Moving a parent or another elderly relative to an assisted living community or a care setting where they will be able to get the support and care that they need as they get older can be a tough time. This can be especially true if they are suffering from conditions such as dementia, which can make the whole process even more confusing for them. While care settings are equipped to help with the transition and most seniors will settle in and get used to their new home after some time, it can take a while.
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Give it Time
The first thing to do is make sure that you give the whole situation plenty of time. A slower move into memory care near me might be a better choice compared to something rushed. Allow your relative to take their time with packing and preparing for the move and pay several visits before the final moving day in order to help them get used to their new surroundings. After they have moved in, don’t expect them to settle straight away no matter how great the facilities are; it might be a few weeks or even months before they start to feel more at home.
Take Familiar Items
It can be tempting to buy your parent or relative a lot of new things to take to their new home with them. However, replacing items that they are familiar with can sometimes do more harm than good, as they are in even more of an unfamiliar setting. Even if the items are old and worn, it can be helpful to be surrounded with familiar belongings when moving into a new place, helping to make it a home faster and ease their transition.
Visit Often
Visiting as much as you can help a lot of seniors make an easier transition into an assisted living or care facility of some kind. They are going to be in an unfamiliar environment surrounded by people that they don’t know, so sometimes the best thing for them is to see the familiar face of somebody who cares for them. Experts suggest visiting more often than you normally would, if you can, to help your parent or relative avoid feeling abandoned and lonely.
Prepare for Setbacks
Finally, prepare for setbacks throughout the transition and make sure that you are ready to handle them. It’s not uncommon for seniors to settle in for a while only to go back to feeling homesick and unsure as to whether or not they feel at home in their new place. This might be something that happens a few times after the move, and you will be able to work together with other family members and caregivers to help deal with it. Offer your support and remember that this is quite a common part of the adjustment process for many seniors.
Moving to a community or facility where they can access the care and support that they need is often essential for some seniors. If you are helping a senior parent or relative move, keep these tips in mind to help make their adjustment process easier.
