Quick Summary: Wondering if it’s time for assisted living care? This guide reviews five questions New Jersey caregivers should ask—including changes in daily activities, medication management, and mental health changes—to determine if assisted living is right for your loved one. Discover the benefits of assisted living and explore senior housing options at Lester Senior Living, JCHC’s assisted living community in Whippany, NJ, serving families of all faiths.

Watching our parents and loved ones age can catch us off guard.

During Hanukkah, you’re laughing with Mom in the kitchen while frying latkes. But at Passover, she left the stove on and forgot to take her medication. On your last visit, Dad was leading blessings and laughing with the grandkids. A few months later, he seems irritable and withdrawn, getting lost in the conversation.

You begin to wonder: Do my parents need assisted living care?

At Jewish Community Housing Corporation, we’ve been helping Northern New Jersey families from all faiths and all walks of life answer this question for nearly 45 years. Our Lester Senior Living community offers seniors the support they need to live with dignity, purpose, and connection.

To help you determine what’s best for your loved one, we’ve compiled this guide to exploring assisted living options, with advice on how to identify the signs that more support may be needed.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is designed for older adults who are still mostly independent, but may need additional help with self-care needs such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and medication management.

Some may picture assisted living as a “nursing home,” a clinical, hospital-like facility. However, many assisted living communities offer a more welcoming, residential environment with engaging activities, upgraded amenities, and a more active lifestyle.

JCHC offers multiple different types of senior housing options. Our Lester Senior Living Community in Whippany, NJ, offers beautifully decorated one-bedroom and two-bedroom assisted living apartments. We offer a wide variety of engaging activities, from fitness and art classes to our well-stocked library and newly renovated movie theater. Contact our team for a visit to see all of our activities and amenities.

Lester Senior Living allows seniors to maintain their independence, dignity, and individual freedom to live how they want and spend time doing things they enjoy, while providing the extra support they need to thrive.

Is assisted living care the right next step? Here are some helpful questions to help you evaluate the level of support your loved one needs.

Question 1: Does Your Loved One Need Help With Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?

If you begin to notice that your loved one has stopped taking care of themselves as well as they used to, they may need assisted living care for support with ADLs.

Healthcare providers use two main groups of ADLs to evaluate an individual’s well-being, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Basic ADLs include essential functions for daily living. Instrumental ADLs include tasks that involve more complex thinking.

Examples of Basic ADLs:

• Bathing
• Personal hygiene
• Toileting
• Eating and feeding
• Dressing
• Moving and transferring

Examples of Instrumental ADLs:

• Managing money
• Managing household chores
• Managing health needs
• Preparing meals
• Communicating via phone or computer
• Managing transportation
• Shopping for basic needs

Many seniors may need help with instrumental ADLs, but can still manage basic ADLs. These needs may change over time. Consult with your loved one’s healthcare provider to discuss any concerns you may have.

Question 2: Has Your Loved One Skipped Their Medication?

More than 40% of adults over 65 take five or more prescription medications, creating a greater likelihood for dangerous medication errors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 600,000 older adults visit emergency rooms each year for adverse drug events, more than twice as often as younger people.

Some of the most common medication errors for older adults include:

• Taking the wrong dosage
• Drug interactions
• Incorrect timing or missed dosage
• Improperly stored medications, such as insulin, which needs to be refrigerated
• Miscommunication about medication changes

Fortunately, assisted living communities can help older adults keep track of their medications, ensure they follow their doctor’s recommendations, and identify possible drug interactions before they happen. Assisted living also offers 24/7 care, so older adults can get help immediately if needed.

Question 3: Have You Noticed Memory Loss, Confusion, Or Mood Swings?

Have you noticed your loved one asking you to repeat questions over and over? Have they gotten lost going to a familiar place? Has their personality changed? These may be signs of cognitive decline.

Nearly one-third of all adults over age 65 experience some form of cognitive impairment, and the risk of cognitive impairment increases exponentially as they age.

In addition to signs of dementia, older adults often don’t receive the support they need for their mental health. Of the seven million older adults living with depression, 66% are not receiving treatment, according to the National Council on Aging.

Thankfully, assisted living care provides opportunities for socialization, increased physical activity, and mental stimulation, all of which can help to reduce dementia risk. Assisted living communities offer a wide range of meaningful activities, which can be especially beneficial for adults with dementia.

Question 4: Have You Noticed Any Physical Changes?

While cognitive and mental health changes may be more subtle, some obvious physical signs may also point to a need for assisted living care.

If you notice your loved one seems much thinner, it may be a sign of other underlying issues. Unexplained weight loss is common for seniors, with one in four experiencing considerable weight loss within six to 12 months.

Unexplained weight loss among older adults may indicate a chronic health condition, such as hyperthyroidism, cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. Medication side effects may also lead to changes in diet or appetite.

In addition to possible health-related causes, unexplained weight loss may indicate that your loved one is fatigued or depressed. They may also be experiencing challenges with shopping or preparing meals.

Lester Senior Living takes care of meal-planning and cooking for older adults who may need help to maintain proper nutrition. We have a kosher kitchen and dining room on-site so residents can feel comfortable and maintain their faith traditions. Even for those who don’t observe kosher, sharing a meal is an easy way to prevent isolation and form meaningful connections.

Question 5: Has Caring For Your Aging Parents Become Too Much To Handle On Your Own?

These signs can help you determine if your loved one needs assisted living. Now, take a moment to think about the impact caring for your aging parents has made on your own life.

Are you feeling overwhelmed or burnt out? Have you had to take a leave of absence from work to manage caregiving responsibilities? Did you cancel vacation plans this year because you can’t find anyone to check in on Mom?

The Cleveland Clinic reports that more than 60% of caregivers experience symptoms of burnout. Studies show that nearly half of caregivers are experiencing depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues.

Your own health and well-being are important, too. If the stress, costs, and time commitment of caregiving have become too much to handle on your own, it may be time to consider what’s best for both you and your loved one.

Assisted Living Options at JCHC for New Jersey Seniors

At JCHC, we offer assisted living care that strikes the perfect balance between independence and personalized support. Our team takes a holistic approach to caring for the whole person—ensuring physical, emotional, and social well-being. For older adults who need more support for both basic and instrumental ADLs, we provide personalized care at their own pace, so they can maintain autonomy.

Assisted living at JCHC is not “putting someone in a home”—it’s a welcoming environment with the support, care, comfort, and connection they need to make it their home. It’s giving them an opportunity to thrive, participate in new activities, or enjoy their favorite hobbies. It’s making new friends and socializing, instead of feeling isolated at home. And, for both of you, it’s having caring support by your side so you can live life to the fullest.

We understand that the transition into assisted living can be difficult, and our team is here to walk alongside you and your loved one every step of the way. Contact our team at any time, whenever you’re ready to learn more about our compassionate, welcoming community.