During your father-in-law's journey with Alzheimer's, your family has shared an amazing bond. While you have spent the past several months helping him out at home, it has now reached the point where he needs more intensive professional care. Naturally, you know that transitioning to any new living environment poses a few challenges for those with Alzheimer's disease, and you can use these strategies to ease the adjustment period so that your father-in-law thrives in his new senior residential community.
Keep Things Simple
Although you never want to hide the truth from your loved one, it may help to avoid making a big deal about the move. Try to avoid announcing the move too far in advance since this gives more time for anticipation anxiety to set in. Instead, tell your father-in-law about the move shortly before it is to occur. If you prefer to take him for a tour beforehand, ask the Alzheimer's care staff if he could attend a social function such as lunch where he can get acquainted with everyone in a relaxed setting.
Decorate With Familiar Objects
Over his lifetime, your father-in-law has accumulated possessions that hold memories to him, and respecting his preferences protects his dignity while also helping him to stay calm. While a move to memory care may require some downsizing, your father-in-law should still be able to keep his favorite comfort items such as photographs of the family or the bedding that he prefers. Prior to his move, try to decorate his living space with a few of his favorite things so that he feels instantly at home when he walks through the doors.
Talk to the Staff
Alzheimer's care staff enjoy getting to know the new members of their community, and you can give them a few clues that help ease their first several meetings. Let the staff know about subjects that your father-in-law likes to talk about, or make sure they know about special preferences that help make his day better such as playing a certain song before he gets ready for bed. This way, they can use this information to make him feel more comfortable from the very first day.
A move to a new residence is a major life transition for anyone, but those with Alzheimer's may need extra help getting comfortable in their new home. By setting up an environment that promotes a positive sense of wellbeing, you can ease your loved one's adjustment to their new senior living residence. For more information, contact a company like Wellspring Meadows Assisted Living.
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