Am I Ready for Independent or Assisted Living?
It’s hard to know when you or a loved one is ready to move into an independent or assisted living community. It’s important to examine your daily life, and think about whether certain daily tasks have started to become more difficult to manage.
Some things to consider*:
Have you noticed any undesirable changes in your mobility?
Yes
No
Have you fallen in the last 3 months?
Yes
No
Do find it difficult to walk more than a few blocks?
Yes
No
Do you have trouble walking on an uneven surface, like grass, dirt roads, brick walkways, or sidewalks with curbs?
Yes
No
Is it difficult to stand up from a low, soft couch?
Yes
No
Is it difficult to pick up a piece of clothing from the floor from a standing position?
Yes
No
Do you currently experience difficulty tying your shoes or chopping vegetables?
Yes
No
Do you have trouble keeping track of time?
Yes
No
Do you sometimes have problems understanding your monthly bills or figuring out where to call if you have a problem?
Yes
No
Do you frequently have trouble dialing familiar numbers (such as a family member or your doctor) without losing your place or misdialing?
Yes
No
Would you have difficulty giving someone important information about yourself in case of emergency?
Yes
No
If you answered yes to more than 2 or 3 of the questions above it may be time to start a conversation with a loved one or your primary care physician about transitioning to an independent or assisted living community.
While it is certainly among life’s most difficult decisions, most of our residents have found a great deal of relief and opportunity in the support and resources that our community provides, and they were glad that they had made the right choice.
* The questions above are based on The Independent Living Assessment, an assessment developed by a team of investigators from the Health and Disability Research Institute at the Boston University School of Public Health. To access the complete assessment, please visit www.theindependentlivingassessment.com.
