Moving a loved one into a nursing home can be one of the most difficult decisions a family has to make. This can mean uprooting someone from a home where they raised a family and created memories. This type of major life transition is often full of unexpected challenges.
Your loved one will need time to adjust to daily life in an assisted living environment. This is especially true if they resisted the move or are feeling sad about leaving their home. Pre-move planning and the full support of a loving family will help smooth the transition period for them and you.
WHY IS MOVING INTO A NURSING HOME STRESSFUL FOR EVERYONE?
Even in the best of circumstances, moving is stressful. Whether it is across the hall or across the country, making sure everything and everyone makes it to the right place can be hard. Moving a loved one into a nursing home can be even more stressful.
After all, you want to make sure your loved one is comfortable, safe, and has everything they need to begin the next chapter of their lives. Things get even harder If your elderly loved one suffers from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Handling the move will require a different approach. You must find ways to help your loved one accept their new environment and the positive impacts it will have on their life.
HOW TO HELP YOUR LOVED ONE FEEL AT HOME
Assisted living and Nursing Home Facility try to ensure that residents feel comfortable in their new surroundings. However, these facilities are primarily focused on providing medical and physical care. Thankfully, there are things you and your family can do to make sure their new atmosphere feels like home.
- Try to recreate the style and feel of their former home
- Display items your loved one has collected or made over the years
- Put up family photos and homemade family crafts
- Decorate for various holidays throughout the year
- Buy fresh flowers and seasonal plants
- Make sure they have access to their favorite newspapers, magazines, books, and music
Communicate with them to make sure their needs and preferences are being met. Anything you can do to make your loved one comfortable and give them the feeling that they are at home will help with the emotional and physical transitions they are going through.
BE PREPARED FOR THE COMPLAINTS
Loved ones are not always happy about moving into a nursing home. They may cope with the stress of the transition by getting angry and finding a lot to complain about. As such, it may be difficult to tell if they are simply venting their frustrations or lodging legitimate complaints.
Whether they are complaining about cold peas at lunch or an issue with the quality of care, hear them out and let them vent. Most complaints will likely be minor issues they will be able to rectify on their own or adjust to with time.
Regardless of how often your loved one complains, you should always take remarks or actions that indicate any form of abuse seriously. Regular communication with your loved is the key to discovering signs of abuse. If you suspect your loved is being abused by nursing home personnel, contact Phoenix elder care attorneys who specialize in nursing home abuse.
CONTACT PHOENIX ELDER CARE ATTORNEYS IF YOU SUSPECT NURSING HOME ABUSE
If you suspect your loved one is being abused, contacting our Phoenix elder care attorneys is a must. We are experienced in nursing home abuse cases and have a reputation for protecting the elderly. At Miller Kory Rowe, LLP, we handle even the most complex nursing home abuse cases. Contact us today at (602) 648-4045 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.