect to have any kind of life all at the same time. Everyone needs help at some point with something. It could be that you need in home assisted living services to help you with your current demands.

Larry Chandler is a freelance writer for Visiting Angels an agency that provides assisted living services in the homes of their patients. To see a full list of their services or home care services please check out their website at Visitingangels.com.