A Guide For Families Transitioning a Loved One Into Memory Care

Moving your loved one into memory care is one of the most emotionally challenging decisions. The feelings can be overwhelming, yet this transition is required for your loved one to get the support and safety they need. In this guide, we’ll be walking you through this transition while acknowledging the emotions that come along with it.

Recognizing When Memory Care Is the Right Step

The decision to move a loved one to a memory care community rarely happens suddenly. More often, families notice a gradual increase in concerning behaviors and safety issues. Whether it’s finding them wandering outside in the middle of the night. Discovering they had forgotten to eat for days. Or realizing medication isn’t being taken despite constant reminders. These signs are often indicators that your loved one might be requiring specialized dementia care.

Preparing for the Transition: Practical Steps

Once you have found the right Alzheimer’s and dementia care home after thoroughly touring and asking the right questions during your visits, preparation becomes key to a successful transition. Here are the steps you need to take:

• Simplify the paperwork beforehand: Make sure you take care of all paperwork before the day of the move, this will ensure that the transition goes smoothly.
• Make sure the environment is familiar: Whether it’s a family photo, your loved one’s favorite blanket or a beloved chair, these things can bring comfort to your loved one.
• Providing a life story is crucial: Create a simple document that helps caregivers understand who your loved one is beyond their diagnosis. Include their preferred name, career history, accomplishments, hobbies and interests. This can help create a bond between the caregivers and your loved one from day one.

The Moving Day: What to Expect

Moving days are often filled with anxiety and stress. Understanding what to expect can help manage these emotions and allow things to go smoothly. Many memory care communities suggest moving your loved one during their best time of day, often mid-morning when energy is higher and confusion may be less pronounced.

Expect staff to be actively involved in welcoming your loved one. They’ll likely engage them in an activity or mealtime shortly after arrival, which can ease the transition while giving you space to complete any remaining details. Your loved one might seem to adjust immediately, become tearful, or express anger. All reactions are normal. Staff in memory care communities understand these emotional responses and have techniques to provide reassurance.

Many families find that a clear, loving, but brief departure works best. Lingering can sometimes increase anxiety for both you and your loved one. Remember that the adjustment period takes time, and the first day is just the beginning of the process.

The Adjustment Period: Setting Expectations

The transition period is different for everyone. While some residents adapt quickly to their new dementia care home, others may require more time to fully settle in. Understanding this helps manage expectations during what can be a challenging time.

During the first few weeks, shorter, more frequent visits often work better than lengthy ones. This gives your loved one time to get to know the staff and other residents. Trust the expertise of the staff. Memory care professionals have extensive experience helping new residents adjust. They’ll implement personalized approaches based on your loved one’s specific needs and responses.

Finding Your New Role

As your loved one adjusts to life in their memory care community, you’ll likely find yourself adjusting to a new role too. Many family members describe this transition as rediscovering what it means to be a daughter, son, or spouse rather than a full-time caregiver.

Without the stress of daily caregiving, your visits can now be opportunities for meaningful connection with your loved one. Most Alzheimer’s and dementia care communities are more than happy to have family participate in activities, meals, and special events. All you have to do is just ask!

Find Expert Guidance for Your Loved One’s Memory Care Transition at Bristol Park at Eagle Mountain

Transitioning a loved one to dementia care requires finding a community that has the right expertise and compassion. So, you can have the right peace of mind. 

At Bristol Park at Eagle Mountain Assisted Living & Memory Care in Fort Worth, we understand the challenges one faces during this transition. Our specialized memory care combines years of expertise, engagement, and personalized support designed to meet the unique needs of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

We invite you to schedule a tour of our community, meet our dedicated team, and see firsthand how we support both residents and their families through this journey.