Your family has made the decision that a memory care community could provide the best home for a loved one living with dementia. You’ve chosen the specific community and a move-in date. But now you may be wondering how best to help your loved one make a successful transition to memory care.
At Bruceville Point’s Harbor Memory Care, we not only understand how to provide the best care but are also skilled in helping residents transition from their current home to a new one in our community. Our experience and compassion can greatly relieve much of the anxiety as your family navigates this process.
Successfully Transitioning to Memory Care
Families can help loved ones make the transition into their new memory care homes as smooth and stress-free as possible. At Harbor Memory Care, we recommend the following suggestions to our families and new residents:
1. Familiarity beforehand will help with the move
Some of the most important steps you can take should actually occur before the move. The transition to memory care can be easier if your loved one has visited the community several times before move-in day. Arranging to participate in social events, activities or to dine with the other residents can begin to create a sense of the familiar.
2. Rely on the memory care director
At Harbor Memory Care, we remind our families that one of the most skilled and reassuring resources during this period of transition will be the community’s memory care director.
He or she will be your guide during what is likely an unfamiliar process. Rely on their recommendations, such as whether it might be better if you spend some good time with them or visit less frequently to help your loved one better adjust. A successful transition is the goal and working together as a team will more easily make that happen.
3. Plan how to create a new and welcoming home
A key to successfully transitioning to memory care is to help your loved one feel at home as soon as possible. At Harbor Memory Care, we work with families to consider what objects, furniture or personal items would best represent home and create a comfortable space. We recommend they plan ahead to create a residence that will be welcoming to their loved one when they first arrive.
4. Understand the logistics of the move
The Harbor Memory Care director works closely with our families and new residents on the details to create a successful transition. This might include what to bring and what to leave behind, how many sets of clothing will be needed and the best time of day to arrive.
We may recommend coordinating arrival with an activity or meal that can help naturally transition to familiarizing oneself with the community. We can also help our families with suggestions on what to say when it is time for them to leave.
5. Plan for the next days – but be flexible
Speaking with the memory care director on how to help your loved one adjust after moving in can help everyone know what to expect. A tentative plan can help your loved one settle in during the transition into the community but it’s also essential to be flexible.
Once moved in, your loved one’s reaction may call for more attention or it might be decided that less family communication would help your loved one acclimate easier.
6. Be patient and supportive
The timing can be different for each individual making the transition to memory care. At Harbor Memory Care, we advise families to allow up to two weeks for their loved one to begin settling into the routine.
We also recommend families be patient and supportive but if they feel their loved one is struggling or the process is taking longer, we encourage them to speak to our memory care director or staff with concerns or for suggestions.
Discover Life at Tenfold’s Bruceville Point
We created Bruceville Point to support our residents to live their best life possible. Our community’s design, residences, activities and amenities are all focused on assisting them to meet their lifestyle and wellness goals.
From the first moment you visit a Tenfold community, we believe you will immediately recognize what makes us different.
Discover the YUSM lifestyle
We believe the highest quality of life is created when our residents are supported to feel YOUTHFUL, stay USEFUL, be SPONTANEOUS and remain MOBILE. You’ll see evidence every day in how our care, services and amenities are all influenced by the strong philosophy we created that we call YUSM.
If you’re considering senior living for yourself or a family member, we’re here to answer any of your questions and we invite you to download our complimentary guide, Just the Facts: Your Guide to Memory Care.
Please contact us if you’d like more information or to schedule a personalized tour.
We hope you’ll visit Bruceville Point, where you’ll discover we’re a different style of senior living – and it’s all by design.
