Your elderly loved one suffers from dementia. You can tell they’re struggling at home, and as the caregiver, you’ve got nothing left in the tank to give.
The reality is that it’s time to move your loved one into an assisted living community.
This decision is difficult and emotional and can be triggering and overwhelming for your loved one; however, many have successfully moved their loved one with dementia into assisted living.
Learn the tips for a successful transition into an assisted living facility, benefits of making the move, and what we recommend to ensure it all goes well.
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Is Assisted Living Good for Dementia Patients?
Yes, assisted living can be a good option for some people living with dementia, particularly those in the early to mid-stages. A trusted assisted living community with qualified caregivers can offer a safe and supportive environment with specialized care. However, once the disease progresses to the person wandering and exit seeking, a specialized memory care facility is usually the best option.
Senior Services of America offers both assisted living communities and memory care communities for those living with dementia. Our memory care communities are dedicated to caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments in a nurturing residential environment.
Signs It’s Time To Move Into Assisted Living or Memory Care
As dementia progresses, many caregivers aren’t equipped to handle providing hours of care on their own any longer. If your loved one is beginning to show signs of worsening dementia, it might be time to consider a move into assisted living or memory care.
Changes in their behavior, appearance, and environment are tell-tale signs it might be time to make a move:
- They’re regularly forgetting to pay their bills.
- Their home has become an unsafe environment — they wander off, they fall often, they leave the stove on, etc.
- Personal hygiene has been neglected.
- Housekeeping no longer happens
- They no longer take care of their health — they often forget to take medications or take more than they need, forget to make or attend appointments, etc.
- They forget the date, time, month, or season.
- They become aggressive.
- They withdraw from activities, hobbies, or social situations.
10 Tips for How To Move Someone With Dementia Into Assisted Living
#1: Establish Their Current Dementia Circumstances
Each set of circumstances regarding a person’s journey with dementia is different. The first step in moving forward is identifying the current set of circumstances.
Some may be at a stage in their dementia diagnosis where they are no longer functioning well with daily activities and need a lot of assistance. In this case, a dedicated memory care community may be the best option rather than assisted living.
Others that are early in their diagnosis may find that an assisted living community will meet their needs. Having said that, you need to consider that it may become less manageable to care for your loved one with dementia in the later stages of the disease. In this case, they may eventually need to move to a specialized memory care community.
Each person’s needs are unique and will require individualized attention. The advisors at Senior Services of America communities are here to partner with you to find a solution that best fits the needs of each resident.
#2: Initiate Conversations About Moving
Moving can be exciting and a sign of a fresh start — but it can also be emotional, difficult, and, at times, overwhelming.
It’s important to realize that moving can be all of these things at different points in the process.
The sooner a conversation about moving is initiated, the smoother the moving process becomes for everyone. You might ask your loved one their general opinion on having more help, offer the benefits of what memory care communities offer, share opportunities they’ll have to participate in different activities, etc.
We recommend:
- Preparing how you’ll approach the conversation
- Choosing a good time and place
- Keeping the initial conversation casual
- Personalizing the next conversation
- Talking about the benefits
- Listening to their responses and feelings
- Pausing if there is disagreement or pushback
#3: Search for an Assisted Living Community You Can Trust
Finding a community that will care for your loved one like their own is important. The needs of your loved one with dementia may not be well suited to assisted living; instead, they may be in need of specialized memory care. When searching for a community, be sure they have the following in place to care for residents with dementia:
- The capacity
- Resources; and
- Ability to provide proper support to all residents
Be sure that the community takes the time to carefully understand the needs of your loved one.
The last thing you want to do is have to move a loved one twice. Taking the time to research and find the best community for your loved one is one of the best decisions you can make.
Remember that every facility’s approach to memory care is different. At Senior Services of America, our communities are led by experienced and compassionate caregivers who provide a positive experience for every resident. Every resident benefits from an individualized care plan that takes their unique needs into account —if further assistance is needed, the care plan is adjusted.
#4: Establish Relationships With Future Caregivers
The caregivers in the assisted living or memory care community you choose will soon be very important people in your loved one’s life. Establishing good relationships with those caregivers is beneficial for everyone involved.
If possible, encourage a time or space for your loved one to share their story with a caregiver. Or, feel free to share on behalf of your loved one.
