How to know when you need help

You’re having cereal for supper again because it’s too much trouble to cook for just one person.  You hesitate to go the basement to do the laundry, because if you fall—even if you don’t break something—there’s no one around to help you get up.  The medicated cream that you got from the doctor is helping that itchy rash on your back, but there’s no one to put the cream on your back when the itch starts in the middle of the night.   The hours seem long at home—especially when it’s such a chore to get out now—and old television shows have become your best friend.  Do any of these situations sound familiar to you? 

Working with all kinds of people over the last 30 years, I’ve learned that even when they know deep down in their heart that a change in living accommodations may not only give them extra help and security, but also help them find new friends to share their life, the decision to leave their home and move to an assisted living facility can be difficult.  If you are having more trouble with your own personal care, getting around the house or running errands, or if it’s just lonely being in the house that was once filled with the hubbub of family and friends, you may find that assisted living is something that deserves another look.

There are always choices when it comes to dealing with anything in life—and one of those things is deciding what to do if you think that a change of living accommodations might make sense for you.  You’re in charge.  It’s up to you to decide just where and when you want to make the move—or anything else for that matter

For questions and comments, you can call me at 847-825-1161, email me at audrey@summitofuptown.com , or write to me at The Summit of Uptown, 10 N. Summit Ave., Park Ridge, Ill 60068. Selected questions may be answered in future blog postings!

Happy Holidays!