When To Consider Upgrading Or Changing Your Independent Living Option

Aging comes at different paces, while some may show changes in behavior, needs, preferences, and priorities. Most times, considering an upgrade may be necessary especially when it is focused on changing living arrangements. Our aged parents may also require upgrading or modifying ILO arrangements to another but there are key factors to consider when upgrading their ILO and when to change ILO services.

Key FactorsTo Consider When Changing Your ILO

There are no specific laws or fast rules for when to change ILO services to any other living option. Some aged ones stay healthy and active for decades into their retirement, while others aren’t and will need extra help earlier than that.

You may want to consider these key factors:

• Physical Changes: These could come in various forms such as bad eyesight which disrupt their day-to-day activities including driving, climbing the stairs, or taking care of their basic needs like bathing. Other health challenges that are clear signs that it’s time to transition are multiple or serious medical problems, such as Parkinson’s disease. It plays a crucial role in facilitating the process of transitioning to a new ILO provider. As the health condition deteriorates, this aged one will need more day-to-day help such as cooking, cleaning, or personal care. After clearly observing your health and physical factors, it might be the right time to look into modifying ILO arrangements to better suit your needs.
• Cognitive Factors: This could also be in line with the health factors. In this case, signs may include impaired hearing, forgetfulness, loss of memory, or confusion. When these become more frequent or prolonged, it starts having a serious impact on the quality of life and increasing the need to consider upgrading ILO housing from independent living to another living arrangement. 
• Depression or Social Isolation: There are situations where spouses die and their partner falls into depression. The surviving partner will struggle to carry out their daily activities alone and may be unable to cope or come to terms with the death of their partner. Also, isolation and loneliness are detrimental to one’s mental health. In this condition, upgrading your ILO housing is essential. It may be time to explore housing that fosters more social interaction with other aged ones which offers a more vibrant community life and may provide an enriching social connection with other residents. 
• Customer Service and Responsiveness: In a few cases, the reason for transitioning to a new ILO provider isn’t with the services or the housing but with the provider itself. Maybe you’ve found that your current ILO provider lacks efficiency, transparency, unresponsiveness, or fails to deliver on promised services. In such cases, transitioning to a new Independent Living Option provider may be the best option.
• Safety, Security, and Comfortability: The safety, security, and comfortability of these aged ones need to be properly evaluated. Before moving to a new living arrangement, regularly evaluating ILO progress is crucial for ensuring long-term satisfaction.

You could ask: 

1. Have there been more home accidents than usual?
2. Is the security in the neighborhood compatible?
3. Are the amenities still durable?

You have to look out for safe and conducive living conditions tips such as installing handrails, or better still they should stay in a living arrangement where there are no stairs to avoid missed steps and falling. Also upgrading lighting, or modifying bathrooms and kitchens for easier access.

Taking this into consideration, you can spot areas where improvements are needed and make effective changes. After evaluations, you may be left with the option of upgrading or modifying your current arrangements, while in others, it could mean transitioning to a new ILO provider.

Conclusion 

ILO gives you the option to select your living environment and housing arrangement taking into consideration the necessary support that you want. However, some scenarios call for desperate measures such as physical and cognitive changes, depression and social isolation, poor customer service, and insecurity. Hence, modifying ILO arrangements and being open to adjustments is important to ensure that your living situation continues to support your independence and quality of life.