Sometimes caring for an elderly loved one full-time just becomes too much to take on, and you need help. You hate to separate them from their home of so many years, but they can’t be left on their own long, and you still have to lead your own busy life, so being there all the time just isn’t tenable. One of the best ways to solve this difficult and emotionally fraught problem is to check your loved one into an aged care centre.
Things have come a long way from the days of dark hallways in lonely nursing homes, modern assisted living facilities like Wyoming aged care are bright and friendly spaces that feel like a luxury apartment complex for seniors, but still provide all the special care they need. Even so, it can still be difficult to make that big move. Talk through any fears and concerns, and keep a positive attitude, with the focus on this being a great new experience for all involved that everybody should be excited about.
A great way to make your elderly loved one feel more at home in their new living space is to add touches of the familiar to it. Sentimental items should be displayed prominently to remind them of the good times and provide them with a memory touchstone to the past. Balance that with new things like fresh flowers and a welcome to your new home gift that they will cherish. Frequent visits will help them settle in.
Getting adjusted to their new lifestyle and care regime isn’t going to happen overnight. Be patient, but also give gentle pushes to your loved one to participate in community activities and make new friends. Feeling as if they belong will go a long way to compensate for any sense of loss they may be experiencing about leaving their old life behind.
Getting acquainted with all the new neighbours down the hallway is a great first step in the acclimation process. Some of these residents will also be new to the place and thus easily relatable, while others will be veterans ready to share their experiences with newcomers. Community members are a wonderful resource, and their support is often key to a successful transition.
Your loved one will be getting acquainted with the staff members as well, who will present a welcoming attitude that will help alleviate any remaining trepidation. There will be meetings scheduled with caregivers to assess your loved one’s special needs and set up their care plan. The community’s social directors, nurses, fitness staff, dining staff, housekeeping staff, and many others will give your loved one plenty of attention.
The best possible thing that you can do is to make regular visits to your loved one as often as you possibly can. This is especially important during those difficult first weeks, your comforting presence will give them a feeling of security that will help them open up and gain confidence in their new community. The Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care has more useful information on their website. We wish you and your loved one a great new experience as they adjust to aged care living, we are sure they will grow to love it!
