7 Reasons to Consider a Move to Assisted Living in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Making the move to Assisted Living can be a difficult decision. As a caregiver/child, making that decision can be fraught with guilt and uncertainty. Your parent may be opposed, afraid of losing their independence, not feeling ready yet. They may even be angry with you at first.
It can be a difficult transition, but usually, we see residents get used to the idea and even realize how much they enjoy the freedom of their new chore-free lifestyle. We recently recevied this email from a resident’s daughter:
I just talked to Mom about her day… I’ve got such a smile of contentment. When we were looking to make a move to Assisted Living, Mom did not want to go. She said, “Just go ahead and put me in a home.”
Yet on the phone tonight, she talked about all the activities and how tired she was (in a good way). She said, “It was so good to be home,” referring to her apartment at Saint Simeon’s. What a gift and blessing for a child who loves her mom.
During this holiday season, here are 7 situations and points to ponder to help you understand if you parent or parents are ready to make the move to Assisted Living.
The Refrigerator Test
One of the first indicators it’s time for assistance often hides in the kitchen. Check Mom and Dad’s fridge and pantry. Are there expiration dates from two years ago? What’s in the fridge besides condiments? Is it mostly frozen dinners or highly processed snacks?
Good nutrition is critical for seniors. If shopping and cooking have become too taxing, Mom or Dad likely aren’t getting the nutrients they need to maintain their strength and immunity. Assisted Living turns dining from a chore into a social, nutritious experience. Our dining services team provides three delicious, nutrient-dense meals each day, plus snacks.
Shrinking World Syndrome
Isolation is a silent health risk. Has Mom stopped going to her bridge club? Did Dad stop attending church or seeing his regular coffee group? If they have stopped driving, their world may have shrunk to just the four walls of their living room.
We all have a need for connection. Assisted Living naturally reintroduces socialization through planned activities and outings. And simply having neighbors nearby can drastically improve mental health and slow cognitive decline. Our robust activity calendar provides plenty of opportunities for fun, connnection, and conversation with neighbors.
Unexplained Physical Changes
Sometimes the signs are subtle, but visible. Have you noticed recent weight loss or gain? Does Mom have unexplained bruises that could be the result of a fall she didn’t want to tell you about? How is Dad’s personal hygiene? When was the last time he showered, combed his hair, or changed his clothes?
These are often signs that the “Activities of Daily Living” (ADLs—bathing, dressing, grooming) are becoming difficult or even scary to perform alone. Assistance preserves dignity—it doesn’t remove it. Part of our mission is to help our residents maintain the highest level of independence possible. Providing assistance when and where they need it reinforces confidence and independence in other areas.
The Medication Minefield
Check Mom’s pill organizer. Are doses being skipped? Are pills for Monday still there on Wednesday? Or worse, is she confused about what she is taking and why?
Medication mismanagement is a leading cause of hospitalization for seniors. Professional medication management provides immediate peace of mind and ensures health conditions are being treated.
The State of the Home
The environment often reflects a person’s state of mind and physical ability. Is unopened mail piling up? Are there “doom piles” of clutter that create trip hazards? Is the yard overgrown, lightbulbs burned out and not replaced?
Home maintenance requires executive function and physical agility. When the house becomes a burden rather than a sanctuary, it’s time to move to a maintenance-free lifestyle where they can focus on living rather than fixing.
Caregiver Burnout
It may be time to consider your own health and needs. Are you constantly worried? Do you cringe if the phone rings at night? Are you missing work or sacrificing time with your own children to manage your parents’ needs?
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Moving a loved one to Assisted Living restores the parent-child relationship. You get to go back to being a daughter or son, rather than a nurse or case manager.
The CCRC Advantage
A senior might be okay right now, but what happens if they have a stroke or their memory begins to fade significantly next year?
Moving to a stand-alone Assisted Living community is a short-term fix. Moving to the Assisted Living wing of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is a long-term strategy. It guarantees that if needs change (e.g., Skilled Nursing or Memory Care), Mom won’t have to move to a strange place—she gets to stay among the community and people she already knows and trusts.
Don’t Wait for a Crisis
Making a move during a crisis can be traumatic and limits your choices. Making the move before it is strictly necessasry allows Mom or Dad to choose their apartment, downsize on their own terms, and acclimate while they are still healthy enough to make friends and enjoy the amenities.
Assisted Living isn’t about giving up independence; it’s about giving up the obstacles to independence (like stairs, cooking, and cleaning ) so they can enjoy the freedom that remains.
If Mom and Dad might be interested in a maintenance-free, chore-free lifestyle, but don’t yet need assistance with daily activities, Saint Simeon’s now offers an affordable Catered Living Program that provides all the activities and amenities of our Assisted Living Community and includes meals and housekeeping.
Contact Us to schedule a tour today and see everything Saint Simeon’s Senior Community has to offer!
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