When we get married, we promise our spouse we will care for them and be by their side in sickness and health. But what happens when your partner needs more care than you’re able to give, or when living in the family home becomes challenging or unsafe for them?
For some, it can feel as if they’re letting down the person they love when they finally admit they need help taking care of their spouse. But the truth is, we can’t always do it all by ourselves, and enlisting the help of professionals can be more beneficial to the health and quality of life of your spouse. While it’s often a tough decision to move your husband or wife from the family home to an assisted living community, once you see how much the arrangement benefits them, you may be among many others who asked themselves “why didn’t we do this sooner?”
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living communities are an option for seniors who require additional help with activities of daily living (ADLs), but who do not need the 24-hour medical care and support found in a nursing home environment. Designed to provide a balance of independence and supervision, assisted living communities provide assistance with tasks like bathing, dressing, and medication management. Residents typically live in their own private apartments or rooms with access to common spaces where organized activities are held.
Signs it’s time to ask for help include:
- Feeling overwhelmed by or unable to tend to your day-to-day responsibilities while also meeting your spouse’s needs.
- Living in fear of your spouse falling or being injured at home.
- Being the only person able to help your spouse move around the house, get in and out of bed, or drive to and from appointments.
- Experiencing distress or daily worry about making sure your spouse is fed, clean, comfortable, and taking the proper medications.
The truth is, not only do we not have the expertise to care for someone as well as a professional can, but when our loved one has an acute health condition — or lives with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia — it can be a round-the-clock job to make sure they’re safe and comfortable. This is an unrealistic and impossible schedule for one caregiver to manage, especially when they have other responsibilities to handle, too.
Benefits of Assisted Living Include:
- Medical care and assistance personalized to the needs of your loved one
- Prepared meals, exercise classes and social time that promote a healthy lifestyle
- Safe and secure surroundings where seniors will be comfortable and confident
- An environment that offers both structure, and the ability for older adults to maintain a sense of independence
- Peace of mind not only for the spouse and other caregivers, but also for the individual in assisted living who can be confident they have the resources and support they need
So, if you’ve decided these advantages would be beneficial for your spouse, how do you go about getting started and exploring assisted living options?
Taking the First Step
Most importantly, you want to find a nice, well-maintained community staffed with caring individuals who take a true interest in the well-being of the people they serve. The best way to ensure you find the right environment for your loved one is to do your homework by researching assisted living options and visiting prospective assisted living communities. Ask lots of questions, meet as many people as possible, and explore the apartments and shared facilities. Speak with staff members and see if you can visit during a mealtime — after all, food is a key factor in helping us feel at home. By being as thorough as possible, you can be confident that you made the right decision, and you can assist your spouse in making the transition by addressing the concerns or desires that are important to them.
At Bethesda, we welcome all your questions and we’d love to have you come for a visit of our assisted living communities. You can meet our staff and see all the wonderful features and amenities we offer to ensure your spouse gets the care they need to enjoy their life to the greatest potential. Contact us to get started.
