Over 15 million people across the nation devote their lives to caring for loved ones who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The cost of being a caregiver is high, and not just in terms of monetary expenditures. The emotional, physical and mental burden is a great deal to bear, and it can cause illness in the caregiver as well.

For many people, assisted living facilities are the best answer, but how do you know if it’s the right time? Learn the signs that your loved one may need help from an assisted living facility, and how an elder law attorney can help you prepare for the bills you need to pay.

Problems with Wandering

People with dementia have a disconcerting and indeed, dangerous tendency to wander. This can happen suddenly, without warning, and can present life-threatening dangers. You could simply go to the bathroom and return to find your loved one in the street. Wandering is a clear sign that help is needed.

Late-Day Mood Swings

People with Alzheimer’s tend to exhibit severe mood swings and agitation in the later part of the day, which is why this tendency is called “Sundowner syndrome.” It can be very disruptive to routines, and be quite stressful. Assisted Living facilities have people trained to deal with such issues.

Aggressive Behavior

If your loved one is turning aggressive, be it verbal abuse, physical assaults or even sexually aggressive behavior, this is a sign that dementia may be turning more degenerative than you can handle. If you are suffering from or starting to resent your loved one’s aggressive behavior, placement may be your best option.

Inability to Keep the Home Safe

Do you feel like you constantly have to watch your senior relative to keep them safe? Is it dangerous to leave them alone just for a few minutes to run to the kitchen or bathroom? You can’t be with them all the time—you have a life to live of your own. If safety issues are becoming serious, it may be time to consider alternative care.

Your Deteriorating Health

Are you living in a constant state of stress and worry? Is it causing negative effects on your health? Are you unable to maintain the level of care your loved one needs without putting your own physical and mental health and safety at risk? There’s no shame in this, and assisted living can provide the answer you need.

Paying for Assisted Living

One of the primary worries of placing loved ones in assisted living is the cost. It is expensive and requires detailed and extensive planning to make sure that your loved one is properly cared for, as well as having their freedom and rights protected. This is something that requires specialized knowledge and experience to accomplish.

An accomplished, experienced and qualified elder law attorney can be the answer to these problems. If you need help with estate planning, asset protection, and paying for assisted living, Paul Stano can help. Read about our services, and give us a call for more information and help today.