Tips to Ease the Transition to a Senior Care Nursing Home
Moving from one's place of residence into a senior care nursing home can be a huge adjustment for both the person moving and his or her family. There are some things that can be done in order to make the adjustment easier. Following these steps is one way to ensure a happier situation for all involved.
Before
Before planning the move, make sure that you have a found a home where your loved one will be comfortable and happy. Look for the following.
Caring staff
Clean facility
Cheerful space
Happy residents
Activities – Check out the activity room. Religious services are something that many residents like to take part in. Choose a facility that matches the religion of your loved one, for example, The Church of Jesus Christ of LDS if your loved one is a Christian. Any activities that encourage participation are excellent. Such activities include arts and crafts, puzzles and movies among others.
Favorite items
While you can't bring everything from home, you can bring your favorite items. Let your loved one know that they don't have to give up everything they own. Let them choose some things to bring with them. Put their other valuable items in storage. They can be put in a box in the attic, or in a storage shed. Anywhere where they will be safe and secure. Even if you don't think they will be used, if they are important to your loved one, keep them.
Visit and call
One of the best things that you can do is to let your loved one know that they haven't been forgotten. Visit and call often. This is especially important in the beginning as they are adjusting to their new home. Maybe get together with other family members and friends to set up a visiting schedule. Sometimes an older person fears that they will be forgotten once they move. Let them know that this is not the case.
It doesn't take much to ease the fears and worries of someone who must leave their home to go into a nursing facility. If you've done your homework and chosen a great facility, your loved one should adjust quickly. Encourage them to take part in activities. Bring items from home and be sure to visit. This will all go a long way in easing their transition. This move can be a positive experience with a little help from you and the right facility.
