Macaroni KID Pasadena-Severna Park-Glen Burnie and Assisted Living Locators in Annapolis are pleased to bring you the fourth article in our monthly Sandwich Generation article series we launched in April. We designed this series to help you manage situations that you might find yourself in as part of the Sandwich Generation, as you care for older or ill parents or loved ones.
The sandwich generation as defined by Merriam-Webster is, "a generation of people who are caring for their aging parents while supporting their own children."
In this article, we learn the signs that our loved might need assisted living.
This article is written and sponsored by Jennifer McAndrews of Assisted Living Locators in Annapolis. Contact Jennifer to help you and your family find the right care option for your loved one!
When Is It Time For Assisted Living?
One of the major issues affecting those in the Sandwich Generation is knowing when or if their loved one could benefit from assisted living.
The time for assisted living is different for each individual and situation. For many, the time comes when a family caregiver has passed away or is no longer able to be a constant in the life of an aging loved one. At that point, the safety and care needs of that person may mean a move to assisted living to ensure safety and that all needs are being met.
For others the time to move becomes apparent quickly upon a sudden illness, injury or accident. These are situations that are too dire or complicated for families to take on alone. On the other hand, for some people, the need to move is a slow progression and red flags emerge that family, friends or neighbors start to notice.
Troubling Signs
These red flags include some of the following: missed appointments or visits with family, unpaid or incorrectly paid bills, lack of groceries or abundance of spoiled/expired food, indication of mishaps around the house, such as damage to a microwave or stove or that from water.
Further signs of concern include unkempt appearance or home, wearing of the same clothes or clothes that look dirty, clutter or lack of housekeeping, especially for those who were always well kept. Other indicators are hair care or other grooming that seems to be lacking, a change in behavior or temperament, and unwillingness to engage or participate in activities or social events that they once did.
Any one of these signs or even a few, doesn't necessarily mean there is an immediate need to move to assisted living. It does serve as an indicator to families that they should be aware and alert to how situations are progressing.
Safety Concerns
The bottom line is always the safety of the loved one.
If there is a concern that this family member could not get themselves out of the home in case of fire or manage another kind of emergency situation on their own - enough to at least call 911 - the time may be sooner rather than later to consider the options.
Options prior to a move to assisted living that some families take advantage of are a move to a family member's home. This is not always a viable option for everyone and even then may only act as a short-term solution. For some families, implementation of paid services such as caregivers, housekeepers, meal service, and transportation can help prolong the need to move.
Impact on the Sandwich Generation
A factor for those in the sandwich generation is that the responsibility of assisting in maintaining an aging loved one's home falls to those who most likely are already maintaining their own home.
Even if a family member is not paying for or doing the necessary upkeep, lawn care, repairs etc themselves, the time spent managing their loved one's home can be overwhelming. Every family must determine the timing that they are comfortable with regarding when the move should happen.
Benefits of Assisted Living
When discussing assisted living with your loved ones, the focus should always be on the positive aspects of what the move can provide. Examples include 24/7 safety supervision, meals, transportation, assistance with activities of daily living, activities and socialization, and medical providers that make on-site visits, to name just a few.
When the time comes that your loved one needs assisted living, Contact Jennifer to help you and your family find the right care option for your loved one!
As the owner of Assisted Living Locators Annapolis, Jennifer McAndrews provides a no-cost, placement and referral service that offers the best senior care options, information, and resources available. She has dedicated her career to serving seniors which includes experience as a home care agency owner for 13 years. Jennifer joined Assisted Living Locators to assist families navigate the ever-changing demands of caring for an aging loved one.
Jenm@assistedlivinglocators.com
Other articles in the Sandwich Generation series
The first article, "My Sandwich Generation Experience: The Emotional Rollercoaster," was about Macaroni KID publisher Laura McElwain Colquhoun's experience in the Sandwich Generation, when she cared for her ill father and her young child at the same time.
The second article, "Admitted vs. Observed Hospital Stays" explained the differences between the two types hospital stays and how you can support your loved ones during hospital stays.
The third article, "What Happens Upon Hospital Discharge?" discussed what to expect after loved ones are discharged from the hospital and how we can help avert a return to the hospital.
The fifth and last article will be about helping your loved ones with wills and estates, coming out in August.
