Tips for making the move into an aged care home easy

So, you have come to the stage of your life where you will be moving into an aged care home.

For many seniors, this is an exciting transition which they fully embrace. For others, it represents a confronting, end of an era, which proves difficult to come to terms with.

Whichever way you look at your impending move, there are a few strategies you can adopt to make the change smoother and less stressful.

In this guide of useful tips for making the move into an aged care home easy, we hope to highlight some of the most pertinent of them for you.

Have a good look around the facility prior to moving

If you can, it is a very good idea to thoroughly check out the aged care facility prior to your move there.

Arranging for a tour of the aged care home will allow you to meet the other residents and the staff, as well as getting a handle on the ambience and overall layout of the place.

You will feel a lot happier about the transition if you know where you are moving into and who you will be living with, as it will become less of a step into the unknown.

Engage Specialist Removalists

Moving home can be stressful at the best of times, let alone for a senior who has lots of possessions to transport over to their new digs.

Even if you can draw upon the help of children or grandchildren it is worth hiring specialist removalists like Muval to move your stuff for you.

A professional firm like this will do all the heavy lifting with due care and attention. They can even help you pack in the run up to your move as well.

Make yourself at home

When you move into your new surroundings it is a good idea to make your room ‘your own’ as quickly as possible.

If you can, replace any furniture or artwork with your possessions. Arrange your favourite photos, ornaments, and other trinkets around the room and pack your clothes away into the wardrobe and bedside cabinets.

Add some personal touches like cushions, vases, potted plants from your previous garden, and good luck charms like crystals around the room too.

In short, turn the space into somewhere you are happy and proud to call ‘home’.

Socialise

It can be hard to make friends when you are over the age of 60, but this is something you really should try and do.

If you are able to make friends and interact positively with others in the aged care home, you will find the transition so much easier.

Generally, aged care facilities run several social activities during the week, which can include everything from bingo and yoga to line dancing and day trips.

These activities are a fantastic way to meet new people, forge new friendships and even take up a new hobby. They are definitely worth the investment in your time.

Stay in regular touch with family and friends

Whilst it is always good to make new friends, it is also important to stay connected with existing people in your life as well.

Try and arrange for friends or loved ones to visit you on a regular basis if you can. This will give you a sense of continuity and something to look forward to.

Also, if possible, try and stagger the visits with your friends and family, so that one person visits you on Monday, another on Wednesday, another on Friday etc. That way you will not be faced with a period of a few days where nobody is coming to visit you.

Get with technology!

Modern technology can be a bit daunting for someone who has not grown up with innovations like computers and iPhones.

But they are an important part of everyday life, and if you are not tech-savvy, you should really try and come to terms with how to use them.

Computers and especially iPhones can revolutionise your life and in particular how you interact with people. At the touch of a button, you could be speaking and seeing them via a web call, or text message, regardless of where they live in the world.

On days when people cannot physically visit you, this is lovely way to stay connected with people.

Maintain your regular activities

As much as you can, try to maintain your regular activities throughout the week.

Like to go walking at the beach? Or watch the local sports team play? Then do that a couple of times a week.

Enjoy going to a service or morning tea at church? Then keep up your appearance there.

Whatever it is you like to do, try and keep the routine going to not feel isolated or restricted in your new lodgings.

Similarly, if there are TV shows or radio programmes you like to watch or listen to, be sure to stick to your schedule.

Just because you have moved to an aged care facility, does not mean your life has to radically change.

Conclusion

For some seniors, change can be a hard adjustment to make. However, it does not have to be a terrible thing.

In most situations of change, there are many positives you can find.

While it might take you a bit of time to get used to your new accommodation, please consider these tips for making the move into an aged care home easy.

Not only will they help you maintain your old lifestyle, they might also assist you in creating a new, even more enjoyable one.

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