Guidelines for readying oneself before transferring to a Dementia Care Center
Moving a loved one into a memory care facility can be an emotional and challenging experience, but with careful planning and preparation, the transition can be made smoother for both the family and the individual.
**1. Legal Paperwork and Planning**
Meet with family members to agree on the care plan and divide responsibilities for before, during, and after the move. Recognise different capacities and locations of each helper. Ensure all legal documents are updated and in order, such as power of attorney, healthcare directives, and financial paperwork, to manage the move and ongoing care smoothly.
**2. Downsizing and Packing Belongings**
Approach downsizing with sensitivity, understanding that it means parting with memories and treasured items. Prioritise essentials and personal items like comfortable clothing, medications, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and favourite mementos that bring emotional comfort. Avoid overcrowding the new living space with oversized furniture, excessive appliances, and trip hazards like throw rugs. Create a checklist to organise packing by room and category.
**3. Visiting and Choosing the Facility**
Visit and compare different memory care facilities to find one that best fits your loved one's needs and personality. During visits, assess the environment, staff friendliness, available amenities, and safety measures to ensure a supportive and secure setting.
**4. Emotional Preparation for Both Parties**
Prepare your loved one gently, acknowledging the emotional weight of leaving a long-time home and the grief over loss of independence. Use empathetic and careful language, offering encouragement and focusing on building social connections and familiar comforts in the new environment to ease loneliness. Incorporate personal touches such as familiar photos and treasured items to help make the new space feel like home.
**5. Financial Considerations**
Memory care can be expensive, and ways to cover costs include long-term care insurance, VA benefits, Medicaid, selling or renting out the home, family pitching in, and talking to the facility's financial coordinator.
**6. Practical Steps**
Label all belongings, including clothes and electronics, with the owner's name. Update bank records, billing addresses, and Medicare/Medicaid details. Inform the post office about the change of address. Notify relevant people and update records, such as utilities, mail, and emergency contacts, about the move.
**7. During the Move**
Try to move on moving day earlier in the day when the loved one is more alert. Keep the mood calm during moving day and avoid discussing the move too much. If the loved one refuses to go, consider bringing in a third party like a doctor, pastor, or counselor, starting with a respite stay instead of a permanent move, making the room look like home before they arrive, and avoiding too much explanation.
**8. Post-Move**
Ask the staff what they think is best in the beginning regarding visiting frequency and duration after the move. Stay calm and positive during visits, bringing a small treat or photo, joining them for an activity, and not arguing if they say things that don't make sense.
By merging practical organisation with emotional support, you can help make the transition to memory care more manageable and comforting for your loved one and the family alike.
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