How to Ensure a Smooth Transition Into Memory Care

There may come a time when you realize a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or another form of memory loss is no longer safe to live by themselves. You may also be unable to provide them the care they need to thrive in everyday life.

When that time comes, a Memory Care community can be a natural option to consider. A smooth transition into Memory Care isn’t always guaranteed, but it may be possible if you take these steps:

Tour Senior Living Communities

One of the first steps toward enjoying a smooth transition into Memory Care involves touring senior living communities. Depending on how advanced your loved one’s dementia is, you may choose to do this with or without them.

Touring communities allows you to learn more about their services, the activities and therapies available, staff-to-resident ratios, and how they can help your loved one settle in and thrive. Touring the communities you’re interested in may also make it easier to decide which one is right for you.

Plan Ahead

Change can be stressful and overwhelming for people living with dementia. Plan ahead rather than rushing through the process so the changes are less drastic. You may also like to write a checklist of all the tasks you need to complete over the coming weeks and months, such as sorting through belongings, deciding what your loved one will take, and organizing all the paperwork to join your preferred community.

Be Open and Communicative

Your loved one would likely prefer not to leave their home environment and transition into an unfamiliar community. However, Memory Care programs in senior living communities can provide the safety, security, and comfort they need to thrive. Communicate this with them to make the transition easier.

Tell your loved one what’s happening and why it’s happening. You can also address their fears and concerns. The more open and honest you are, the less of a shock the transition might be for them.

Involve Them As Much As Possible

Your loved one’s level of involvement in their move into a senior living community can depend on how advanced their dementia is. Where possible, involve them in any decisions that affect their care. When your loved one has at least some involvement, they may feel more empowered and in control of what comes next.

Focus On Familiarization

Your loved one will be moving from a familiar environment to an unfamiliar one. This can be overwhelming enough even without considering the new people and different routines. As a result, focusing on familiarization can be important. The more familiar things your loved one is surrounded by in a senior living community, the more at home they may feel in their new environment.

Start paying attention to things your loved one always uses or has around them, such as a soft toy, a favorite blanket, artwork, and knick-knacks. These might be the first things you pack as you prepare to move them into their new home.

Stay Involved

You’ve likely been involved with your loved one’s care from the beginning. Your involvement doesn’t have to stop just because you’ve made the hard and right decision to involve the experts. You can still visit your loved one, be involved in their daily affairs, and spend time with them as often as you like. Your attention and involvement may make the transition much more manageable.

Contact Ansel Park Assisted Living & Memory Care for a Smooth Transition Today

Your loved one deserves to feel right at home in an environment of comfort, safety, and support. If you’re trying to ensure a smooth transition into a Memory Care program, contact our friendly team today. We can guide you through the entire process and help your loved one settle in.