How to Determine if You Are Ready to Move to an Assisted Living Facility

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Ask yourself if you are feeling isolated or depressed.

   Many of your friends may have moved or passed away, and assisted living facilities can offer you group activities and social interaction.
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   Step 2: Determine if you have any fears living alone.

   Are you scared that you might fall and not have one to help you? Do you have difficulty getting in and out of the tub or onto the toilet? Are you afraid at night that a stranger may come to the door? Any of these concerns can be addressed by choosing to live in an assisted living facility. ,, Memory loss can mean forgotten medication, stovetop left on, or becoming disoriented when you are out of the home.
   
   All of these can be dangerous, but if you lived in an assisted living facility, you would have care and needed supervision. , You may choose an independent retirement community at the start, but you can move over to an assisted living facility or nursing home if you have any health complications. , Many facilities can give you a ride to and from public locations as needed as part of your payment rate. , If you can no longer mow or maintain the yard, if cleaning or housework is hard or painful for you to accomplish, or if shopping is difficult for you to do, these all may be signs that you are ready for assisted living. , Have you fallen victim to a scam? Are you having a hard time balancing your checkbook? , Living by yourself can lead to skipping meals because you do not want to cook for just one person and/or not feeling like bathing, showering, shaving or other general hygiene tasks.
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   Step 3: Think about moving into an assisted living facility if your spouse needs more care than you can give him or her by yourself.

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   Step 4: Be honest with yourself whether or not you have any issues with memory loss.

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   Step 5: Realize that you can transition facilities as your needs change.

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   Step 6: Consider assisted living if you are no longer able to drive for yourself.

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   Step 7: Think about assisted living if everyday chores become difficult for you.

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   Step 8: Ask yourself if you have made poor financial decisions lately.

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   Step 9: Determine if your health or hygiene is suffering.

Detailed Guide

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