Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or any other memory-related condition is often hard work. The thing with memory conditions with our elderly loved ones is that it never gets better. Sooner or later, you’ll have to make a tough decision. You have discussed it, thought about it, or at the very least worried about it. Now the days are passing by, and your loved one is almost moving to a memory care facility. And although there are many positive reasons to make this life-changing decision, there are a lot of emotions involved for all. However, over the years of working with individuals and families facing this predicament, we have found five steps to help transition to memory care.

Step 1. Explore all Memory Care Options Early Enough

As a caregiver for your loved one, you need to understand that people living with dementia often worry about when their care will become tiresome for people around them. As such, you should involve them in the plan for their care when they can no longer help. During planning, you can deal with any concerns, fears, or reluctances together as a family so they do not feel neglected. You can use these early stages to understand what desires and preferences your loved ones might want. For example, you can ask them to list down what they need to live well with dementia in a memory care facility or even at home.

Step 2. Make them Comfortable with their Future Surroundings

Before you choose a suitable memory care facility for your loved one, you must visit the list of places that you can visit. You can also arrange visits and enjoy meals at the facility of your choice. Although most people don’t recall the events during their stay in a facility, respite care can help ease the transition and develop a stronger relationship with the doctors and other patients.

Step 3. Have Open Conversations Leading Up to the Transition

Getting ready to move a loved one into a nursing home or memory care facility can be very unsettling, especially for those who are sensitive to topics such as this. However, it is important to talk to them about what will happen to them so that they know what is happening. You can involve physicians or other healthcare providers in the discussion to make it easier for everyone involved. Also, tell your loved ones that they will still be able to stay in the family.

Step 4. Make them Feel at Home

Before your loved one moves into a nursing home, ensure that their apartment is similar to their old home. With some help from a memory care facility, you can create a floor plan that mimics their old home. You can also decorate the room with various objects, such as vases and pictures of flowers.

A similar home routine can help ease the psychological stress many people experience when dealing with loved ones.

Step 4. Embrace All Feelings on the Day of Moving

Our memory care team is well prepared to receive you and your loved one on a moving day. However, we do understand that this is the hardest day for you and them. In some cases, your loved one might be reluctant and might even refuse to get out of the car.

We advise that you should stay calm and allow them to share their feelings. You can even go through why this is an important decision for you and your loved one. In our experience, any anger or resentment shown on a moving day is often dialed down once your loved one gets used to the new surroundings.

Step 5. Make them Feel at Home

Before your loved one moves into a nursing home, ensure that their apartment is similar to their old home. With some help from a memory care facility, you can create a floor plan that mimics their old home. You can also decorate the room with various objects, such as vases and pictures of flowers. A similar home routine can help ease the psychological stress many people experience when dealing with loved ones.

Looking for Memory Care experts in Golden, Colorado?

There are always challenges when moving a loved one into a nursing home or other facility for people with memory care needs. However, with the help and encouragement of our staff members, we can help them quickly settle in. We’ll take care of them even when you’re not there.

We are proud to be the first facility in Golden, Colorado, to provide full-service retirement communities, including independent living and memory care. For more information, contact us.