Did You Know Moving Into Assisted Living Early Can Enrich Your Life?

You’re doing fine.

You have no trouble dressing or bathing. Sometimes, you even break out your old cookbook and create some of your family’s favorite meals. 

But you have noticed a few activities have become more challenging. It’s difficult to keep up with household chores, and taking care of the yard leaves you with a terrible backache.

Your family members have grown increasingly worried about you. They’ve noticed that you’ve slowed down significantly.

Assisted living may not be on your radar yet, but there are several tangible benefits for moving into assisted living early.

If someone you love is a senior, you may be wondering when it’s appropriate to discuss assisted living, and whether it is best to approach the subject before an emergency occurs.

At Coastal Pointe, not only do we provide the 24/7 support you or your loved one needs, but we also understand the importance of being treated with dignity and respect. That’s why we value our residents, providing peace of mind for the entire family. Our assisted living community in Shallotte features a busy slate of social activities and a welcoming environment. Ask us about our flat-free pricing when you schedule a tour.

Moving Into Assisted Living Early: Definition and Benefits:

What Does “Early” Mean When It Comes to Moving to Assisted Living?”

First, we want to be clear that no one age defines when you should go to assisted living. That is an extremely individualized decision. Therefore, “early” doesn’t have a set age.

However, what “early” does mean is that it’s beneficial to move to assisted living before a medical or safety crisis occurs. Waiting not only causes unnecessary delays, but it could place your loved one at greater risk of falling or of forgetting vital medications.

What Are the Benefits of Moving Into Assisted Living Sooner?

We know that moving into assisted living is not always easy. It represents a dramatic change in your life or the life of your loved one. Moving into assisted living early can help make those adjustments smoother and less stressful.

Following are some additional benefits of moving into assisted living earlier:

• A safer environment—not only with quick access to emergency help, but also with a significantly lower risk of falling.
• More time to establish social connections. These improve not only your mental health but your physical health as well. 
• Better access to proactive care. Medication management, nutritious meals and exercise programs can go a long way toward preventing major health problems. This proactive care can also help stabilize any chronic conditions (such as diabetes and COPD), preventing the need for extensive intervention later. 
• More time to plan financially. There are several different ways to pay for assisted living, and getting into a community earlier gives you time to prepare and create a plan to cover expenses.
  
  

What Are the Risks of Delaying a Move to Assisted Living?

Did you know that 14 million seniors experience a fall each year, many of which result in injury? That’s roughly 1 in 4 older adults, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control.

If you delay moving your loved one into assisted living, they may face a higher risk of falls or other health emergencies. Not only does this risk place stress upon your peace of mind, but it also places you at greater risk of caregiver burnout. However, in an assisted living community in Shallotte like Coastal Pointe, they have 24/7 support available at the press of a call button.

Other risks of delaying the move to assisted living include:

• Frequent hospitalizations
• Lack of social opportunities (which can lead to cognitive decline)
• Worse recovery after health events or hospitalizations

How Does an Early Move Into Assisted Living Impact the Adjustment Process?

Wouldn’t it be better to get to know your community, neighbors, and care team before an emergency happens? An early move into assisted living makes that possible. 

An early move makes adjusting to the new environment less stressful and traumatic. In addition, those who move before a crisis generally adapt faster. This is because they are more able to enjoy and participate in community life. 

When You Need Peace of Mind, Coastal Pointe Is Ready for You

Perhaps you have noticed your loved one slowing down, but they are still able to accomplish the tasks of daily living. Maybe you’ve debated with your sibling about how to best approach this next stage of your loved one’s life.

If you’re considering assisted living, maybe you’ve been wondering when to start the process.

At Coastal Pointe, we believe that starting the process to join an assisted living community is best done earlier than later. We stand ready to help answer all your questions. We know this is a big adjustment, but it’s time for your family to have the peace of mind that comes from knowing help is always at hand.

We invite you to take a tour and see for yourself why our residents love living at Coastal Pointe.