Moving a loved one into a nursing home is never easy, but it can be even more difficult if you are moving your spouse into a nursing home. If your spouse needs more assistance than you can provide, this can be a difficult idea to comprehend. You have spent years caring for your spouse, providing for him or her, giving emotional support, and working through issues together. Now, you are entering a stage in your life where you cannot give your spouse what they need. This can be a difficult realization for both you and your spouse; however, it does not mean that everything has to change. If your family has determined that you should move your spouse into a nursing home, you can help your spouse ease into this change with the following tips.
Communicate With Your Spouse
While this can be a difficult topic to discuss, now is the time to express your own feelings about this change and hear what they think about it. Together, you can determine your expectations for this change, identify your fears, and find ways to reduce them.
Remain Positive
While this is undoubtedly a difficult transition for you, it will likely be even harder for your loved one. They will be living and interacting with new people on a daily basis, dealing with a new living situation, and coming to terms with reduced freedom. These factors can make this move frightening for your husband or wife. It is important that you stay strong and positive for your spouse to help them know that this is not that scary and that you will get through it together.
Plan Continued Communication
Not being able to live together can be difficult for you and your spouse, especially after decades of marriage. While it might seem like a given that you will continue to talk and visit regularly, you should be clear about these intentions. Pick a day of the week or a time of day that works for both of you to schedule a phone call so that you can talk regularly. You should do the same with visits. If you can no longer drive, talk to other family members or friends to find an alternative mode of transportation so that you can set up regular visits. Establishing a routine will be essential to your quality time together when you can no longer live together.
Determine If They Need a Home
Some nursing homes accept residents’ husbands or wives as residents so that the couple does not have to split up. If you also need treatment from a nursing home, it might be a good idea to move both you and your spouse into a nursing home.
This transition will be a difficult time in your marriage and your life, but you and your spouse can get through it. By following these tips and communicating with your family, you will be able to establish a routine that works for you and your partner.
