How Can You Help a Relative Who Lives in a Care Home?

When a loved one struggles to take care of themselves sufficiently, they may be looked after better in a care home where professionals can offer round-the-clock assistance. While these homes are created to care for vulnerable people, it can be hard to see someone you love move due to their decreased independence. Moving into a care home can be unsettling, but you can support your loved one with these tips.

Understand Their Needs

Just because someone is moving into a care home doesn’t mean they will have the same needs as other residents. Your relative will have their own unique needs depending on their personal preferences, their mental wellbeing, and any health conditions they might have. If you can understand their needs, this takes the pressure off your loved one to remember or communicate them to care home staff. It isn’t always easy to stay abreast of your relative’s specific needs, so take note of them and have them handy during meetings to discuss their care plan. Of course, if they would rather not share certain details with you, don’t insist on prying unless their wellbeing depends on it.

Help Them to Feel at Home

Bringing family photos and familiar furniture to your relative’s care home can make the transition much smoother. They will have an easier time growing comfortable in these new surroundings when their own belongings are nearby. Each care home has its own policies for personal items, so check in advance.

Listen to Them

Some care home residents can feel as if they are not being listened to, either by carers or loved ones. Offer your time when possible and prove that you are there to listen, whether as a form of assistance or simply to catch up and enjoy the conversation. It is also worth noting that listening to residents helps protect them. This is especially important in cases of nursing home neglect where residents may report unacceptable actions by staff. It can be confusing to know when to take this type of complaint at face value, but it is always safer to pay attention rather than be dismissive. Listen to your loved one and take the necessary steps to help them with their situation.

Arrange Regular Visits

Feeling abandoned is common in care homes even when the level of professional care is exceptional. Visits from people your relative cares about are important for subduing this feeling, so make time to see your relative or facilitate others who may also wish to drop in.

Watching someone you love move into a care home can be tough, especially if you knew them when they had more independence and better health. There is plenty that you can do to assist your relative as they make this potentially disruptive and distressing adjustment to their life. By being understanding, helping them feel at home, listening, and visiting often, you can rest assured that you are doing everything to make life easier for the person you care about.