A large percentage of senior citizens across Canada live in retirement homes, assisted living facilities and nursing homes. However, no matter how common or practical it might be, your senior-aged loved one might not be too happy about the idea of moving. It’s certainly understandable for older people not to want to change their residences, particularly if they have lived in the same place for a long time or if they are nervous about losing their independence. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to help get your senior loved one settled into a retirement home.
Choose the Right Retirement Home
The first step to helping your loved one get settled into a retirement home is choosing the right home in the first place. For example, you will want to look at the amount of care that your loved one needs and compare your options; of course, you will want to make sure that your loved one is able to get all of the care that he or she needs, but you should also know that he or she might not be happy in a full-service nursing home if he or she is still very independent and in good health. Make sure that you understand the differences and choose the right fit for your loved one.
Additionally, you will want to look at things like the size of the rooms or apartments that are offered for each senior, the amenities and activities that are offered and more. Taking your time when shopping around for a retirement community is important if you want to find a place that your loved one will really settle into.
Make it Feel Like Home
It can be tough for anyone to settle into a sterile-feeling room or apartment in a senior community. However, there are ways that you can work to make your loved one’s new place feel like home. Bringing in favorite photographs and decorations and putting them up around the apartment or room will help instantly make it feel more comfortable and personalized. You can also try adding a few green plants or a vase of fresh-cut flowers to breathe some life into the space, and you may want to hang up seasonal decorations, too.
Provide Companionship
Simply dropping your loved one off in a long term care facility probably won’t go over very well and might leave him or her feeling extremely lonely. Instead, consider carving out time to visit your loved one regularly after he or she moves in, at least until he or she is able to get settled.
Helping your loved one get adjusted to living in a new place can be tough, especially if it’s a retirement home. However, following these tips can help make things go much more smoothly and pleasantly for everyone who is involved, most of all your senior-aged loved one. There are additional resources available at Sienna Living if you are interested in learning more.
