My elderly mother has anxiety disorder and is fine when feeling well but uncontrollable when ill. Is it time for assisted living?

Assisted living is restricted to those who can care for themselves but require help with meals, personal hygiene, housekeeping and some routine items such as medications. If your mother's periodic illness requires more care than this, consider other options such as an in home health care agency during those times when additional support is necessary. You may also choose to look into local board and care homes or perhaps a more extensive medical assessment is in order from her healthcare provider or a geriatric care manager. A GCM (www.caremanager.org) can also provide more information for local long term care options.