Should Mom or Dad Move to Senior Living in West Dundee, Illinois?

As your parents age, you’ll watch them go through many milestones: retirement, picking up their favorite hobbies and growing into the people they’re meant to be during this exciting time.

However, it can be difficult to gauge if senior living is a good choice for your parents’ lifestyle, whether they’re searching for post-retirement fulfillment or experiencing difficulties with daily living activities. There’s never a wrong time to consider transitioning to a senior living community in West Dundee, Illinois, but it’s important to start planning as early as possible to ensure your parents are comfortable and able to live the highest quality of life they can.

At The Woodlands at Canterfield, our luxury senior living community in West Dundee, Illinois, provides assisted living and memory care services that exceed expectations. We understand the uncertainty and the pressure that comes with making the right choice for the well-being of a parent, which is why we’re here to provide valuable information to help.

When Should My Parents Consider Senior Living?

Aging is a unique process for every individual, so it’s crucial to watch for any signs indicating that your mom or dad could benefit from senior living in West Dundee, Illinois. Even if both your parents are currently the picture of excellent health, keep an eye out in case they begin to have difficulty with the following issues:

Activities of Daily Living

Activities of daily living, otherwise known as ADLs, are the daily tasks a person needs to complete independently to maintain independence. These activities include:

• Bathing
• Personal Hygiene
• Dressing
• Mobility
• Continence

If you live near your parents, visit regularly to ensure they keep up with these crucial tasks. If you begin to notice any signs that they’re unable to keep up with ADLs, it could look something like:

• Your parent choosing inappropriate outfits
• One of your parents has stopped washing their hair or bathing regularly
• Your parent is having a difficult time moving from one place to another in their home

Assisted living communities provide the helping hand that many older adults need to keep up with ADLs and maintain their independence. If your parents begin to have trouble keeping up with ADLs on their own, it’s definitely time to consider assisted living. 

Cognitive Decline

Everyone experiences days when they might misplace things or forget names or dates. This is perfectly normal, and when it comes to age-related forgetfulness, it shouldn’t be a major sign of concern. However, there’s a difference between forgetting where you put your cell phone and discovering that your aging parent misplaced their cell phone by putting it in an odd place, like the freezer.

If your parent has shown signs of memory loss that interfere with their ability to go about their daily routine, socialize normally or take care of their personal wellness, they might be experiencing cognitive decline. In this case, taking them to a medical professional as soon as possible is paramount.

If one of your parents has been diagnosed with a form of dementia, it’s crucial to research memory care communities to ensure they will be safely taken care of and supported by a team of professionals.

Social Connection

Did you know that over one-fourth of adults over the age of 65 are considered socially isolated? Social isolation is one of the main health issues that older adults face, especially if they decide to age in place in their current homes. As people grow older, they face many challenges specific to their age group, making it difficult for them to socialize. For example, older adults are more likely to go through: 

• The loss of friends and family
• Age-related health issues
• Immediate family moving far away

If you’ve seen any indication that your parents are becoming lonelier or lack a strong social network, senior living in West Dundee, Illinois, could vastly improve their social well-being! Senior living communities implement activity groups and fun community events, encouraging residents to get to know one another and form meaningful connections with their neighbors. 

Purpose and Fulfillment

Retirement is a time that many of us in the workforce look forward to, but in some cases, retirement can bring boredom and a feeling of being lost. Without a work schedule to keep us busy, losing track of what holds true meaning in our lives can be easy.

Say you’ve noticed your parents have become less active after retirement. This could be a sign that they lack the purpose they need to enjoy a high-quality lifestyle. Senior living in West Dundee, Illinois, can enhance their fulfillment by providing convenient amenities and regularly engaging activities. 

To discover a luxury lifestyle in the heart of West Dundee, contact The Woodlands at Canterfield today!