Dealing with nursing home care guilt is not easy, but it passes with time and concentration on the right things. Both you and your parents can have mixed feelings. Moving to a nursing home is particularly stressful, so follow these tips so that the transition goes as smoothly as possible.
Tips for an Easier Transition to Nursing Home Life
The first thing to know is that stress is not permanent and will quickly pass. Before moving to a nursing home, make a list of all the things you need to do beforehand. A new life will certainly require some new things you don’t have and may need to buy. See if they need new clothing or maybe even furniture. It is always good to prepare their medical history and hand it over to the staff.
Talk to the staff and tell them all the concerns you have on your mind. They are well prepared for every situation and usually quite experienced. Also, call your parent often during the first days in a nursing home and find out if they are dissatisfied with anything. If they complain about something, try to solve this with the facility staff. Organize family visits, especially at the beginning, and ask your siblings and relatives to also visit them often.
Once they move in, help them to find a friend. Ask facility staff if there is something like a buddy program. The sooner they find a friend there, the sooner they will feel less stressed.
The transition to a nursing home is inevitably stressful, but with these tips, you can make your life and the life of your parent much easier. The beginning is always difficult, but you will see how happy your parent is very soon.
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