Being Part of the Family
Moving into a care home, such as Oakland Care is a big step to make. When your elderly parents get to the point when they need extra assistants that you can’t provide and are ready to move to a care home or a retirement home, it’s vital that you support them in this transition. Here are a few tips on how you, as a family, can help your loved ones to adjust to assisted living.
Schedule Regular Visits
When the time comes for your loved ones to move, the first thing is to find somewhere they’ll be happy. Try to find retirement apartments where they’ll be surrounded by like minded people. They will still have to get used to their new surroundings and to their neighbours but you can help to make this adjustment as smooth as possible.
They need to see familiar faces, so visiting them often can be incredibly helpful. If they are mobile enough planning a small surprise holiday can help cheer them up, but the main thing is to make them feel as though they are still part of the family, even when they are no longer living in their home. Take your children with you when visiting, inter-generational interaction is proven to have positive effect on both elderly and young. The most important thing kids can do is to spend quality time with their grandparents, talking to them, listening to their stories, and engaging in activities together.
Bring Personal Items
It’s vital that you help your parents have a sense of belonging. It can be challenging living somewhere new and unfamiliar, bringing some of their personal items can help greatly. Your parents might also enjoy having a splash of colour in their new apartment, so a blanket or quilt will provide some style together with much needed comfort.
A family photo album is another great way to bring in a part of their past to their new home. Many seniors also find having a small collection of their favourite books and magazines helpful. These can be a great way to promote happy reminiscence and stimulate their senses.
Ask children to make something for their grandparents. Making handmade cards or crafts is a great way for kids to show their grandparents how much they care. They can create special messages or drawings that their grandparents can keep and treasure.
Advocate for Them
Sometimes, it may be a struggle for them to do what they want or have things how they want them. But advocating for them can help; try to guide them through all of these changes, as this is going to be the best way to get them more accustomed to their new surroundings. They need aid, they need a listening ear, and you can be both. Depending on their grandparent’s abilities and needs, kids can assist with physical tasks such as helping them walk, carrying things for them, or assisting with small chores around their room.
Overall, kids can provide important emotional support to their grandparents in care homes by showing them love, affection, and attention. And they will learn a very important lesson too.
