Studies show that the number of aging Americans living with dementia is growing. By decade’s end, that number is expected to reach nine million. It’s forecast to climb beyond 12 million within the next two decades. Because of that, the need for memory care is rising in proportion. Memory care is certainly essential for those who are suffering from dementia. They need that extra level of specialized care to keep them safe and foster their health and happiness for as long as possible. Still, making the move to a memory care community may not be easy.
Simplifying the Transition to Memory Care
Transitioning to a new life isn’t easy for anyone. It can be particularly difficult for senior citizens especially those who are battling dementia. Though memory care living is the best solution for them, they may struggle to adjust to the idea of moving. Settling into different routines in a new home may be even more of a challenge.
Summerfield of Redlands is a senior living community that caters to a vast range of needs. We’re dedicated to providing personalized care for each of our residents, and our team understands the unique requirements of those suffering from various stages of dementia. With a long list of amenities and services, we provide the highest level of care and compassion to ensure your loved ones are in the best possible hands.
Advice for Making the Transition to Memory Care Easier
Certain measures can make packing and moving to memory care a bit simpler for your elderly loved one and the rest of your family. Unique challenges arise when helping a senior citizen move, and those struggles are even more intricate when dealing with dementia and other conditions. Keep the following points in mind as you forge through the moving process to ease the stress on your aging loved one.
Choose Your Loved One’s Level of Involvement
In many cases, caregivers are advised to allow their elderly loved ones to be involved in sorting through belongings, packing, and choosing which items to keep or eliminate. Dementia creates special circumstances, though. Since this condition develops in stages and worsens as it progresses, your loved one may not be able to actively participate in the process. Think about your loved one’s general mindset and where he or she is in the progression of dementia. Let that be your guide.
If possible, allow your loved one to help choose which sentimental items make the move and which ones should be given to relatives, donated, or thrown away. In the event he or she can’t make those decisions, talk about what you’re doing with those belongings and why. Sometimes, simply keeping your loved one in the loop can help make things easier. Simple measures like eliminating distractions and allowing a loved one to hear your voice as you make preparations may keep him or her calm.
Patience is Crucial
Dealing with a loved one suffering from dementia takes a great deal of patience. This condition’s victims are often easily agitated. After all, the confusion it causes can transform everyday life into a frightening experience even in a calm, familiar environment. Getting ready to move creates a chaotic situation that can exacerbate your loved one’s confusion, fear, and frustration.
Depending on how far your loved one’s dementia has progressed, getting ready for moving day can bring up more challenges than you might expect. In later stages of the condition, he or she may not fully understand what you’re doing even if you’ve explained it multiple times. In your loved one’s eyes, you may be playing a cruel joke or even stealing his or her belongings. You may need to bring progress to a halt until your loved one calms down or even take matters into your own hands when he or she is asleep.
Eliminate Stress Wherever Possible
Think about the situation carefully as you plan your loved one’s move and how to address various details. You don’t have to do everything all at once when preparing to transition to memory care in Redlands, CA. In fact, it’s best to proceed gradually, tackling one task at a time until you reach the end goal.
If your loved one is moving into a fully furnished apartment, you may not even need to worry about dealing with furniture and appliances until after he or she has settled into the new place. That will certainly take a great deal of stress out of the process. For those whose memory and cognitive ability have already declined significantly, it may be easier to initially send a few favorite outfits, some familiar bedding, and a few sentimental items. From there, you can slowly work your way through the remainder of the belongings after the move.
Finding the Best Approach to Your Loved One’s Move
Several tips and tricks can help make a move easier. They include creating a plan and sticking with it and eliminating non-essential belongings so there’s less to move. When it comes to helping a loved one with dementia transition to memory care, though, some of the more traditional approaches may not apply. Try to reduce stress by keeping your loved one calm. Have patience, and don’t do more than you have to along the way.