Is Senior Living Right for My Loved One?

Assessing senior living options for your parents isn’t as black-and-white as it may seem. It’s not a question of whether or not your mom and dad can still live alone. Rather, it’s a question of if your parents are thriving in their current residence.

Has laundry, cleaning, and yard work become a burden? Do they socialize with friends less than they would like? Does the onset of colder weather keep them isolated at home? Are they getting the chance to try new things, learn, and grow?

Moving to senior living isn’t the end of anything. Rather, it’s the beginning of a new chapter full of opportunities your parents may not have imagined.

At The Oaks at Denville, we like to call that trading responsibility for possibilities. It’s our goal to give your loved one the support they need to truly thrive while making life as fulfilling and fun as possible. 

What does that look like exactly? It could be starting the day with a “strength and stretch” exercise class before heading home to enjoy coffee and a book from the on-site library on your balcony. They might then take a watercolor class before joining friends for a cooked-from-scratch meal, followed by a game of Rummikub or poker. There are dozens of options each day, all just a short walk away. 

Signs Your Loved One May Need Senior Living

Many older adults choose senior living even if they’re not experiencing distress of any kind. They want life to be a bit easier — and they also want life to be more lively and social. But if your loved one is experiencing any of the following signs, it may be time to begin assessing senior living options more seriously. 

• Bumps and bruising. Many homes are simply not set up for older adults. There are stairs to navigate, tub/shower combinations that are hard to get into, driveways that turn icy in winter, and other hazards. Frequent injuries are a sign that it’s become too much to handle — and unsafe.
• Medication mistakes. For seniors on multiple medications, it can be difficult to keep track of what time to take which medications — and whether or not to take them with food. Medication mistakes, however, can result in a hospital stay and are a strong indication that a change is in order.
• Difficulty driving. Even if your loved one is legally fit to drive, driving at night, in the rain, or in heavy traffic can all be challenging. If a reluctance to drive is keeping your loved one from enjoying life, that can be easily fixed by living in a place where everything you want or need is just a few minutes away.
• A significant change in appearance. Is your dad wearing the same clothes several days in a row? Has your mom lost weight? Even if they’re reluctant to admit it, these could be signs that the tasks of daily life — like cooking and laundry — have become a burden. A disheveled appearance can also be a sign of depression.
• Isolation. If your loved one lives alone, how often are they able to socialize with family and friends? People who feel isolated are more susceptible to a variety of both physical and mental health conditions. There’s a lot that can be done to alleviate loneliness, including embracing technology as a way to connect with others. Choosing a senior living community for your parents can put them in a better position to socialize and form relationships.

Assessing Senior Living Options

At The Oaks at Denville, we offer a variety of senior living options to provide the level of support your loved one needs, including the following:

• Independent Living is best suited to fit those who wish to maintain their active lifestyle but are looking to have a plan in place for the future. Plus, with maintenance-free living, there’s no need to worry about the little things. Days are filled with only the activities and passions your loved one enjoys.

• Assisted Living offers an engaging lifestyle supported by the compassionate care your loved one needs to thrive. We curate a personalized care program supporting each resident to encourage the highest level of independence possible.
• 24/7 care is available through our Skilled Nursing option, allowing your loved one a higher quality of life. Not only will they be supported by compassionate care, but they will have their needs met in a home-like environment.

Here’s a more in-depth look at what each level of care offers at The Oaks at Denville. Keep in mind that The Oaks at Denville is also a continuing care retirement community, meaning we offer the ability to change levels of care within the same campus should a higher level of care be needed. 

Living Your Best Life at The Oaks at Denville

Alongside the high-quality care provided at The Oaks at Denville, our long list of onsite amenities and activities allows your loved one to live vibrantly and meaningfully. Every day offers restaurant-style dining in multiple venues; access to a state-of-the-art fitness center and heated indoor pool; and the chance to enjoy walking paths, the beauty salon, a well-stocked library, and plenty of places to relax and socialize with others. That’s supplemented by an activities calendar boasting more than a dozen events each day, including everything from music meditation and yoga to happy hours and cornhole. 

If that all sounds like a good fit for your parents, it may be time to talk about what senior living could add to their lives. (Here’s a good article on 10 benefits of senior living to share with them.) Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have or, better yet, schedule a tour of our campus in Denville, New Jersey.