4 Reasons Elders May Need Consistent Assistance
Elders require consistent assistance for a number of reasons. If you are having a hard time determining whether your elderly loved one needs full-time care, you can use some common indicators to decide when they should transition to a senior assisted living home.
At Tysons Woods, we offer an independent living environment paired with 24/7 care in Vienna, VA. We believe in transparent and all-inclusive pricing so that you and your loved one can feel confident about transitioning to our residences. Our team is centered around creating a home for each resident with a personalized environment, daily routine, diet, and medical attention.
Below are 4 reasons elders may need consistent assistance:
1. Difficulty with Acts of Daily Living
Acts of Daily Living (ADLs) include everyday routines that are essential to having an active and healthy life. If your elder is struggling with some or all of the following ADLs, they may need consistent assistance:
- Getting into or out of bed/chair
- Performing personal hygiene
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Eating
- Using toilet
- Walking or climbing stairs
To determine how capable your elder is of performing these tasks, make a checklist and evaluate these items over the course of a week or two.
ADLs are important to maintaining health and well-being, especially for elderly individuals. If you find that your elder is unable to perform these activities, they may benefit from consistent assistance. Having a full-time caregiver will ensure that your loved one is maintaining their health in the most basic ways possible.
2. Difficulty with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Instrumental activities of daily living (iADLs) are not nearly as fundamental as ADLs, but if your elder is responsible for these tasks and is unable to fulfill them—they may need consistent assistance. The following are iADLs to monitor:
- Driving or using public transportation
- Preparing meals
- Using communication devices
- Cleaning or maintaining home
- Shopping for groceries
- Managing finances
- Running errands
Track your elders’ ability to complete these tasks over the course of a month to determine whether they may need help.
An assisted living home–like Tysons Woods–can support your loved one with iADLs. Whether your elder needs to be facilitated in these activities or simply prompted to complete them, a caregiver can help.
3. Debilitation due to Chronic Illness
A serious decline in health or the diagnosis of a chronic condition can cause elders to require consistent care. According to the National Institute on Aging, 85% of elders have a chronic illness, such as dementia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, or diabetes. These illnesses can negatively affect an elderly person’s ability to carry out ADLs and iADLs.
Assisted living creates a safe space for individuals with chronic illness to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Doctors and nurses on staff help by monitoring their medical conditions while ensuring your loved one feels cared for.
4. Dependence Upon Loved Ones
If your elders rely heavily upon you or others to help them carry out ADLs or iADLs, they may benefit from care provided on-site and on-call. An elder’s inability to carry out daily activities can occur gradually with the support of others. Oftentimes when elders require help for the majority of their daily activities, the increasing level of care they require can go unnoticed by loved ones.
As a frequent caregiver, you may begin to feel stressed or burned out from caring for your elder. When that is the case, it is probably time to consider more consistent caregiving support. It can be difficult to recognize and accept this milestone in your loved one’s journey, but it is important for them to receive full-time care when they become dependent upon you.
Tysons Woods: A Trusted Assisted Living Home in Vienna, VA
Tysons Woods is a small, senior assisted living community that is dedicated to a holistic approach. We respect our elders by providing a safe and loving environment. Our compassionate professionals in the Vienna, VA, area facilitate a free-living lifestyle and quality personal care. Contact us at (703) 846-0395 to discover a home for your loved one at Tysons Woods.
