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This is a question I am often
asked, and fortunately, there
are concrete signs to guide
those concerned about a sen-
ior. Once these are noted,
making preparations for the
next stage is imperative, I
believe, since change can
occur very quickly. As you
know from many of my writ-
ings, our family investigated
and did “behind the scenes”
reconnaissance two years
before our mom was directed
by her physician to move to
an assisted living facility as
soon as possible. This made
our transition that much less
stressful, so please look ahead
if you are caring for or have
an aging parent.
The concrete signs that
assistance is necessary may
include mom or dad rarely
changing out of their bed-
clothes, or even wear the
same street clothes daily; not
showering or bathing regular-
ly; not preparing meals for
themselves; hoarding papers
or other items; driving errati-
cally or having “minor acci-
dents” while driving or walk-
ing; forgetting to take med-
ications; leaving pots on stove
cooking. Needless to say, as
these become more and more
prevalent, those we love are
in increasing danger.
Families need to meet and
openly discuss what is best
for their parent/s. As difficult
as it is, imagine how much
worse we would feel if we
failed to meet this responsibil-
ity. My mother always told me
that “one mother can take
care of 5 children, but 5 chil-
dren cannot take care of one
mother!” Although that isn’t
quite true, I understand the
difficulty each generation has
caring for the generation
above, since life is so complex
and demanding!
Assisted living offers help
with daily personal tasks,
immediate health care, med-
ication administration, meals
and snacks, as well as thera-
pies as determined necessary.
Additionally, and again,
something I discuss regularly,
living together provides
camaraderie, stimulation and
personal enjoyment for those
we so dearly love.
Please contact me if I can
be of “assistance” to you as
you move or move your par-
ent to a senior placement.
Carol Cozewith and I are
SENIOR ASSISTANTS,
and can
be reached at
908-883-0469
or
ellynmantell@aol.com.
WHEN DOES MY PARENT NEED
ASSISTED LIVING?
By: Ellyn Mantell
E V E R L A S T I N G C A R E
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of Choice
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Heritage
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95 Mt. Airy Road
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
908.766.0522 • SHMPCEMETERY.COM
Generations of
Gracious Care
PAGE 39
Spotlight on
“SeniorS”
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