Determining whether you or a loved one is in need of assisted living can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be. There are a number of things to consider—not only health and safety, but the opportunity to continue living a purposeful, engaged life. Spending a few days with your parent, getting a closer look at their routines, can reveal things that aren’t as obvious with a phone call or a short visit. Below are some warning signs that may indicate they may be in need of additional support.

• Getting Lost on Familiar Routes
• Leaving the stove on
• Forgetting to Pay Bills
• Slow Recall or Information Retrieval
• Short-term memory loss
• Lack of follow-through on tasks
• Disorientation of time and place
• Loss of judgment – taking an illogical approach to problem solving
• Weight loss – not cooking for themselves or eating properly
• Falling frequently
• Avoiding issues – talking around subjects due to lack of understanding
• Medications – mixing up, running out, or taking incorrect dosages
• Poor housekeeping – dirty dishes and laundry, clutter
• Difficulty with home maintenance – avoiding yard work, living in only a few rooms of the house
• Fear of living alone – becoming overly dependent on loved ones
• Poor personal hygiene –bathing infrequently, wearing the same clothes
• No longer socializing, losing touch with friends
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Depression – excessive sleeping or crying

Changes can be subtle for some. Signs can vary and so can their level of intensity. If the signs are consistent and on-going, an assessment is in order.