As your parent advances in age, there is a strong urge to take care of them on your own. However, being a caregiver can be a real challenge. Beyond assisting them with daily activities, such as dressing, bathing, and eating, senior citizens also need skilled nursing and medical care, which you can't provide.

While family caregiving is a rewarding experience, it can leave you anxious, overwhelmed, and physically and emotionally exhausted. In such a case, you need to consider getting help.

Here are five indicators that it's time to consider assisted living:

1. Time Management Issues

Caregiving starts with you. You should start by evaluating your lifestyle to see if there are vital signs that you need help. One of the common challenges faced by caregivers is balancing caregiving and other duties. If you have less time for yourself, friends, and other family members, then it's time to seek help.

2. Persistent Health Problems

As your parent advances in age, their immunity is significantly compromised. There is slow recovery from even minor health problems. As identified by helpguide.org, watching your parent suffer due to an illness can be psychologically daunting. It becomes even worse if you are not a medical professional and your help is limited. In such a case, assisted living community becomes the only option.

3. The Elderly Become More Needy

As the elderly relative's body becomes increasingly weak and their health deteriorates, caregiving becomes a burden. The seniors become less capable and independent, and you have you to be there throughout. As identified in a recent study, most caregivers start developing a wide range of mental health concerns, such as depression, feeling isolated, sadness, and anticipatory grief. If you find yourself in such a situation, you need to take your parent to an assisted living facility.

4. Chronic Conditions

Old age is associated with several chronic conditions, such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and osteoarthritis. Some of these ailments need regular monitoring by a health professional. In some instances, the conditions can be monitored at home. However, if your elderly loved one is getting to a critical stage, you need to consider taking them to an assisted living community.

5. If they Look Lonely

No matter how much you adore your elderly parent, you can't give them adequate company. As recently noted by the National Institute on Aging, companionship is vital to senior citizen's emotional health. Most of them require more opportunities for socialization. An assisted living community allows the elderly to connect with other residents and staff. They are also given an opportunity to participate in a wide range of enriching activities.

Conclusion

Moving your elder parent from home to an assisted living community is a major decision that you have to make. No matter how much you love your older relatives, taking them to an assisted living is one way of keeping them safe and socially, physically, and mentally healthy.