There are more than 55 million people living with dementia worldwide. This number continues to rise as our aging population increases.
It can be very hard to watch someone you love suffer from memory loss, and you will want to keep them safe and happy. In this case, moving them to a memory care facility is the best option.
This article gives you 9 tips on how you can make the transition to assisted living as easy and smooth as possible. Keep reading to find out more.
1. Research the Facility
The priority when moving a loved one into memory care is that you choose the right facility. Make sure that the space has everything that they will need and that it suits their personality.
You may need to visit several memory care options before settling on the right one. Make a clear list of things you are looking for before you go, as this will help you narrow down which place fits the best.
Look at the different services that the facility provides, and what level of care. Some residents will need 24-hour care and constant supervision. Others will only need support with tasks like cooking and cleaning.
Also, consider the kinds of therapies they offer to support memory degeneration.
2. Plan Your Conversation
Don’t have a spontaneous conversation about moving your loved one to elderly care. Try and engineer the conversation so that it is at their best time of day when they are the most lucid.
Think of any immediate questions that they might have, and prepare clear answers to them. It may also help to have visual aids, like brochures to give them a better idea of where they will be staying.
They may also not remember the initial conversation if their memory is already poor. So it is important that you prepare a simple script for all family members to give when talking about the move.
3. Acknowledge Their Feelings
Talking to a loved one about moving to a memory care community may be a difficult conversation. They may resist the move, feeling that they prefer their home environment.
It is already a very confusing and scary thing to be losing their memory. So changing their home can be a big ask. Remember to acknowledge how they feel and try to be sympathetic to any anger or sadness they express.
4. Plan the Move
On the day that you are moving, try and do it during the hours that they are most alert. Try and fit it around their usual daily schedule to the best of your ability.
Allow them time to adjust to their new living space before meeting other residents or joining in activities. They are likely to feel tired and irritable after moving, focus on letting them rest.
5. Pack for Them
By the time a person needs to move to a memory care facility, it is unlikely that they will be able to pack for themselves. Not only is it a very physical task, but it is also very emotionally charged.
Chances are that they will already feel anxious and overwhelmed about moving. So take this burden off of their shoulders and do the packing for them.
If they show a desire to get involved, give them a meaningful task like choosing the pictures for their room. This will allow them to feel included, without placing unnecessary stress on them.
Some types of memory care facilities will have rules about what you can and can’t bring to the center. So make sure you have a clear list of what they allow before you start packing.
6. Interact with Care Staff
Getting to know the staff at the facility before your loved one moves there is a great idea. Ask them questions like how they will help with the transition and how they will keep you updated.
Encourage them to send you photos of your loved ones engaging in activities. This way you can see how they are settling in, even if you live further away.
Also, always express how grateful you are to them for supporting your loved ones. Carers do a hard and valuable job, so appreciating them is very important.
7. Personalize Their Space
When settling into their new space, it is important to make their room feel as familiar as possible. Surrounding them with photos, trinkets, and home comforts will make them feel welcome.
This will help ease the transition, as it can often be disorienting to be in an unfamiliar place. But try not to overcrowd the space. Too much clutter or choice of clothes, for example, can lead to frustration or confusion.
You can also opt for other sensory cues to help them feel at home. If they have certain music or sounds they enjoy, try and include this in their space.
Another idea is to use the smells that they have at home. For example, washing their items with their usual detergent will help make them feel safe. You could also try diffusers or bring them flowers.
8. Visiting Schedule
Care facilities follow an activity schedule to make the resident’s life more peaceful. The same goes for visiting days and times for family and friends. Even with advanced memory loss, it is better for things to happen at the same time and place.
Try and organize, if possible, that the same people go on the same days and times to visit. This predictable schedule helps your loved one feel less anxious or stressed.
9. Be Patient
The last and most important thing to remember when moving a loved one into memory care is to be patient. The transition can be hard for everyone involved, so don’t stress if it isn’t smooth for the first few weeks.
If you have chosen the right memory care facility then they will take excellent care of your loved one. They will have staff to help you handle the process and keep your relative safe.
Remember to also take good care of yourself throughout the process. It can be very emotional to move someone you care about into elderly care, so focus on your sleep and relaxation.
You will be more present and supportive of your loved one if you have taken care of yourself.
Trust Our Memory Care Facility
Moving a loved one into a memory care facility can be a difficult process. But by following some of the points in this article, we hope you can make the transition as smooth as possible.
If you are looking for a memory care facility for your loved one, choose Bluegrass Senior Living. Our organization focuses on serving our local communities by empowering vulnerable residents.
We are passionate about providing top-quality support and care to those who need us. Get in touch with us today to schedule a tour of our beautiful senior living facility.