MOVING YOUR PARENT WITH DEMENTIA TO AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY

It is difficult to move a dementia-stricken parent or loved one into memory care or assisted living communities. It is an emotional journey, and there will be many ups and downs along the way.

How to Move a Parent with Dementia to Assisted Living

A list of suggestions and tips can help you and your loved ones better prepare for the move to assisted living for a parent with dementia.

• Start a Conversation Early (depending upon the stage of memory loss).
• As soon as possible after a dementia diagnosis, make a long-term care plan.
• Looking ahead can help you find the right community for your loved one if they are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. This will make it easier to transition to the next stage.
• In general, the right time to move into a community is when someone is unable to live independently and safely at home or when they require more care than you and/or your caregivers can provide.

If your loved one is in the middle-to-late-stages, it may be difficult to get them involved in choosing a community or planning the move. Sometimes it’s better to wait until the transition is imminent to let others know about the move and to enlist the support of friends and family to help in making decisions, sorting as well as packing.

Select a Memory Care Community

There are many assisted living communities that are not equipped to properly care for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s. It’s hard enough to move, and you don’t want to have to do it again. So, it is crucial to choose the right memory care community.

• You might consider visiting assisted living communities together before the moving day
• To feel safe, you need to be close to your family.
• Some people find that visiting the community before they move day is helpful. Consider joining activities, meeting residents with similar interests, and interfacing with staff.
• Each visit builds layers of familiarity.

Make the Move for Their “Best Time of The Day”

Late mornings and early afternoons are often the “best times of day” for dementia patients. It may be more challenging to get up in the morning or evenings.

Your parent will have a less stressful transition to one home if he/she is calm. This will allow for more time to settle in and prevent agitation or fatigue.

Make A Simple Selection Of Your Favorite Things

• Their new room may be smaller than their existing home. Clutter can lead to confusion and trip hazards.
• You can call the assisted living in Myrtle Beach staff to get information about what you should bring to your home.
• Some communities offer rooms furnished. However, you can still bring home personal touches such as a chair or wall art.
• The Memory Care’s rooms are not furnished. This allows residents and their families to create a home-like environment.

It helps residents to settle in faster if they have familiar items from their homes. Be careful when asking your parents “which item(s), do you want to bring with you ” as these decisions can cause agitation in later stages.

Get Counseling Services and Transition Programs

This is a significant physical transition but also an emotional one for all involved.

Spouses and loved ones are often the hardest affected, as their loved one moves into assisted living while they feel grief. You may be able to get support from a counselor if your parent chooses to enter assisted living at an earlier stage of dementia. This will help you and your family deal with the many emotions that this transition can bring.

Get in touch with the new caregiving staff

The staff wants to get to know the new residents. It is easier for staff to get to know your parent and have conversations with them as they settle in.

It’s also a good idea to reach out to the staff to help your parent through the transition. The staff and administration of a memory care community are experts in their field and will be able to explain the new transition without creating further anxiety or distress for your parent.

Carefully deciding how you can move a parent who has dementia to an assisted living facility

Mindful and systematic preparation is key to minimizing stress and mental fatigue during life’s transitions. You will receive the support and guidance you need during the move by choosing an assisted living facility that specializes in memory care.

Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest provides a quality memory care and assisted living community to people who need it. Call us now for more information.

Reflections Assisted Living at Carolina Forest
219 Middleburg Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-0700
https://www.reflectionsassistedliving.com/