Whether your loved one is moving from home or a skilled nursing facility, transitioning to memory care is often accompanied by stress and apprehension. But it doesn’t have to be a bad experience for you or your senior.
Preparing Ahead of the Move
Keep the dialogue open but streamlined: Depending on the state of her condition, you may need to remind your mom about the upcoming transition to memory care regularly. That may reduce the likelihood of panic or anxiety when moving day comes. And while it’s good to include family and friends in the discussion, important information should only come from a few individuals to avoid confusion or disorientation.
Pack for her: Going through treasured possessions and taking pictures off the walls can be an emotional endeavor. Ask your mom what items she’d like to take to memory care and pack them away for her while she’s at an appointment or busy with another activity. That may ease her mind about moving away from her current home.
Talk to her about her feelings: Moving to a memory care community may leave your mom feeling overwhelmed, afraid, angry or confused. Check in with her during the pre-move process and be an active listener. Allowing your mom to express her emotions openly will make her feel heard and validated.
Moving to Memory Care Within the Same Facility
Your dad may require a higher level of care than he’s receiving in a long-term or skilled nursing community, especially if his dementia progresses. Moving to an unfamiliar place, even within his current facility, can take its toll.
It’s important to review and clarify the quality of care your dad will receive in his new surroundings to ensure he gets the physical care and emotional support he requires.
Transitions may include:
- Home to care facility
- Home to the emergency room
- Care facility to the hospital
- Emergency room to an intensive care unit
All those shifts create disorientation for your dad, especially if he struggles with adapting to new surroundings. That’s why you must advocate for him to ensure he receives person-centric care.
Here are some necessities to consider:
- Ask questions. Memory care staff should educate and prepare you and your dad for the transition. Make sure you continue to check in with the staff before, during and after your dad’s move to monitor his progress.
- Talk about your dad’s treatment preferences. Discuss the short- and long-term goals of transitioning him to memory care. His voice needs to be heard so his caretakers can create an effective approach to manage his physical and emotional needs.
- Ensure there’s a collaborative effort. Your dad’s care team should maintain regular communication with his primary physician and other specialists, so he’s receiving consistent treatment.
Addressing the Post-Move Transition
Make your mom’s space her own: Decorating your mom’s room with her mementos and pictures will help her feel as though she’s entering a familiar location. Including her belongings will also provide a sense of familiarity and ease the anxiety of moving to a new room.
Set up a visitation schedule: Talk to your mom about how often she would like you to visit after transitioning to memory care. There should be a balance between family interaction and community socialization. Encourage her to participate in activities to reduce her risk of isolation and loneliness when you can’t visit.
Be patient: It may take your dad several weeks to adjust to his surroundings. Give him time to acquaint himself with the new people, sights, sounds and schedules.
Are you looking for a memory care facility in Ohio, Pennsylvania or Florida? Embassy Healthcare has communities dedicated to providing well-rounded care to seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Contact us online for more information and schedule a tour.
