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How to Help a Loved One Transition to Skilled Nursing Care

Woman in assisted living facility with nurse

Transitioning to a Skilled Nursing Facility can be a difficult and emotional process for your loved one and your family. Making the decision to move your loved one to a full-time facility is an incredibly big shift in their life, and oftentimes it comes with feelings of anxiety and stress. Being there for your loved one every step of the way can help them have a positive transition to their new home.

Offer Your Support

One of the best things you can do for your loved one is to offer your support throughout the entire research and moving process. It can be overwhelming to make such a big change in their lives, and having their loved one by their side to help them make decisions can take some of the burden off their shoulders.

Keep Communication Open

Keeping honest and open communication flowing throughout the process will help all parties feel involved and understood. In some cases, the decision to move to a care facility can make your loved one feel like they are powerless, and that they are losing their independence. Making them a part of the planning process and ensuring that their input on their new living facility is heard, can help lessen these feelings. Speak to them about the items they feel they need in a home and any special considerations that need to be kept in mind.

When possible, it’s highly important for both you and your loved one to visit the facility and take a tour of their potential new home. This will not only allow you to see the place in person, ask detailed questions, and get a feel for the environment, but it will help them establish a connection and be able to picture themselves there.

Create a Plan

Once you have chosen the nursing facility, it’s important that you and your loved one have all the information laid out about the plan to move in. Pay special attention to the items they are allowed to bring with them and create a detailed move in plan so there is no unnecessary stress. Offer to help them sort through their things and ensure that all the items they want, and need will be coming along with them.

Encourage Involvement

After moving in, it might take a bit for your loved one to get acclimated to their new environment and feel comfortable enough to jump into their community. You should encourage your loved one as much as possible to attend as many events as possible and be involved with their fellow residents.

Visit

One of the best things you can do for your loved one is to remain as present in their lives as you were before their move! Aging seniors often fear that the move to a care facility means becoming isolated from their family and the people they love. The best way to combat that fear is to create a schedule to relieve their stress and let them know when you will be visiting! Regular visits benefit them greatly but are also a great way for you to monitor your loved ones’ care and progress.

Learn More About Our Long-Term Care Facility!

At Shaker Place, we highly encourage and welcome family involvement for our residents! We believe that engagement and socialization is key to our residents meeting their goals and feeling positive and happy at Shaker Place. Our mission is to create an environment where your loved one gets the quality care they deserve, and the ability to build strong relationships with our residents’ families helps us to do so. Visit our website to learn more about our award-winning facility or schedule a tour today!