How to Know When It’s Time for Assisted Living

If you are an adult child of an elderly parent, it may be difficult to tell when it’s time to move your parents into assisted living. For many of us, we have always seen our parents as independent individuals who kept the family together, made all the tough decisions, and could handle anything. Age, health, and other factors beyond our control can greatly impact our parents’ ability to manage retirement and aging. It can be very unsettling to begin to notice things in your parents’ home fall by the wayside. 

If you are concerned that your elderly parent may need assisted living care, look out for the following behaviors: 

Behavioral Changes

Changes in behavior are often the first thing we notice about our parents when they age. Getting older can generally cause some changes in communication or personality, but drastic mood shifts may hint at a larger issue at hand that may worsen over time. If your parents are acting unlike themselves, they may be experiencing early symptoms of dementia, depression, anxiety, or another health care concern. If this is the case, you will most likely want to consider assisted living arrangements that offer personalized senior care with 24-hour professional staff. 

Concerns about Eating Habits and Health

It may be difficult to know your parents’ eating habits and food shopping if you do not live close by or visit regularly. However, if you have begun to notice an absence of fresh foods in the fridge, expired food in the pantry, or a lack of available food in the home, this could be a clear indication that your loved one is struggling to feed themselves. The same can be said if you notice drastic weight gain or weight loss, perhaps they are eating out more than normal or eating less than recommended. Either way, it’s worth checking in with your parent to see if they have been struggling to prepare meals and go grocery shopping. 

Find Personalized Assisted Living Options Near You

MorningStar Assisted Living Des Moines provides high-quality care and safety assurances for seniors, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a safe and secure senior living community. With a commitment to safety, experienced staff members, and state-of-the-art safety features, you can be confident that your loved one will receive the best care possible with us at MorningStar. 

Contact us today to learn more about MorningStar’s Assisted Living retirement communities in Des Moines, Iowa. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have, and our website also provides information on our company’s history and vision. Our holistic approach to senior care sets us apart from other senior assisted living facilities in Iowa. We encourage you to see our exceptional options for seniors seeking independent and assisted living in Des Moines.

Join a Book Club this Summer!: How Reading is Beneficial for Senior Wellness

Reading, as we all know, is an excellent source of relaxation. However, no one is likely reading enough these days. Reading engages the mind and keeps the brain actively engaged. This is why a MorningStar Assisted Living Community near you advocates for book clubs in their assisted living communities. For seniors in assisted living that may have physical limitations or reduced mobility, reading provides a mentally engaging and fulfilling activity, especially in a group setting. Building community over a good book is a great way to keep seniors actively engaged and mentally stimulated in assisted living care.
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Reading opens the door to continuous learning and personal growth. Through reading, seniors explore new topics and expand their horizons. Offering access to books through libraries and digital reading platforms is just one way assisted living communities grant seniors this wealth of knowledge. By encouraging and facilitating book clubs, MorningStar empowers seniors to continue their literary journey and make lasting, lifelong friends along the way.

By organizing and promoting book clubs in our community, residents come together to discuss and share their chosen books and love for reading. This group gives seniors something to look forward to and keeps their minds busy and engaged. For seniors that struggle with mobility and may be unable to participate fully in outdoor activities, book club provides a safe alternative to physical pursuits while still allowing residents to remain mentally active and entertained.

Engaging in regular reading has been shown to have positive effects on memory and recognition. Knowing this, MorningStar encourages seniors to maintain and improve their memory function through reading. With memory care being a priority for some residents in assisted living, joining a book club will help to reduce stress, improve memory, and benefit overall happiness.

MorningStar Assisted Living Des Moines provides high-quality care and safety assurances for seniors, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a safe and secure senior living community. With a commitment to safety, experienced staff members, and state-of-the-art safety features, you can be confident that your loved one will receive the best care possible with us at MorningStar.
 
Contact us today to learn more about MorningStar's Assisted Living retirement communities in Des Moines, Iowa. Our staff is happy to answer any questions you have, and our website also provides information on our company's history and vision. Our holistic approach to senior care sets us apart from other senior assisted living facilities in Iowa. We encourage you to see our exceptional options for seniors seeking independent and assisted living in Des Moines, IA.