One of the hardest things in life is watching your parents age. When they start to struggle to look after themselves, often the best solution is for them to move into a care home . Although this can be upsetting for all parties initially, it can be a positive change in the long run as it ensures that they get the care that they need, they will be able to be social each day, and generally have a higher quality of life than if they were looking after themselves. Additionally, there are a few steps that you can take to make the transition easier too.
Visit Often
Obviously, it is important that you visit them regularly so that they feel supported and connected to their family. Although it is important to visit regularly, they will also need time to settle and get familiar with their surroundings, so make sure that you give them time for this too. When you do visit, make sure that it is an enjoyable experience and take them out as, otherwise, these places can sometimes feel claustrophobic.
Home Comforts
Their room needs to be made to feel like their home so that they can settle and relax, as without decoration and personalization, the room will feel too hospital-like. Discuss with them what they want for the room and help them to achieve this by bringing items like:
- Photo frames
- Ornaments
- Colorful pillows and throws
- Paintings
- Plants
It is also helpful to bring their favorite food and drink each time you see them and always ask if there is anything else that you can bring.
Maintain Communication With Caregivers
One of the best ways that you can support your parent is to maintain regular communication with their caregivers. These will be the people that are providing care and support on a daily basis, so it is helpful to stay in the loop, develop positive relationships and show that you care. Be sure to regularly thank them for their hard work too.
Ensure They Are Getting the Proper Care
It is also important to make sure that your parent is getting the care that they need in terms of emotional support, supervision and physical care. The elderly are one of the most vulnerable groups in society and may struggle to ask for the care that they need. If you do not think that they are being cared for properly, you could make a claim for negligence with a specialist like the medical negligence experts . This could help to fund a move to a different home or improve the quality of life for your parent while simultaneously holding those accountable responsible for their actions and stop future problems from occurring.
Moving a parent into a care home can be stressful and upsetting for all parties. Ultimately, this should prove to be a positive change in the long run as it will ensure that they are getting the care that they need while also staying social . These steps should make the transition smooth and help your parent to get settled and adjusted to life in a retirement home.
