You know that transitioning your parent or loved one into a memory care community is best for him or her, but you still have doubts. You may be asking yourself questions like, “will my mother understand what is happening?” or “how will my father react to moving into a new environment?” You may even feel sad about the upcoming transition.

These mixed emotions and concerns are entirely normal to experience. It’s essential to acknowledge your feelings, as well as those of your loved one, and talk openly and honestly. 

Our team at The Pavilion Senior Living understands how difficult the decision and process of moving your parent or family member into a memory care community can be. We proudly offer memory care services in Lebanon and Carthage, Tennessee, and we are sharing some tips to help ease the transition.

Reduce the Surprise Factor

Feeling comfortable in a new environment or with new circumstances can drastically ease the situation. It is the unknown that typically causes anxiety. To help ease your loved one’s move into memory care, reduce the surprise factor as much as possible. 

Take a tour of the community with your family member. Attend events and participate in activities held at the community prior to move-in day. By doing so, you are familiarizing both your loved one and yourself with the new environment.

Additionally, talk about your loved one’s new home casually, but refrain from making comments that may cause anxiety. Simply talk about what you enjoyed about your tour or the new friends you met at a community activity. Speak of it as “home.” This will make it feel more like home when the move happens.

Make it Feel Like Home

Just like referring to your family member’s new memory care community as home will help it feel as such, there are other ways that you can cultivate this feeling. Bring sentimental items, such as family photographs, to decorate their apartment. Speak with team members in the community and ask what restrictions are in place in reference to furniture. If your loved one has a favorite chair or something similar, and if the community allows it, bring it with you on moving day. 

Filling your loved one’s new space with familiar items will help them feel more comfortable and at home in their new surroundings. 

Keep Your Family Member Out of the Moving Chaos

Moving is stressful for anyone, but this process may cause unnecessary anxiety for your loved one. Keep them out of the chaos of packing and moving as much as possible. If possible, take advantage of respite care services at your family member’s new community. Not only will this help them get familiar with their new home, but it will also grant you time to handle the packing and moving duties without causing your loved one additional stress.

Provide as Much Information as Possible

Get to know the caregivers and other team members at the community well before moving day. We encourage you to share as much information about your loved one with them as possible, such as their personal and medical history, likes and dislikes, and other key elements of their personality. 

This will help to form quality relationships between your loved one and the caregivers before the transition, easing anxiety and helping everyone to feel more comfortable.

Finding Memory Care in Tennessee

At The Pavilion Senior Living, we offer compassionate, person-centered care delivered by specially-trained caregivers. Within a safe, secure environment, our memory care communities in Lebanon and Carthage provide activities that encourage engagement, connection, and social wellness.

Our memory care services include:

• Specialized programming
• A secure living environment
• Assistance with the activities of daily living
• Caring and supportive team members
• Medication management

Throughout the process of transitioning a loved one into  memory care, it is important to remember that you are making the right decision for their safety and well-being. 

To learn more about the memory care and senior living services we offer throughout Tennessee, visit our website or contact a member of The Pavilion Senior Living team.