The decision to place your loved one in a senior housing community where they'll receive long-term care is never easy. Moving from the home they've lived in for years to a senior living community won't be easy, and while we all like to think that we'll be able to stay in our own homes for the rest of our lives, for some, long-term care really is the best option. But how can you tell if long-term care is the best option for your loved one?

Is it time to consider long-term care?

There are many ways to tell if long-term care is the right option for your loved one. Some of the signs are physical, some are mental and some have to do with your loved one's lifestyle.

• Mental - Confusion or memory loss are common signs of dementia, and it's important not to just write them off as normal parts of the aging process. Additional signs that indicate the need for long-term care may include confusion regardings places, dates and names, and changes in mood or personality. If dementia becomes severe enough, it can put people living alone at risk for many dangers situations, such as wandering off and getting lost or forgetting to turn the stove off or blow out a candle.
• Physical - The physical signs that your loved one could benefit from long-term care include changes in weight, loss of strength, diminished energy levels and a loss of balance. In addition to making it difficult for your loved one to complete their activities of daily living, such as bathing, getting dressed and cooking dinner, many of these issues can increase your loved one's chances of falling or getting injured in their home, and long-term care can help to reduce that risk.
• Lifestyle - In addition to paying attention to the physical and mental signs that your loved one may benefit from long-term care, you should also pay attention to their lifestyle. Has your loved one suddenly stopped brushing their hair, when they used to get their hair done on a weekly basis? Has your loved one suddenly stopped playing cards with their friends, when it used to be their favorite activity?

What are the benefits of choosing long-term care?

• Your loved one will be safer - Physical and mental deterioration doesn't just make life more difficult for your loved one; it also makes it more dangerous. Long-term care can help to alleviate the risks and keep your loved one safer.
• Your loved one will be in a social setting - With physical and mental deterioration often comes social isolation. When you choose a long-term care facility, like Salem Lutheran Homes & Rehabilitation Center, your loved one will have lots of opportunities to make friends and socialize.
• You'll gain peace of mind - There's nothing worse than helplessly worrying about your loved one's safety when they're alone at home, and when your loved one starts receiving the long-term care they need, you won't have to.

Is long-term care the right option for your loved one in Elk Horn? Contact us at Salem Lutheran Homes & Rehabilitation Center today.