Helping A Loved One Transition To Memory Care: Beginning the Transition

Because dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease are progressive, there will come a time when your loved one requires around-the-clock care. Many families choose to move their loved one to a memory care community for the peace of mind and compassionate, professional care it offers. However, the transition from “home” to a “memory care community” can be difficult and fraught with emotions, especially for a loved one who doesn’t always understand what’s going on.

In this series of blog posts, we will walk you through how best to help your loved one transition to their new home in a memory care community. While there’s no sure-fire way to make things completely smooth and easy, these tips will help ease the transition and keep both you and your loved one happy, content and as stress-free as possible.

What To Do Before The Move

So you’ve found the perfect memory care community for your loved one. You know the old saying, “measure twice, cut once?” It simply means that good preparation is the key to making things go the way you want. And as you already know, preparing is essential when it comes to anything related to your loved one with dementia.

Once you’ve decided the new place for your loved one, it’s time to start making it “home.” Prior to moving in, visit the community several times at different times of the day. Have your loved one join in events and meals so the setting starts becoming familiar. If the community has a guest apartment for rent, see if you can have your loved one stay overnight at least once – that way, the community hopefully won’t be scary and unfamiliar when it’s time to move.

These visits are also a great time for you to get to know the staff and help them get to know your loved one. Share your loved one’s story with the caregivers, provide information about their health needs and give them a rundown of preferences, likes, dislikes and interests. By knowing more about your loved one, the easier it will be for staff to form quick bonds that deepen into relationships.

Before moving day happens, you’ll also want to get the floor plan and layout for your loved one’s apartment. If possible, see if you can move in items prior to the actual move-in date so that your loved one arrives to a fully furnished, comfortable place. Here are a few tips:

Make the bed with familiar sheets so that the first night’s sleep feels familiar
Display family photos in prominent places so your loved one is surrounded by the people they love
Have some favorite, comfortable pieces of furniture like your loved one’s armchair or antique coffee table

Finally, talk with the staff and see about setting your loved one’s move-in at a time that’s good for everyone. If the individual has issues with sundowning, it’s probably best to move in early in the day when they’re more alert. It’s also good to know when the busy times are for the community, so you can avoid scheduling move-in during that time.

All of us at Avalon Memory Care understand that this can be a difficult transition for you and your loved one, and we are here to help. Our professional, caring staff is trained in how to help make our house your home, and we’ll do everything we can before, during and after the move to keep you and your loved one comfortable and happy. For more information about the memory care services offered at our locations, please contact us at (972) 713-1383.

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Testimonials

“Since my mother has lived at Avalon, I have had peace of mind for the first time since Alzheimer’s began to exact its terrible price from my mother’s life. Thank you for your part in making our lives better.”

Daughter | Ft. Worth, TX

“I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the care and love afforded to my mom over the last two weeks. Your success in finding such quality people has my gratitude and respect.”

Daughter | Dallas, TX

“We are very pleased with all of the efforts that your caring staff has made to smooth this traumatic transition.”

Son | Plano, TX

“I know my husband had the very best care in his final days. I regret that I did not know about Avalon sooner.”

Wife | Dallas, TX

“Mom spent the final 8 months of her life in Avalon Memory Care in Allen. The staff was great. There was rarely a day that my brother or I did not come by and they were always friendly to us and did their best to make mom comfortable and happy. We really appreciated them for everything they did.”

Daughter | Allen, TX

“Making the decision to place my mother in residential memory care was the hardest thing I think I have ever done. But living at Avalon has been the best thing for her at this stage of her life.”

Daughter | Allen, TX

“My grandmother has lived at Avalon Memory Care for 6 months now. I cannot speak highly enough about the warmth, dedication, and caring compassion of the staff. They always make us feel welcome and go out of their way to work with us to accommodate grandma’s needs.”

Grandson | Arlington, TX

“My grandmother spent her final days at Avalon and we couldn’t have asked for a better place to care for her. The caregivers are attentive and kind, and many of them have been with Avalon for years. If you are looking for a place to love on you and your family in a season that is inevitably difficult, Avalon is a wonderful choice.”

Granddaughter | Arlington, TX

“We are delighted with the facility of Avalon Memory Care. We just placed Grandma in an apartment with them and couldn’t be happier. It is clean and well-lit, and everyone greets us, down to the folks who clean up.”

Granddaughter | Arlington, TX