There will come a time when you, as a caregiver, are unable to give your loved one the care they need. There might come a time when they have to find a new living space and you will play a role in deciding where that is. Once you have carefully considered the best place for your loved one, you will also play a role in transitioning them there. While you will see the benefits of this move, it may still be difficult to accept emotionally. In this article we’ll provide 10 tips for transitioning to an assisted care community.

10 Tips For Transitioning To An Assisted Care Community

1. Choose the best community. – Do a lot of research on the kind of community you want for your family member. Discuss the options with your family members to make sure it’s a good fit.
2. Don’t tell your loved one they need more help. – Don’t make your loved one feel like they are the problem. Help them to understand that you are the one who actually needs more help and that their new caregivers will take good care of them.
3. Recognize the transition will be challenging. – Living in a new community will have many, many benefits, however it cannot be denied that the transition will be hard. Check in on your loved ones to make sure they are okay.
4. Don’t include your loved one in planning or packing for the move. – These decisions can require extra challenges and stress. You decide on what to take and what to get rid of. Spend time noticing what things around their home they use and enjoy regularly.
5. Be prepared to take some time off. – Just as you would for your own move, take some time off to spend moving and getting your loved one settled. Also, keep in mind that you might be spending some extra money upfront in order for your loved one to move.
6. Make regular visits to ease the transition. – Remember that in the first few weeks after the move, an individual will still be adjusting to the move. It might help to see a familiar face to ease up the transition.
7. Align moving time with your loved one’s best time of day. – schedule the bulk of the move for the time of day that matches with their schedule. This will allow you time to make sure they are comfortable and settled before leaving for your home.
8. Don’t feel guilty. – Most caregivers have an extreme amount of guilt leaving their loved one with other people to care for them. Making the choice to leave a loved one at a care facility is not the “worst case scenario”. Many times, in fact, it is the best case scenario.
9. Avoid being emotional. – “Transitioning your loved one to a memory care community can be a very emotional time. You may have spent years of your life supporting and caring for each other. When moving your loved one, it is extremely important that you not show your sadness or cry. Try your best to be upbeat and happy.
10. Recreate as much of the home environment as possible. – Being in a familiar environment is beneficial for people with dementia. If you can set up their new home to remind them of their previous home, they may feel more comfortable. This set up can also decrease anxiety or feeling upset.

Overall, moving into a place can be scary for anyone. There are several things you can do to help a person transition from one environment to another. Please contact us to learn more if you’re currently looking for a new assisted living community for your loved one.