Transitioning from a Home to a Memory Assisted Living Facility

Regardless of your experience with moving, and no matter how many benefits there are to moving an older family member to an assisted living facility for those living with memory disorders, moving from a comforting environment that the family member knows can be a struggle. Even if both environments are comforting and safe, the family member may still resist the move, especially if the home is one where this family member has lived for his or her life and is filled with memories.

However, it is not impossible, because these 6 tips for planning a smooth transition to an assisted living community for those with memory disorders will allow you and your loved one to talk through everything first and come up with a plan to make the move run smoothly.

The best ways to create a good transition to an memory assisted living facility:

●    Use what you have to keep the environment comforting. By using a favorite rug, a piece of furniture, or some artwork from your family member’s home and putting it into their assisted living home, will give them something familiar to connect to as they adapt to their new environment.
●    Get involved in the community lifestyle. By visiting the assisted living facility before moving day and getting to see the environment and meet the staff, this will help your loved one acclimate better.
●    Downsize early. Understanding what you can and can’t bring to the assisted living home will help you when it comes time to downsize and moving the loved one’s objects from their home.
●    Visit the family member. Coming over for meals and making a schedule to keep your visits consistent is important, but so is giving your family member time to make new friends.
●    Throw a party. A housewarming party that includes a tour of their new home will also give your loved one something to look forward too.

The most important tip of all:

However, the sixth and final tip and the best one of all is to prepare for problems. Moving is stressful, especially for someone with Alzheimer’s. Things will be emotional and things will not go as planned, but keeping a cool head and following these 6 tips for planning a smooth transition to an assisted living community will make sure that the transition goes as smoothly as possible and your loved one is in a place where they will get the best care.

Hundreds of Thousands of Kids Live with Loved Ones who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease

What do these children know about the disease and how did they find out?

How to talk with kids about Alzheimer’s Disease depends first on the age of the child. For preschoolers and elementary school students, the discussions must be as simple as possible to foster an understanding that prevents confusion and hurt feelings. For teenagers in middle and high school, educators and parents must reassure this group that they or their parents will not necessarily suffer Alzheimer’s because a grandparent or other loved one suffers.

How to Talk with Kids About Alzheimer’s Disease

There is nothing predictable about Alzheimer’s. Without at least a general understanding of the disease, children’s feelings and self-esteem can be hurt. Children may feel as if they have done something wrong if their loved one cannot remember them or is agitated. The positive power of knowledge during all stages of the disease, makes a world of difference in the lives of developing children and teenagers.

Discuss the Disease. The most apparent symptom is memory loss. Teach the children to be understanding, loving, and respectful. Teach them that the loved one who suffers is still the same person. In some families, a group discussion which includes the patient is highly beneficial. Learn about the disease together.

K.I.S.S. (Keep it So Simple). Children do not necessarily need a great amount of detail about the disease. If they are interested, they can do some research on their own, which may be a good coping mechanism for some teenagers.

Reassure. Alzheimer’s is not contagious and the loved one is still the same loved one. The only difference is that the loved one suffers symptoms.

Hearing from Peers. The Alzheimer’s Association offers videos, books, and other literature which can help in educating children and families about the disease. Hearing from other children who live with loved ones suffering from the disease can be extremely helpful.

Regardless of age, all children must be reminded to engage in normal activities with their loved one. All kids must be reminded that their loved one is still their loved one, a person who deserves love and respect throughout the symptoms of the disease.