Article Contents
Introduction
If you are a senior and falling more frequently, not eating correctly, or becoming disoriented and puzzled, that situation is concerning. This should make you and your family members worry and consider senior care options. In such a situation, moving to a care home might just be the best possible decision in such a situation.
But the main issue arises in making the decision. For some, the choice can be quite straightforward. And for many, this decision can be overwhelming, challenging, and complex. We understand that transferring to care services can be emotionally and physically challenging for you.
Thus, we have a complete guideline to figure out the right time to move to a care home for you or your loved ones.
You may consider moving into a care home if you
- Require regular supervision
- Struggle with everyday activities
- Have a physical or mental illness
- Require better access to receive care
- Have safety concerns at home.
What Is a Care Home?
People who require a lot of aid and support with their personal care can stay in a care home. Care facilities should provide good outings or social activities in addition to 24-hour care, accommodations, and meals. Residents are cared for 24 hours a day by well-trained professionals. Depending on the type of care you require, care homes are classified as follows:
- Residential homes for the elderly (personal home care)
- Nursing care facilities (personal care with nursing care)
- Homes that provide both physical and emotional care (personal care, or personal care and nursing care)
When to Move to a Care Home
Various factors might influence the decision to move into a care facility. These factors make us consider senior care homes and help us move or go for senior downsizing. If you are facing some of the following situations in your post-retirement life, you might start thinking about moving to a care home facility:
- If you require a great deal of attention, especially at night and throughout the day.
- If you can’t get the care and supervision, you need at home.
- If none of the other alternatives – home adaptations, home care, downsizing, moving in with family, sheltered housing, and special care housing – work for you.
- See Getting a care needs evaluation if you’ve had a care needs assessment, and your care plan suggests it.
Reasons Why Your Senior Loved One Should Move to A Care Home
Here are a few explicit reasons why you or a loved one might think now is the ideal time to move into care homes:
1. Struggles with everyday activities
According to a 2017 report by the CDC, 9% seniors over the age of 75 to 84 require assistance with ADLs. If you’re having trouble managing ADLs like cleaning, cooking, dressing, shopping, and washing, it can be worth enlisting the help of a caregiver. But you will not always get assistance from your family members or friends. If you can’t get extra help on a regular basis, moving into senior living communities can provide you with the ongoing assistance with IADLs you require.
2. Physical and mental illness
Taking care of yourself when you’re sick, after slipping and falling, or when you have complex medical issues is difficult. You may need to take medication on a regular basis in addition to dealing with any pain, injuries, or limitations. Failure to do so can become a matter of life and death. But it is also quite common for seniors to forget to take daily medications.
This makes moving to a nursing care facility the best decision. You will get access to care outside the family caregivers. As a result, you will have better long-term care facilities for your physical and mental illnesses.
3. Better caregiver access than family and friends
Family members or friends may not always be able to assist or offer enough care. This could be due to their own work or the fact that they reside a long-distance away. Thus, it might be time to consider moving into a care facility if this is the case.
4. Better safety in care homes
Apart from the difficulty of carrying out everyday tasks, maintaining your home is also challenging. Certain activities around the house may jeopardize your safety. Walking up and down the stairs, bathing, getting into and out of bed, and cooking are all potential hazards. This could also signify that it’s time to transfer into a care facility to keep safe.
Move to a Care Home Together as a Couple
Caring for your loving spouse, as a senior yourself, can be extremely challenging. In addition, it can be a daunting task if you both need care for activities of daily living.
Let’s face it, caring for a senior can be a stressful job. We all want to be responsible for our senior loved ones. But when you are 60 plus and need to take care of your life partner, it is not easy at all.
So, the first thing you can consider is home care. But there are limitations to this as well. The caregiver at home care will probably be available during a particular time period. What happens when you want a professional hand, and there is no one in the house at that moment to take care of you or your loved one?
As you grow old, the needs will start becoming more complex. You will end up requiring more support from a third person. Our advice is to start looking for a care home right away. Care homes would be the best possible solution for you and your spouse. You can enjoy each other’s company without having to worry about taking care of each other.
Moving Someone with Dementia into A Care Home
The decision to move a loved one with dementia into a care home is never an easy one. However, there may come a time when it is no longer possible for the individual to live safely at home. When this happens, choosing a care home that will provide the best possible care and support is important.
There are a number of factors to consider, such as the location of the home, the type of care provided, and the cost. It is also important to visit the care home in person to get a sense of whether it would be a good fit for your loved one.
