Moving a loved one with dementia into a memory care community can be an emotional and challenging experience for both the individual and their family. Adjusting to a new environment, routine, and group of caregivers takes time, but there are ways families can help make the transition feel more comfortable and familiar. From having important conversations before the move to staying involved afterward, small steps can make a meaningful difference.
Supporting Your Loved One Through the Transition to Memory Care
Have a Conversation Before the Move
Before a transition to memory care, it may be beneficial to have a conversation about the move with your loved one. Start by sitting down with them one-on-one in a calm and quiet space when you feel the time is right. Explain what they can expect from their move and new day-to-day in a simple, reassuring way and give them the opportunity to express any thoughts or concerns. Also try to involve them in decisions where possible.
Make Their New Space Feel Like Home
You don’t want to move your loved one into a space that feels unfamiliar and cold. Not every piece of furniture or decor has to be brand new either. They want to feel comfortable and at home, and there are plenty of ways to do that for them. During the move, bring familiar furniture with them, their beloved photographs, knick-knacks, artwork, and other meaningful items.
Another way to make their space feel like home is to incorporate familiar scents or items that remind them of home. Familiarity can be especially comforting for individuals with dementia, as recognizable belongings, surroundings, and even scents can give them a sense of security in an unfamiliar environment.
You can also maintain that sense of familiarity by implementing their everyday routines into new daily life. Whether it’s enjoying morning coffee, listening to their favorite music, or enjoying daily walks, these familiar routines can help make the new environment feel a little more like home. Routines help to promote independence and reduce stress for individuals with dementia.
Stay Involved
Staying involved after a move provides a variety of emotional and situational benefits for both you and your loved one. For your loved one, seeing a familiar face regularly will help reduce feelings of anxiety and unease. Additionally, regular visits will help them feel valued, comforted, and connected to the people they know and love.
For you, visiting your loved one and their community will allow you to build a relationship with staff. This can allow you to get to know the people who take care of your loved one day to day as well as share your own insight into your loved one’s unique personality, habits, preferences, and history. You also will be able to get regular updates on how your loved one is doing and adjusting and receive updates on changes to their care plan.
Your visits don’t have to be lengthy, but ensure that you’re getting the most out of them. You can participate in activities or community events or just drop in whenever you’d like. Bring photos, your loved one’s favorite snacks, or something you can do together like a game or craft.
Give Them Time to Adjust
A new environment, daily routine, and unfamiliar faces can feel overwhelming for someone with dementia. It may take time for them to become comfortable with their new surroundings and to recognize the people around them. If you experience a particularly difficult transition initially, it’s important to keep in mind that it doesn’t mean you made the wrong decision. There may be good days and difficult days as your loved one adjusts, and that’s okay.
Let the Care Team Help
You don’t have to navigate a transition alone.
From Executive Directors and nursing staff to the culinary and activities teams, your loved one’s care team is there to support you both throughout the transition. The team will learn your loved one’s preferences, routines, unique personality, and needs in order to make their experience lively and comfortable. Additionally, you should share any information with the care team that you think is relevant, whether it’s what comforts your loved one, what they enjoy, or what might cause frustration or discomfort with them. You can also check in with the staff whenever you feel the need.
At Northshore Heights, our team takes the time to get to know each resident as an individual and wants each resident to feel comfortable, valued, and at home every day.
Give Yourself Grace
Lastly, as a caregiver and family member, it’s vital to give yourself some grace in the process.
It’s normal to experience guilt, sadness, or uncertainty during a transition to memory care. It can be difficult to let someone else take on some of the responsibilities of taking care of your loved one, and because of that your role may look different now. Choosing memory care for your loved one doesn’t mean that you’ve stopped caring. You’re still a huge source of comfort, familiarity, and connection for them.
If you’re struggling with feelings of guilt as a caregiver, remember you’re not alone. Learn more about caregiver guilt and overcoming these feelings in our recent blog post.
Adjustment Takes Time
Transitioning to memory care is a big change, and it’s completely normal for both you and your loved one to take time to adjust.
It’s crucial to remember that you don’t have to navigate any of it alone. By creating a familiar environment, staying involved, maintaining routines, and keeping in the loop with your loved one’s care team, you can make the process feel more comfortable and reassuring. There may be challenges, but with time, patience, and support, your loved one can begin to feel comfortable, connected, and at home in their new community.
