8 tips to help transition your loved one to memory care

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia is often hard work. You may eventually come to a realization that they will have to transition their loved one to memory care. This isn’t always the happiest decision, and the process often comes with an array of emotions. Here’s a list of tips you can try to help make their transition a bit easier.

1. Visit the facility a few times. See if you can do some activities with the residents or have an afternoon coffee with them. Your loved one might not necessarily remember specific meetings, but it will build a sense of familiarity that will make them more comfortable once the move comes.
2. When you are detailing your loved one’s care routine to their new caregivers, be as thorough as possible. Include details about their normal routine, what activities they like or don’t like, even information about their background. When it comes to memory care, no amount of information is too much!
3. Do something fun with your loved one while someone else handles the moving. The process of moving often creates a chaotic environment and it will likely make them nervous and uncomfortable.
4. Make their new room look as much like home as possible. Include pictures, favorite items like quilts, and familiar furniture. It’s probably best to not buy brand new items and fill their room with things that are not familiar to them.
5. Visit them as often as possible during the initial week or so after you’ve transitioned them! Keep up normal routines and activities while you are there. This will help them adjust to their new surroundings.
6. Talk with their new caregivers for the first few days after you’ve moved them. This will give you some insight into how they are dealing with the transition, and allow for the caregivers to express any thoughts or concerns.
7. Moving your loved one to a new environment can undoubtedly raise mixed emotions. But, try to display as positive an attitude as possible. Individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia can pick up emotions easily, so if you are stressed, they will likely become stressed as well.
8. Trust yourself! It’s easy to get caught up in a spiral of worry, guilt, stress, and other negative emotions. But, you made the best possible decision for both yourself and your loved one. So you should rest easy!