Assisted living care is designed for older adults who need help and support with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. It can be a great option for those who want to safely maintain their independence and live in a community setting while receiving the support they need.

However, there may come a point when an individual needs more comprehensive care than this. Often, seniors and their families wait too long to make the transition, leading to increased stress for family caregivers, more risk for the individual receiving care, and the need for a higher level of care when they do decide to move to senior living.

As a Tennessee-based assisted living provider, The Pavilion Senior Living’s goal is to improve the quality of life of those we serve. We do this by helping individuals and families navigate care options to find the level that best suits their needs. To help you on your senior living journey, we are sharing reasons to consider assisted living care and care options for those needing more comprehensive support.

Signs It’s Time for Assisted Living Care 

Difficulty with the Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

If an older adult has trouble performing daily activities like bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom, they could benefit from the supportive environment assisted living care provides.

Changes in Physical and Cognitive Abilities

As we age, our physical and cognitive abilities may decline. If an older adult is experiencing changes that make it difficult for them to perform daily activities or remember important information, assisted living communities provide the necessary support and assistance.

Social Isolation

Aging adults who live alone are at a higher risk of feeling lonely or experiencing social isolation, leading to depression and other mental health conditions. Assisted living communities provide convenient opportunities for individuals to socialize and connect within a supportive environment.

Signs a Person Needs More Comprehensive Care

Health Concerns

If an older adult is experiencing health problems or has chronic conditions that require regular monitoring or assistance, they may need care beyond what assisted living provides. In this case, skilled nursing services may be a better fit. Unlike assisted living, skilled nursing care refers to care or treatment that can only be performed by licensed nurses.

At The Pavilion Senior Living, our Lebanon, Tennessee, community offers skilled nursing care, which provides 24-hour expert care and services ranging from assistance with the activities of daily living to wellness programming. In addition, our skilled nursing community has a licensed physician that supervises each resident’s care and therapy services, including speech, occupational, and physical therapies. Each of our care plans is personalized to each resident and includes:

• 24-hour emergency care
• Medication monitoring and assistance
• Regular wellness checks
• On-site therapies
• Specialized care
• Ambulation

Memory Impairment or Dementia Diagnosis

The purpose of assisted living care is to support individuals with their daily routines while encouraging independence. However, if you or a loved one has recently received a dementia diagnosis, this is probably not the right senior living fit.

A more suitable level of senior living would be memory care because it provides specialized programming to support cognitive function that stimulates the mind and can help delay the progression of memory impairments.

At The Pavilion Senior Living, our communities offer compassionate memory care services in a safe and secure environment designed to meet the unique needs of each resident. All of the activities and programs we offer encourage engagement, connection, and social wellness. Our person-centered memory care services include:

• Specialized programming
• Secure living environment
• Assistance with the activities of daily living
• Access to caring and supportive team members
• Medication management

When considering your family’s senior living options, starting the process as early as possible is important. This gives you time to look into each level of care and find the right community that fits your needs and preferences.

If you are concerned that it may be too late for assisted living care, care options are still available. To learn more about our communities and the senior living options we offer, we encourage you to visit our website or contact a member of The Pavilion Senior Living team.