Is it time forresidential aged care? Nine signs to look for

Deciding whether to move an elderly loved one to residential aged care is a difficult decision.

To help you decide on the best outcome, here are some signs that may indicate your loved one is ready for this level of care:

• Physical signs
  • Frequent medication: If your loved one is visiting the hospital more often due to chronic health issues, especially if they live alone.
  • Muscle fatigue: Frequent stumbles or falls may indicate balance issues or muscular weakness and in-house tripping hazards can further create risks in their home.
  • Difficulty moving: This can involve difficulties with navigating stairs, steep driveways, or large houses and struggling and feeling exhausted.

• Mental signs
  • Forgetfulness: If your loved one is becoming increasingly forgetful affecting their well-being, pay attention to whether this is a one-off occurrence or something that happens often.
  • Memory loss: Older adults with mild to moderate memory loss may require assistance. Memory loss might manifest in the form of forgetting birthdays, failing to recognise familiar people, or forgetting information from prior discussions.
  • Confusion: Indications such as mixing up words and having difficulty following conversations may signify a serious condition like dementia, which require long-term care. Make sure to initially book an appointment and discuss options with their doctor.
• Emotional signs
  • Loneliness: Isolation may negatively impact the body and mind. Perhaps the harshest aspect of loneliness among the elderly is that they withdraw even more, isolating themselves further from their family and friends.
  • Depression: The physical challenges that come with aging can substantially increase the risk of anxiety and depression. This can lead to a person withdrawing even more from society, fueling the sickness and creating a “spiral of depression.”
  • Behavioural changes: It might indicate sickness or sadness if your usually cheerful loved one suddenly has significant changes in their personality. Loneliness and physical or mental impairment might contribute to this.
  • If your elderly loved one starts to show signs of significant mental or physical distress, it’s time to start talking about more permanent care options.

What to do if you think your loved one needs residential aged care?

Make sure you check in with your loved ones if they start to display some of the symptoms mentioned here. Talk to them about the changes in their lives while being compassionate yet firm and see if they need assistance.

For many families, deciding to move an elderly loved one to aged care is a highly personal and emotional choice.

Homestyle Aged Care has residential homes in Melbourne and Geelong to provide quality Residential Aged Care accommodation and services, including respite and dementia-specific care.

Phone us today at 1300 104 663 to discuss the best options for you and your family.