There comes a time in many people’s lives where they must move an elderly relative into a care home. It’s never an easy process, especially when your loved one is worried about the care home they’re moving into, but it is often for the best.
If your elderly relative is to move into a care home soon, you might be wondering what you can do to help. To make sure everything goes smoothly, be sure to do the following.
1. Inspect the Care Home
Before you pack up your loved one’s items and get them settled, you should first inspect the care home, from the amenities to the exact bedroom they’ll call home. It is a crucial step, as you want to ensure the place is right for your family member. Plus, you’ll be visiting in the future, so it’s always better to familiarize yourself sooner rather than later. Don’t forget to introduce yourself to as many people as possible, as that will also help you pick up the general vibe. If you still need to find a care home for your relative, take a look at nursing care homes for a luxurious environment.
2. Declutter Your Elderly Relative’s Home
The next stage is all about preparing your elderly relative’s home for their departure. Whether they are keeping the home or selling it on, it’s important to have a huge declutter so they know exactly what they have and what they want to take with them. Do it one room at a time, and make sure you keep a box (or two) full of items your loved one wants to get rid of or give away.
If the home is to be sold, consider where you will put all the belongings that won’t go to the care home, but your loved one doesn’t want to throw away. You could find a spot in your home, or you could look into storage units.
3. Decide Which Personal Belongings to Take
Next, you and your loved one must figure out what they should take. Don’t rush this part, as you want to ensure they are as comfortable as possible as soon as they enter the home.
Some things to remember include:
·        Clothes
How many clothes they bring is up to your loved one and the care home’s amount of storage. If they have two wardrobes full of clothes, the wardrobe at the care home may not accommodate that much clothing.
·        Personal Items
Personal items are extremely important, as you want your loved one to feel at home in their new bedroom, and an old teddy bear, necklace, or picture frame will help with that.
·        Toiletries
Once they get there, they will need all of their bathroom essentials like toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and more, so include their favorite toiletry items before leaving for the care home.
·        Decoration
A care home shouldn’t be a place where every room looks the same. After all, your loved one is an individual, so pack decorative items so that they can decorate their space how they see fit. It’s the little things like this that’ll help them feel still independent.
Help Them Move and Settle in
Finally, you must take your loved ones and all their belongings to the care home and help them settle in. Introduce them to everyone you meet, show them all the local amenities, and help them unpack. Most importantly, let them know that you’ll often be visiting so they don’t feel so alone. Don’t worry – they’re likely to make lots of friends in no time!
Article Submitted By Community Writer
