How do you know when you’re ready to transition to assisted living?

By Mimi Vanderhaven

Making the decision to transition to an assisted living community comes with questions, including: How do you know when it’s time? The staff at SouthWest Commons Assisted Living in Strongsville helps you make those decisions and understands that every person, every family, and every life experience is different.

“It’s important to focus on the individual,” says Community Director and RN Katie Delligatti, at SouthWest Commons. “And we work closely with the family so we are sure we are addressing everyone’s needs. The main goal is the resident’s health and happiness.”

The staff at SouthWest Commons will guide you on this journey, and it all starts with answering some important questions.

Evaluate Needs
Often the desire to stay at home can mask the daily struggles that you or a loved one are experiencing. Having an honest conversation can help evaluate whether there is enough help and care available on a daily basis to make staying at home an option. If the answer is “no,” it’s time to make the call.

Family Strain
When an aging loved one is on their own, it creates constant stress and strain—not just for that individual, but also for the family. The worry and expense of daily management of home aides and family visits, along with managing your own schedule, is overwhelming. SouthWest Commons takes that worry and stress away for everyone and visits can go back to being about family time.

Social Interaction
Gerontological research shows that the greatest factor causing functional decline in older people, other than the physical aspects of aging, is social isolation. If a person has become isolated at home, it may be time to think about assisted living. People who are still able to care for themselves physically are often so focused on getting through the day that they neglect the stimulation only social interaction can provide.

SouthWest Commons residents can participate in a full range of activities with their neighbors, or they can enjoy the privacy of their own apartment home. Residents can also be part of the greater community by traveling to community events and outings courtesy of the community van.

Full-time Registered Nurse
Doctors often advise nursing care for elderly patients who aren’t managing well on their own. However, help with everyday activities like dressing, bathing, grooming and taking medication along with memory care support do not require a nurse. When needed, a full-time registered nurse is always available at SouthWest Commons.

The community also supports residents in need of memory care. “Our experience shows that many to most seniors with dementia can succeed here with a customized plan of care that avoids a lockdown unit by using our unique building design features and specialized programming,” Katie says.

Special Events and Contact Information
A large part of the care enjoyed at SouthWest Commons revolves around daily activities along with events and celebrations that happen throughout the year. Actively engaging residents, both physically and mentally, stimulates bodies and brains. And they have a lot of fun.

“We don’t focus on what a resident is losing, we focus on what they gain here,” says Katie. “Our residents are much more active than they would be at home. They’re enjoying life again.”

SouthWest Commons Assisted Living is located at 18090 Pearl Road in Strongsville. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 440-238-3777, check the website at LifeServicesAssistedLiving.com, or find them on Facebook.