The important thing is to facilitate a conversation so that your loved one feels more comfortable. In turn, the caregiver will feel more comfortable, too, and be more equipped to help them settle in.
#5: Pack Intentionally
In an effort to make things as comfortable and familiar as possible, be sure to collect special or important items from your parent’s life that can be brought along with them to the new living space.
Common items to bring along to make the space feel like home include:
- Sentimental items
- Important paperwork
- Clothes
- Personal hygiene items
- Hobbies and entertainment
- Assistive devices
- Household items (family photos, blankets, decorations, artwork, etc.)
- Electronics
- Pet supplies
Of course, it isn’t wise to try and bring the whole house into the new room or apartment, but don’t spare the few mementos that will make the new space feel like home.
Especially on bad days, it is comforting for a dementia patient to be surrounded by familiar items that bring them comfort and memories.
#6: Acknowledge Your Loved One’s Concerns and Questions
Your loved one will likely have many questions leading up to move-in day and during the move-in process. They might push you to bring them back home, ask why they have to be there, or express sadness or distress.
Empathize with your loved one and let them know you see and hear them, and you understand how difficult the transition must be for them. End on a positive by reaffirming how the transition will be beneficial and highlighting the pros of making the move.
#7: Make Their Space Feel Like Home
This community will be your loved one’s new home, so making it feel that way is important. Along with bringing the recommended packing items from above, take the time to decorate, paint or wallpaper if allowed, and add touches that will make them comfortable and happy to be there.
#8: Encourage Socialization and Participation
Before walking out on move-in day, take your loved one to explore their new environment and help them adjust to their surroundings. Maybe there is an activity happening that your loved one can jump into or observe. Maybe just walking the grounds will make them comfortable.
By experiencing the benefits of their new memory care facility right away, the stress and sadness around moving can dissipate, allowing room for your loved one to meet friends, adjust to a new daily routine, and find joy in their new home.
#9: Be Prepared for Hard Days
We all know how difficult change can be, so be prepared to face bad days where your loved one doesn’t want to be in their new space or they’re mourning their old life. Remind yourself (and them) that these feelings are natural and valid.
As for you, be patient. Bad days and negative comments about their new situation will become less frequent over time as they adjust to their new community. Keep in mind that your loved one is surrounded by skilled and compassionate caregivers who will provide the best experiences possible, plenty of activities, and friends in similar situations.
#10: Acknowledge the Transition Will Take Time
Finally, remember that this transition is likely not easy on your loved one. It’s going to take time for them to feel comfortable and acclimated in their new living space. The most important thing you can do is be patient, acknowledge their feelings, and rest assured knowing you’ve done the best for your loved one’s safety and well-being.
The right assisted living or memory care facility will begin to feel like home in no time as your loved one realizes they’re getting the care and support they need to live a happy and healthy life with dementia.
How To Continue a Healthy Transition After Move-In Day
You and your loved one have survived moving into assisted living, but there are still steps you can take to help them thrive. As they continue to adjust to their new environment, we recommend doing your best to stay connected, offering positive conversations, and checking in often.
Show support for your loved one by:
- Visiting regularly and at the right times. Morning visits tend to be the best for dementia patients because they’re more alert at the start of the day. Evening visits coincide with sundown syndrome when dementia patients can begin to experience agitation and confusion.
- Participate in programs and eat meals with your loved one. This helps distract them from any possible negative emotions and marks clear points throughout their day.
- Be positive when you talk with your loved one, whether it be during a visit or on the phone. Dementia patients and caregivers can both quickly become frustrated during conversations and visits, so before you become frustrated, remember what your loved one is dealing with and reframe your mindset.
- Be open to reassessing your loved one’s needs if a community doesn’t seem like the right fit. Adjustment times are normal, but if your loved one is having increased difficulty making friends or engaging in activities, talk with the community staff to address pain points and work through solutions.
Senior Services of America Provides Comfort and Care at Our Memory Care Communities
At Senior Services of America, we offer senior living communities that provide your loved one with the comfort and care they need, all while maintaining and promoting their independence. If your loved one has reached a stage in their disease where moving into an assisted living or memory care community is feeling like the right choice, our advisors can help you navigate this difficult situation and provide you with the resources you need to move forward. Find your nearest community to start the conversation today.