A Guide to Transitioning Your Loved One to a Nursing Home: Tips for Families

The decision to move a loved one into a nursing home is never taken easily, and it can put enormous strain on a family. However, if the time has come, then it is important to make that transition as smooth and easy as possible for everyone involved.

It can be an incredibly emotional time as well as a physically demanding one and so we have put together a useful guide on how to make that transition as positive as possible.

Preparation is key

Before any move into a nursing home, it is important that you take the time to prepare your loved one and other family members for what is about to happen. You could introduce them to the nursing home through adult day care services to help familiarise them with the surroundings and staff. It is important that you communicate with your loved one as much as possible so that they understand exactly what is happening and feel as in control of the situation as possible.

They should be involved in planning what they want to take with them, what will happen to their home and belongings and how the move will be made to allow them to feel more comfortable with the entire process. By preparing your loved one for what is about to happen, they are likely to be more comfortable with it.

Planning for potential problems

There can sometimes be problems setting someone into a nursing home, so try to predict as many of these issues as possible before they occur. This means you can find solutions in advance and help prevent any upset or conflict that could make the move unsettling.

Work with nursing home staff

The staff at any nursing home will have experienced this situation before and should be able to offer you some useful help and advice in making the transition go smoothly. They will be able to anticipate a number of your questions and issues and will have solutions ready for you. They are not only professional and experienced, but also compassionate, so don’t be afraid to confide your fears in them as they will often be able to offer you valuable insights that can set your mind at ease.

Please ensure you share your loved one’s profile e.g. likes and dislikes, hobbies, passion, past job / career, birthplace, places they have visited. This would allow the Home to create a person centric care plan and importantly, build a rapport quickly.

Keep moving day stress free

The day your loved one moves into a nursing home is likely to be stressful for them, so it is important that you avoid adding to this. Make sure all clothes and personal possessions have been packed in advance so that there is no last-minute panic.

Plan with the nursing home team what time you will be arriving so that there is someone there to greet them and help them to settle in in a calm and friendly way. You can help to get their room ready while they’re introduced to staff and other residents so that their space will immediately feel familiar and comfortable.

Leaving while they are busy and occupied can also make the transition much easier as long goodbyes can bring about a lot of emotion.

Keep in touch

Lots of regular visits and phone calls to your loved one can be important in helping them to settle in and not feel isolated or pushed out. They can communicate any concerns that they have, allowing you to help find solutions, and they will always be grateful to see a familiar face.

Contact our team

The move to a nursing home is never easy, but experts like those at Ambleside Nursing Home are here to help make it as straightforward as possible. The team is trained to offer support to both residents and families in order to make the move to a nursing home the right one.

Get in touch with our time by phone 01934 642 172, email info@amblesidenursinghome.co.uk or by filling out our contact form.