How to Get an Elderly Person into Care Home

-by Ishita Mondal

–Reading Time – 8 min Approx

–Edited by – Srishti Bhattacharyya

Taking care and providing the most comfortable life – that’s what we all want for the elderly people in our house. They raise us till we grow up to stand on our own. They provide all the necessary comforts to us so that we do not feel deprived of life. Now, when they reach the age when they need the same comfort and care, we shouldn’t ignore it. If we do that, it will be a threat to humanity. Being human to love and being loved is important. 

However, taking care of an elderly person is not as easy as it sounds. It is said that when a person grows old, he or she becomes more like a child or somehow more vulnerable than a child both physically and mentally. They become fragile, weak, and childish. Alongside this, multiple health issues come across too. Considering all of these factors, we can say that handling an older adult is a task of responsibility that you must perform at its best. This is why many people often wonder how to get an elderly person into a care home.

Overcoming the generation gap and the contradictions coming out of it, you may have to make them understand multiple things. You need patience and perseverance for this. Moreover, you need good medical knowledge to take proper care of them. So, sometimes, it becomes essential to go for some professional options. A care home is a good option in this matter. It is one of the advantages of modern days.

If you have thought about how to get an elderly person into care home, we got you. You may have a vague idea about a care home but you do not know the process of getting into it. No worries! We are here with a detailed guide on how to get an elderly person into a care home. You will also get an all-inclusive moving a parent into a care home checklist in this write-up.

Before we go for the process of getting into the care home, let us describe in brief what a care home is.

What is a Care Home for Elderly People:

Usually, due to the constantly changing lifestyle, there are innumerable things that we often miss. One of them is, unfortunately, taking proper care of our older generations at home. Understanding this situation, the concept of a care home for elderly people is established. However, in general, care homes have multiple purposes like keeping little children, taking care of women, and taking care of elderly people. The homes provide people-oriented services aiming at giving the people a comfortable life.

Now, what do care homes for older people provide? The care homes have their own menu in their pockets. In general, an ideal care home for elderly people should include:

• All basic necessities for life,
• Clean and hygienic accommodation, and
• Round-the-clock attention from the healthcare professionals.

As per the requirement, it provides comfortable and healthy accommodation for the old people. When our elders need extra supports to sustain life and do not have the proper knowledge to provide them, a care home helps. Under personal care, a person is offered a healthy diet, washed clothes, etc. Routine health check-up is a significant part of professional help.

Some special homes prefer to arrange trips, social gatherings, recreational activities, and so on. In short, a care home for elderly people offers the care and attention that you may not provide by yourself. The difference between a care home and a nursing home is that a care home feels like a second home. On the other hand, a nursing home is for utmost medical emergencies. You have to live as a patient there.

The Process of Getting an Elderly Person into Care Home:

Now, coming to your main concern, let’s know how you can move your loved ones to a care home.

Talk to the Elderly Person:

It is the most crucial step to follow. It includes a lot of emotional upheavals from both sides-the older person and you. The person may feel abandoned or insecure, while you may have some guilt in mind for not taking proper care of them yourself. Whatever comes up in your mind, let us tell you that moving into a care home when needed is a practical solution for many problems. Care home does not mean abandoning the person. Also, it does not signify that you are not capable enough to take care of the person.

Care home is a professional yet personal space to provide good care to older adults, which we may not be able to provide. So, there is nothing to feel wrong about. Considering that you are matured enough, we ask you to take the step. Make the person understand why it is essential to move to a care home. However, make sure you do not force them. Take time and talk to them compassionately. Make them understand.

Do your Research:

Once the person is ready to get into a care home, the next step is to find the right one. An array of care homes and assisted livings are available around us nowadays. Consider the factors associated with it and choose accordingly. A small suggestion from our side – do not go for the gorgeous advertisements. Instead, check out the internal facilities and services offered. A personal visit to the center is the best always.

Also, consider the location. Make sure the care home is not far away from your living place. If you choose a care home near your home, you can meet the person anytime. Your research must include the supervision of the services provided by the care center. Make sure the staffs and managers have the proper skills, time, and adequate experience to perform well in their job. Pay attention to the foods and medicines provided by the center. Moreover, it has a look at whether the care home offers easy access to medical facilities or not. And finally, take some feedback from the other persons living there or from someone you know.

Estimate the Budget:

Now, you have decided which care home you should opt for. The next step includes the estimation of the budget. First of all, have a precise estimate of how much you can afford. Then find the center accordingly. Before you put the person into the care home, make sure that you have a good source of money to be utilized for that purpose only. Sometimes, NGOs help to bear the finances. If you cannot afford the budget, you may contact a renowned NGO for help. Also, you can seek help from trustworthy family members and friends.

Get Support from Family and Friends:

We are social beings. When it comes to moving an elderly person into a care home, you must need emotional support from your loved ones. Take help! Seek help to pack and shift the things, ask for emotional support if necessary.

It is imperative to ask for help because if you feel depressed, anxious, or out of your mind. A lot of things on the to-do list, but you may find the time to be limited. In that case, along with support from friends and family, you may go for the counseling process. It will help you to cope with the situation quickly. Also, you can take the elderly person with you. Thus, you can overcome the stress and anxiety aroused by the case.

Tick the Checklist and Move:

Now, it’s time to move. Have a look at the bag pack and check if all of the necessary things are taken or not. The checklist includes everything from basic needs to luxury living.  Make sure to avoid the last moment hassle. Pack up everything properly, tick the checklist out, and move happily. Spend some time with the elderly person on the road.

The Conditions Demanding Care Home Attention:

In general, a care home is a good place for people who are in their old age. It helps them to live their last phase of life happily and safely. Care home connects them with friends of the same age. However, some crucial conditions demand special care home attention. While asking about how to get an elderly person into a care home, you must know about these essential conditions.

The conditions are:

• When they lose their partners and cannot handle the lonely life
• When they have some complex medical condition like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease etc.

How to Get an Elderly Person into a Care Home- The Checklist:

Before you move, tick out the checklist. It will help you to enjoy your journey to the care home without any worry or tension. Find the checklist below.

• Casual and professional clothing
• Additional clothing like socks, muffler, cap, underwear etc
• Seasonal clothing
• Personal equipment like spectacles, hearing machine if any
• The favorite chair, tool, tablecloth, or any other favorite things
• Books, diaries, pens, etc.
• Toiletries including toothbrush, perfume, shaving cream, combs, creams, lotions, etc
• Bathing equipment like a bathrobe, towel, soap, shampoo, face wash,
• Medicines and supplements
• Mobile Phones, chargers, laptops, and other electronic gadgets
• Pets if there is any and if the center allows it

Wrapping it Up:

So, this is how you can take care of elderly people by getting them into a care home. We have discussed everything you need to know on how to get an elderly person into care home. We hope it has helped you! Help our loving elders to live a happy and stress-free life in the retirement phase of their lives.

-by Ishita Mondal

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