Not only is the making of the decision to move your loved one to a nursing home facility tough, but the transition can be also be a very difficult time for both you and your loved one. This is a very new lifestyle that your loved one will need to adapt to, and they shouldn’t feel as if they are embarking on this journey alone. This will also involve a new lifestyle for you. There are a lot of pressures put on both the elderly and their families during these time periods. However, keeping a few things in mind can prove to be very helpful when it comes to making it through this transition leaving everyone involved happy and excited for the future.
Prepare as much as possible.
It is important to gather as much information as you can. The more educated that you are about these types of facilities, the better. You will be able to have educated conversations with the caregivers and administrators of the facility, assuring that you are getting the answers and information that you are looking for.
Being prepared doesn’t just come down to being educated. You and your loved ones are going to experience a very wide range of emotions during this transition, and you should be prepared for these feelings. The most important thing to do is acknowledge that you are feeling this way, making it easier to cope. If you do not try to hold these feelings back, the smoother this process will be. Being prepared for a wide range of feelings can help both you and your loved one through this process.
Voice your concerns.
This is important for both you and your loved one. Everyone involved knows that this is not an easy situation and that everyone has concerns. Do not treat these concerns as invalid, as they are important to whoever is feeling them. Often, adults are worried about how their parents will do living on their own, or vice versa. Talking through these concerns with your loved one, as well as the caretakers at the new facility, can help you think through these concerns. Bottling up concerns can often lead to bigger problems, such as anger, frustration, or aggression. Being open and honest about the things that are worrying you can help to ensure that everything is being talked through and planned accordingly.
No matter if you agree with someone else’s concerns or not, do not ever treat these thoughts as invalid. No one wants to feel misunderstood, especially in a time like the one that you are going through.
Stand your ground.
Although it is very important to listen and be respectful of everyone’s concerns, this does not mean that you should give up on your beliefs. It can be difficult for the family members of the elderly to stand their ground. After all, the decisions that are being made are directly affecting the elderly family member and not necessarily the family members. This can make it very difficult to stand your ground on decisions that you believe in.
When having these differing discussions, it is important to not forget about your own needs. Not only do you need your loved one to be in a safe and comfortable environment, but there are probably other things that will be directly affecting your life outside of the nursing home as well. There are reasons that you and your family have chosen to make this decision, so it is important to keep those reasons at the forefront of your mind when a disagreement arises.
Do not take anything personally.
Emotions will be running high during this time. The most important thing for both you and your loved one to remember is that this whole transition is happening out of love. Moving to a nursing home is the best decision for the entire family. Nothing is being done out of spite, hate, or frustration, although a lot of times the situation can feel this way. This process is occurring because it will make your entire family’s lives better. Having a constant reminder, for yourself as well as for your loved one, can help to remind everyone not to take anything that is happening personally.
It is okay to ask for help.
This is a very difficult time for everyone involved. Most people have not ever had to go through anything like this before and may not know where to turn. It is perfectly okay, encouraged even, to reach out for help. This help can come from many different places, including nursing home staff, friends who have gone through a similar situation, community members, doctors, or anyone else that you may know.
As for the legal side of this process, you can always reach out to an experienced nursing home negligence attorney at Finney Law Office, LLC. We want this process to go as smoothly as possible for everyone involved. If you have any questions that you cannot find within this guide, do not hesitate to contact us today.
Continue exploring this guide:
- Nursing Home Guide Negligence
- Choosing the Right Nursing Home
- Keeping an Eye Out For Abusive Behaviors
- What to Do If You Suspect Abuse or Negligence
Other nursing home related articles by Finney Law Office, LLC: