Determining whether or not an aging loved one has the ability to live alone can be traumatic. This is especially true when mom or grandma is begging you to let her stay in the home she loves. However, the paradigm for senior living communities is undergoing a revolutionary change.

We have seen time and time again how living in our compassionate and vibrant senior living communities has enhanced the lives of our residents.

Here are 5 signs that it might be no longer healthy or safe for your senior loved one to live alone.

Increased disorientation

We all experience "senior moments" and they are worthy of a good laugh. However, as dementia or Alzheimer's progresses, these "senior moments" are no longer a joke. They can result in very dangerous situations, and can place your parent or grandparent in a vulnerable position.

If your loved one experiences incidences where they were unsure of how to get home from a familiar location, found wandering around their neighborhood, or unable to recognize familiar people, places or things, it's time to consider looking in to more advanced memory care options.

In the first phases, an in-home care provider may be enough. A senior living community that is uniquely designed to attend to seniors with cognitive issues is the best option for care as disorientation progresses.

Related: Communication Techniques to Connect with People who have Dementia

Medication reminders

Most seniors are on more medications than the "Days-of-the-Week" organizers can handle. Combine this with memory problems and you have a medically dangerous combination. Forgetting to take medication, or taking more than one day's worth, can have disastrous effects. If you see a lapse in their medication consumption, begin thinking about alternative living arrangements.

General well-being is suffering

When you spend time with your family members, how do they seem? Do they appear well-groomed, recently bathed, and dressed in laundered clothes? Or do they appear haggard or unkempt? Note their energy level. Does your previously vibrant aunt seem listless, depressed or uninterested in life?

All of these are signs that your loved one's physical or mental capabilities might be beginning to slip. Extra care, whether in their home or via a residential senior community is the next step to ensuring their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

The cupboards are bare

When you visit your senior loved ones, take a peek in the refrigerator and pantry. Does it look like meals are being eaten regularly? Or, do you notice that the shelves seem bare, or the refrigerator is filled with more rotting than fresh food?

If it doesn't seem like your parent(s) or grandparent(s) are eating nutritious meals on a regular basis, you should take action immediately. Seniors are especially prone to malnutrition due to physical mobility issues and/or dementia.

Is the house clean and safe?

It can be startling to walk into your grandmother's home and see dirt, grime and clutter. Physical ailments, failing eyesight, depression, and memory issues can have a dramatic effect on a previously meticulous housekeeper. Clutter-free senior living spaces prevent trip and fall hazards.

A clean environment is important for health and hygiene. Also, a senior's home needs to be remodeled so it is safely accessible. If this isn't physically or fiscally impossible, a senior living community will provide a safe, clean, and bright environment where your senior can live without health and safety hazards.

Related: Downsizing With Your Elderly Loved One

If you have noticed any of the above signs in your aging love one, please contact Senior Solutions. Make an appointment to tour any of our state-of-the art Georgia and Tennessee senior living communities, dedicated to taking holistic care of our senior residents.