The choice to move elderly loved ones into assisted living facilities is a tough one. Not only is it tough on them, because at this stage of their life moving is a really big deal, but also tough for you, because you may feel guilty about not bringing them into your own home. There are also a lot of little details to take care of when moving seniors, whether it be nearby are miles away. You are one of their primary caregivers, even though there are caregivers at the facilities, and it is up to you to make sure that you find the best facility for your loved ones. Many people have learned that not all assisted living communities are tired and run down. Devonshire was a vibrant and energetic community with great assisted living options.
Medications
You need to find out how medications are handled. Some retirement communities have people on staff who take care of dispensing medications, including emergency medications. Others require that the residents and their families be responsible for all medications. Also, it may be that there is no 24/7 nursing care services for residents is available. If your loved one has health or mobility issues, you may want to consider hiring a live-in companion.
Get to Know the Staff
It is important to learn the roles of the staff who will be working with your loved one. You need to know what their responsibilities are, and what your own are. For most people, this is the first time they are involved with a retirement community, and it can take a while to know what’s what. Also find out who the primary point person is. This is the person who you will need to contact if there are repairs needed in your loved one’s apartment, and any other issues that come up. The staff at the facility should also know who the primary point person in your family is, so they can be contacted if they are needed for anything.
Packing Everything Away
Once a facility has been chosen, it is time to start preparing for the move. This means packing things up. Don’t leave this to your loved ones. Take part yourself. Not only will this be comforting to the person who is moving, it is going to make the transition easier when they know that their possessions will be going with them. Once everything is moved into the facility, it is time to start decorating. Your loved one will feel more at home once they see their own things all around them. If they have a lot of stuff, don’t push them into selling things until they are ready. Let them adjust to their new surroundings before adding more changes to their life.
Work with the Staff
Talk to the staff, and find out how you can help your loved one, and make it easier for the staff to do their jobs properly. For instance, you can arrange to take your loved one on an outing on housekeeping day, so the workers can get everything done without having to work around anyone. Always remember to show your appreciation for all of the staff’s hard work, and take time to learn their names and get to know them.
No two families are alike, and there are no cookie cutter solutions when it comes to moving your loved ones into an assisted care facility. It may take some time for you to figure out what is working, and what is not. Above all, make sure that you are there for your loved one, to help them with this major transition in their life. If you need help, it is available.
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