Making the transition to a nursing home can be frightening for your family. You might be nervous about this decision. Your loved one also might be hesitant to have such a serious change to their routine. While this can be a stressful time for your family, there are many things that you can do to help your loved one feel excited about the change instead of nervous. At this time, it is important for you to support your loved one as they move into a home. Consider these tips to make the process of moving into a home easier.
Make Sure that the Home Fits Your Loved One’s Needs
This is the first step that you should take to make sure that your loved one is comfortable in the home. You and your loved one should visit the nursing home before making your decision. If your loved one has particular medical needs, make sure that the home can meet these needs. Also make sure that your loved one feels comfortable with the staff members. Being comfortable with the home will go a long way in helping your loved one get excited about moving in.
Let Your Loved One Take Control
Many people feel helpless when they have to move into a nursing home. They might feel like they will no longer have control over their lives. This isn’t true, and you can help your loved one see it! Encourage your loved one to take control of their health. Let them get involved in creating their care plans and consulting with doctors. Also encourage your loved one to get involved in nursing home activities. Your loved one can take on a leadership position in a club or explore a hobby. This is a great chance to make friends, establish a social life, and enjoy their time at the nursing home.
Encourage Trips Outside of the Nursing Home
You can help your loved one maintain certain aspects of their lifestyle by encouraging spending and time outside of the nursing home. If your loved one is healthy enough to leave the home, you should organize trips outside of the home. Take your loved one out to lunch, to the movies, a park, a museum, a family party, etc. These breaks from nursing home life can provide variety for your loved one. They are also good opportunities to spend time with your loved one and improve family relationships.
Establish Regular Contact with Your Loved One
You should set up a regular time to visit your loved one in the nursing home. Whether this is once a week or once a month, checking in with them in person is a good idea. During your visits, you can spend quality time with your loved one. You will also be able to see how the nursing home is run. You can make sure that your loved one is being treated well. As your loved one is transitioning into nursing home life, you might consider calling them frequently to make sure that everything is going well. A brief phone conversation once a day or once a week can help them know that you still care and can put your mind at ease.
These are a few ways that you can make your loved one’s nursing home experience easier. For more information on choosing a nursing home, visit the other pages in this section.
