Transitioning a family member to a care home environment can be an emotionally challenging process for everyone involved, but a little preparation can go a long way toward reducing stress. At Legacy Care Home, we have many years of experience helping our residents and their families adjust to this new stage in their lives, and we work hard to make the transition process a comfortable one. Here are our top tips for helping your loved one make the adjustment.
1. Start Early!
The number one tip is to start early. Engage your loved one in open and honest communications to build trust, avoid surprises, and ensure that any fears and concerns are surfaced. Try not to explain away their concerns but listen with empathy. At Legacy Care Home, we suggest 3-6 months of discussion if possible, recognizing that crises like unexpected medical changes can make that difficult.
2. Involve Them in Process
The next most important tip is to involve your loved one in the decision-making process. Discuss the various facilities and options available. If they’re capable of doing so, allow them to participate in the research phase and encourage them to keep an open mind.
3. Tour Facilities Together
Visit care homes together and meet with staff. We enjoy visits from prospective residents at Legacy Care Home, because we’re proud of our home-like environment and we like to welcome families to experience it firsthand before making any decisions. Please contact us to set up a time to visit.
4. Discuss Needs, Goals, and Values
Speak with your loved one to identify their needs, goals, and values. This begins with but does not end with an assessment of their medical needs. It also includes their functional needs (the kind of help they’ll need with daily living activities), any goals that you and they have for this next stage of life, and the values that are important to them. At LCH, we believe in taking holistic approach that considers not just their physical health, but their emotional, social, and spiritual well-being, too.
5. Plan Your Move
Discuss the best timing — and plan to be present throughout the transition period. Try to identify a time when stress will be minimal and they’re feeling well. As the move-in date approaches, plan follow-up visits to see the space and meet with staff again so they begin to become familiar with their new home. At LCH, we’re always happy to work with you to schedule multiple visits to ease the transition. Plan to spend extra time with them yourself for several days after their move. You’re always welcome to stay late and arrive early at LCH during this period.
6. Personalize Their Environment
Make their space as comfortable and personal as possible. At LCH, we place our emphasis on the “home” in care home. This means making our environment feel like their home. As you plan for the transition, work with them to discuss what they want to bring to make the space theirs. This includes obvious things like photos, keepsakes, art, and other items of sentimental value, but you should also consider their favorite bedding and clothes, decor, important cultural or religious items, crafts, books, and other items that provide a sense of familiarity and comfort. Have some fun with them thinking about how to make their space their own.
7. Stay Engaged!
At LCH, we encourage our families to visit frequently and get to know us. You can ensure a smooth transition by remaining involved with your loved one after their move and building relationships with their new “family.” That includes our caregivers and staff as well as their new friends and fellow residents.
We know that this period can be stressful and challenging for you and your loved one, but by approaching the transition with a thoughtful plan and a sense of empathy, you can help them feel safe, supported, and cared for — and you can feel confident and prepared yourself!
Please feel free to reach out if you have additional questions about how to navigate the transition, and we encourage you to schedule a time to visit and discuss your transition plan in person.
