5 Tips for When Your Loved One Moves to a Senior Memory Care Facility
Currently, over 5 million people in the US are living with Alzheimer’s.
Unfortunately, this figure is growing due to an aging population and our lifestyles. To try and ward off Alzheimer’s, it’s important to avoid smoking, alcohol, and to get enough exercise.
But, if Alzheimer’s is already affecting your loved one, then it may be time to consider a senior memory care home.
This is a difficult decision to make but there are a few ways you can make the transition easier. Let’s take a look:
1. Visit the Senior Memory Care Home
Before you make your decision about whether to send your loved one to a home, it’s very important to spend time there yourself.
By looking around a few times, spending time with the residents if possible, and speaking with the professionals that work there, you can get an idea of the place.
It’s also a good idea to visit the home with your loved one so that they can get a feel for the place too. Furthermore, get your loved one involved with the activities offered at the home before the move.
Alternatively, you may choose Alzheimer’s home care if you decide that it’s too soon for your loved one to move into a care home.
2. Create a Calming and Dependable Schedule
Once you’ve decided to make the move, develop a routine that is similar to the days your loved one will experience in their new home.
People with memory loss find that a dependable routine can help them feel better and more secure.
As a result, it’s very important to plan for a smooth moving day. How can you ensure your loved one is as comfortable as possible?
3. Decorate Their New Room
Helping your loved one to relax into their new home is very important. To do this, make sure you pack everything they love.
Make the bed up with their preferred bed sheets, put up pictures of the family on the wall, and unpack their clothes before they arrive.
However, make sure everything is neat and tidy. Clutter can cause anxiety in those with memory loss.
4. Don’t Visit for a Few Days
Although it may be hard to stay away, it’s an important part of helping your loved one settle into their new home.
If you’re worried, ask whether it’s ok to call and hear a report on how your loved one is doing. But, don’t arrive every day to take them out or sit with them.
Your loved one may be angry about leaving their old home, so try to be as positive as possible when speaking with them and visiting.
5. Allow Yourself Time to Feel Sad
Saying goodbye to your loved one on their moving day can feel very upsetting. Allow yourself to feel this emotion and be kind to yourself for the next few days.
Try writing in a journal about your emotions or speak to someone you trust about the move.
Soon, this will become the new normal for everyone. But, even if you know you’re making the right decision, it can still feel emotionally exhausting.
Senior Memory Care Can Be the Right Choice
It’s natural to second guess yourself when choosing a senior memory care home for your loved one. But, only you can make the right decision for them.
Alzheimer’s progresses slowly and you may suddenly find that it is hard to cope with caring for your loved one alone. But, there is help available.
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