Deciding to move a loved one with dementia into a memory care community can be a difficult and emotional time. You may feel overwhelmed by all the decisions and changes that are taking place. You may also feel like you are abandoning your loved one. These feelings are normal, but rest assured that by moving your senior to a memory care home can be one of the best things for both you and your loved one. A memory care community, like Vista Grande Villa, can provider older adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s with the necessary support, resources, and care they need to live a joyful, meaningful life.
If you’ve made the decision to move your parent, spouse or aging loved one into a memory care community, you may be wondering how you can make the process a positive experience for everyone involved. Whether your loved one is moving from their lifelong home or from an assisted living community, here are some helpful ways to prepare for their move to memory care.
Plan ahead
If possible, it is best to talk to your loved one about their preferences for living arrangements while they are still able to be involved with the decision-making process. When you have your loved one’s approval, you can feel more confident about the move when the time comes to transition your senior to a memory care community.
Stay positive
It’s not uncommon for an older parent, spouse, or loved one to feel a lot of negative emotions surrounding a move from their lifelong home. Whether they are angry, nervous, sad, or all the above, do your best to be positive about the transition when you are with them. Your positivity about the move can help them feel secure in the process and approach the transition as confidently as possible
Make their new space feel like home
A simple way to minimize stress and provide a sense of comfort before the big move is to decorate your loved one’s new space with their personal items. This could include a favorite blanket folded on the bed, a family photo on the nightstand, or a familiar, calming fragrance sprayed throughout the room. By creating a familiar environment from the beginning, you can help boost your senior’s sense of security.
Visit and communicate often
After the move, it is important that you give your loved one time to adjust to their new routine and living arrangements. Once they’ve settled, make it a priority to visit them on a regular basis as your presence, support, and love become increasingly important to them. If in-person visits aren’t possible because you live out-of-town, work with staff to schedule video calls. Many spouses of our memory care residents decide to move into our independent living community. Spouses can always stay close to their loved one without stepping outside!
Memory Care Options at Vista Grande Villa
At Vista Grande Villa, we know how challenging it can be to move your senior loved one out of their family home. We work hard to help families and seniors with dementia make a smooth transition into memory care in every step of the process. At VGV, we have an impressive array of amenities and specialized programming available for our memory care residents to help them find meaning and joy in each day. Our highly-trained and compassionate caregivers get to know your loved one and create a personalized care plan to meet their needs. To learn more, contact us today and schedule a tour.
