Taking the First Step – Helping Your Loved One Transition Into Aged Care

It’s no secret that, as we age, we rely on our families to help us make some important life decisions. Finding all the information you need can be a challenge, but if you are helping your loved one shift into aged care, here is how you can make it a seamless transition.

Involvement

Sometimes, you’ll need to make important decisions on behalf of your loved one, although that doesn’t mean they can’t be involved. When choosing the right aged care facility for them, take them along for the journey. A number of great facilities will welcome a visit from your entire family to ensure that everyone is comfortable with your loved one’s new care system. This is the experience many have had when exploring aged care in Newcastle NSW. The staff at these facilities will be able to answer any questions you all may have, give you a tour, and potentially start some very important relationship building. This kind of involvement is a great start to the transition into aged care.

Pop in

One of the most important steps in transitioning your loved one into aged care is making sure you offer support. It can sound quite basic but just visiting regularly can be incredibly powerful. We all take time to establish ourselves in a new home, but seeing a friendly, loving and familiar face can make that transition that much easier. When visiting, make it a point to ask who they have spoken with, what activities they have done, and what they enjoy about their new surrounds. Bringing these fun new experiences to the top of mind can have a big impact on the successful transition in the early stages of life in aged care, and revisiting the past is a common enjoyment for aged loved ones.

Make connections

When you are helping your loved one transition into aged care make an effort yourself, to get to know the staff and support crew at the facility – it can make a huge difference in the long run. Speaking with staff will allow you to build rapport, so feel confident in passing on important personal information to help your loved one transition much faster. Getting to know the team will help them get to know your family and create an environment that feels just like home. It also helps when you are looking for detailed updates about their transition, as staff will make an effort to keep a close eye out.

Keep it familiar

Wherever possible, speak with the facility about what can be brought in with your loved one’s belongings. One of the best ways to ease any transition is familiarity. Taking personal belongings from their home into the new aged care surrounds will make your loved one feel instantly more at home. Start with the primary items like photos, trinkets and even bedding if possible. Remember that familiarity isn’t exclusive to one sense either, smells and even sounds can also be very important. If there is a record or musical item that would help them transition, it will be worth bringing it along.

Helping your loved one transition into aged care can be an exciting next step in life for both of you. Getting the transition right is important for everyone, even the staff at the facility. Take the time to use this simple guide to help your loved one transition into aged care the right way.