Starting a New Chapter
Leaving familiar surroundings is not an easy thing to do. Home can mean many things. Maybe it was shared with a spouse, saw an entire family raised, or was simply a place to relax after years of long workdays. For most, a home is a place filled with a treasure trove of memories. For this reason, it can be hard to leave behind. However, it’s important to remember while leaving home can feel like the closing of a chapter, it isn’t the end of the story! A new chapter and new memories are waiting just around the corner.
At Loretto, we’re here to help you and your loved one transition into this new phase of life. It’s important to remember that you are not on this journey alone. With over 2,500 dedicated caregivers on-site, you can rest assured that your loved one will receive the individualized care they need, so you can both have peace of mind knowing that this decision will result in a better quality of life.
Having the Conversation
Initiating the conversation about senior care with a parent or family member is never easy. However, if you notice them beginning to struggle with daily tasks, or you have been acting as a caregiver and feel you are no longer able to provide the level of care needed, it may be time to consider other options. While you may feel guilty, it’s important to remember that this decision is being made in your loved one’s best interest, and will provide them with the quality of life they deserve.
It may be tempting to brush everything under the rug or move forward with this decision without going to your loved one first, but don’t! Open communication can go a long way when it comes to making the transition into assisted living. It’s important to give your loved one a voice in this matter, and involve them in the decision making process. Having the conversation will allow you to share your concerns and talk about the benefits of assisted living while giving your loved one a platform to talk about any concerns and fears they may have about making this transition.
Are you struggling with feelings of guilt, or wondering how to approach this conversation? The resources below can help. At Loretto, we’re here to support you and your family through this time of transition.
Steps to Making the Transition
Once you have both decided on the best location for your loved one and fulfilled all admissions requirements, it’s time to move them into their new home. While this is an exciting new chapter, we recognize that this transition can be an emotional one. Some of the steps below can help!
- Before proceeding on to the additional steps, it’s important to note that if your loved one is in need of memory care and is dealing with the challenges of memory loss, involving them too early in the moving process may cause anxiety. This can also be the case when it comes to the move itself. Often, it can be better to introduce your loved one to their new living space once it is set up with their personal belongings to make this transition as smooth as possible. If you have additional questions on how to make the move with a loved one dealing with memory issues, please don’t hesitate to talk with an Admissions Representative at the site. Our staff is here to help!
- If your loved one is not struggling with memory loss, allow them time to say goodbye to their home. Whether you take a last walk through and spend time reflecting on the good memories, or have a special meal all together, taking this time to acknowledge the wonderful purpose your loved one’s home served over the years can help provide a sense of closure. This will help them move forward into the next chapter of their lives, with the knowledge that happy memories can be made here too.
- Help your loved one personalize their space with familiar items from home to help them feel more comfortable. Bring favorite mementos, decorations, and photos. At Loretto, we encourage our residents to make their space their own!
- Get your loved one familiar with their new surroundings! The sooner they become familiar, the sooner their new space and community will feel like home. When you come and visit, have your loved one show you around. Ask them what their favorite things are. Acknowledge any concerns they have, and don’t hesitate to let our staff know. We’re dedicated to helping your family member feel comfortable and welcomed as they transition into this new chapter.
- Plan regular visits. Show your loved one that even though they’re living in a new place, they most certainly aren’t forgotten. Getting a visiting routine in place can help provide your loved one something to look forward to, and give them a sense of structure in the midst of this change.