Once you have chosen a care home, the staff will work with you to create a tailored care plan that meets the unique needs of your loved one. This may include providing help with activities of daily living (ADLS), such as bathing and dressing, as well as offering social and recreational activities. With the right care and support, your loved one can continue to enjoy a good quality of life despite their dementia.
What If You Don’t Think a Care Home is the Right Place for You?
Moving into a care home is a big step, but it’s not the only one. There are more options and opportunities for senior care facilities in the USA. For instance, you can downsize from your current living environment to an independent living facility if you and your spouse are fit enough to take minimum care of yourself.
Seniors who want to live in a vibrant and safe community without having to worry about housework, cooking, or housekeeping usually pick independent living facilities. Retirement communities, retirement homes, senior housing, and senior apartments are examples of independent living housing. They’re similar to mini-college campuses. They bring seniors of similar ages together in a community that allows them to socialize.
Assisted living may be another option for you to consider. In a care community, an assisted living complex comprises modest units. Various care communities offer a wide variety of services. If you can live independently but need some help, assisted living may be the right choice for you.
Impact of Moving Into A Care Home
The transition from living independently to living in a care home can significantly impact an individual’s mental and physical health. In addition, the move can be disruptive to established routines and social connections. For some people, this can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
It is important to remember that everyone reacts differently to moving into a care home, and there is no right or wrong way to feel. Some people find that they quickly settle into their new surroundings, while others may need more time to adjust. Regardless of how you feel about the move, it is important to communicate your needs and expectations to the staff or family members to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Moving into a Care Home Checklist: Things to Take with You
Moving into a care home is a big change, and it can be tricky to know what to take with you. Here is a handy checklist of things to keep in mind as you pack up your belongings:
- Daily living items – This includes items like toiletries, clothing, and bedding. You may also want to bring along any special mementos or keepsakes that will help you feel at home.
- Medical needs items – Be sure to pack any prescription medications, as well as any over-the-counter drugs that you take on a regular basis. You should also bring along a list of your allergies and any other medical conditions that the care home staff should be aware of.
- Paperworks – It’s important to make sure that you have all the paperwork in order. This includes your ID, insurance information, and any medical records you may need.
- Hobby items – When moving into a care home, it’s important to think about what hobbies and activities you might want to pursue. Based on your hobbies, bring the necessary equipment such as art supplies, yarn and needles, deck of cards, or gardening tools.
- Personal belongings – To help you feel at home, bring along some personal or sentimental items like family photos, favorite books or magazines, and small pieces of furniture.
Conclusion
Finding the right time to move to a care home can save you from a lot of trouble. This includes physical, mental, financial, and decision-making issues you may face at the later stages of life. Some signs that it may be time to move into a care home include when a loved one can no longer live independently, needs constant supervision, or is showing signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
If you are unsure if it is time for a loved one to move into a care home. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered in that area as well. Better yet, we have experts who can advise you with the best possible option for you.
BoomersHub can be your one-stop referral and resource guide in selecting the best senior care facility near you. Our local advisors will guide you towards the best pick for you and your loved ones. Check out our senior living blogs to get detailed ideas about our services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any perfect time to move to a care home?
It is totally a personal decision to move to a care home. However, there are certain factors and signs that you can look into. You can consider care from your family and friends as long as possible. Yet, it is always best to consider shifting to a care facility at an early stage to avoid complications.
Will I receive better care at a care home?
The answer is yes, of course. Care homes offer numerous services for the residents. They have better care providers, social activities, security, meal services, and many more. Thus, injured veterans, dementia patients, and fragile seniors can get the best care from care homes.
What should I do when my loved one finds it difficult to care for me?
It is quite common for a loved one to find it challenging to care for a senior. It is physically and emotionally draining. In such a situation, the smartest and most considerate thing is to move to a care home.
Can I move to a care home with my loved one?
Some people do not want to live alone in a care home. But to be honest, you don’t necessarily have to live alone and away from your loved one. You and your partner can move to a care home together. It will obviously increase the total costs. Nevertheless, you and your loved one will receive the same care and spend a quality life together.
How to move from one care home to another?
If you are considering moving to a new care home, it is important to plan ahead. Here are some steps to help make the transition as smooth as possible:
- Talk to your current care home staff and let them know about your decision and ask for help
- Research care homes online that match your needs and preferences
- Contact the homes you are interested in and schedule tours
- Decide which home is the best fit and make a move plan
- Work with your care home staff to make sure everything is in order before you leave
