Nursing Home Care

How to Ease Your Loved One’s Move to a Nursing Home

Tips for Managing this Big Transition Without Guilt

 

By Deborah Liss Fins, MSSW, LICSW, CMC, Aging Life Care Association™ Member and Fellow of the Leadership Academy

 

The decision to move your aging parent into a nursing home can be one of the most difficult you’ll ever face. Plenty of guilt. Will he feel comfortable? Will she get the proper care? Won’t it feel impersonal? It’s so expensive! And the biggest guilt trip—why couldn’t you just keep your loved one at home and take care of him or her, yourself?

But the reality is that home-based care isn’t always the best alternative, even if you have the best intentions. Some people need more care than you can provide safely at home. A parent who has frequent medical emergencies that require trips to the ER may actually be better cared for in a nursing home, which has a medical support team on staff. A parent with advancing dementia needs a secure setting and caregivers with special training.

Your health and well-being count, too. If you’re worn out from caring for your parent and holding down a job in addition, you can find yourself sick, angry, or just making more mistakes due to exhaustion. And if you’re staying at home to care for your parent, forfeiting employment, your personal financial situation may be at risk. The situation becomes all the more complicated if you have children at home who also need your attention. There’s only so much of you to go around, and your needs count, too. (Take this Caregiver Burnout Quiz to see if you are at risk)

Be Honest: Where Will Your Loved One Be Safest?

There are many tradeoffs to consider. Your parent’s safety is a key determining factor. Setting your own ego aside and screening out what you think are society’s expectations, take time to assess your parent’s needs and how he or she will be cared for best. Be honest with yourself about what you can and cannot do. Seek input from trusted family members and friends, as well as professional insights from an Aging Life Care Professional™. Include your parent in the decision, to the extent that he or she is able to participate.

Once you’ve agreed that a move to a nursing home is best, you’ll need to research alternatives. Be sure to visit. When picking a site, notice whether the staff and leadership know residents by name. Can you envision your parent fitting in with the other residents? Is staff interested in learning about your loved one’s personal preferences? Here are some more points to consider.

Be Empathetic: What Will Help Your Loved One Feel Most at Home?

When you’ve made your arrangements and are ready to help your loved one move, here are some other tips to ease the transition.

Look at the move from your loved one’s perspective. What can you bring to his or her new room to make it feel familiar and comfortable? You may be able to include a favorite chair, family pictures, a comforter or other personal items. Consider bringing your loved one’s favorite music, too–on an iPod, CDs and CD player, or even a satellite radio set-up.

If your parent will have a roommate, talk to the nursing home staff in advance to explore issues that could create a conflict, such as:

  •     Waking and sleeping habits
  •     Need for privacy
  •     Desire for companionship
  •     Grooming habits
  •     Need for orderly space
  •     Sensitivity to noise or inability to hear well

Ask what kinds of clothing will be appropriate. Determine whether you will have the facility do your parent’s laundry or if you will take care of it, which will affect whether or not your parent will take more delicate items that cannot withstand industrial laundering.

Be Realistic: Adjusting to a New Setting Takes Time

Be supportive, and be realistic. Don’t expect your parent to be thrilled with his or her new surroundings at the beginning. This is a huge adjustment and will take time. Do your best to listen, and tap the professionals, including nursing staff and social workers, to help both you and your parent make the transition. Visit often. Be present. Observe how your parent is being cared for and speak up if there are issues.

At the same time, try not to let your parent’s frustrations or complaints — which are inevitable — to throw you off. Remember…the ultimate measure of the move is your parent’s health and well-being over time—and your own.

Be Prepared: Seek Professional Guidance

If you need help or guidance in making a decision about nursing or assisted living care for your loved one, talk to an Aging Life Care Professional™. Aging Life Care Professionals can help you determine if a move is best for your loved one; and if so, help you find the facility that is the best-fit to meet the individual’s needs. Find an Aging Life Care™ Expert at aginglifecare.org.

About the author: Deborah Liss Fins has over 35 years of experience in aging life care issues. She is the President of Deborah Fins Associates, PC in Worcester, MA.  Debbie is a member of the Board of Directors of the Aging Life Care Association™  and co-chair of the Education Committee.  Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter @DeborahFinsALCM or email her at DLFins@finseldercare.com.  Deborah Fins Associates has a presence on Facebook – we invite you to like our page.


This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association™ and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.

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