Helping a loved one make the move from their own home to a care home can be unsettling and daunting, both for you and the person making the move.
During the time you and your loved one took choosing a care home, you will have spent some time visiting and getting to know the home and the people in it. This will help when it comes to the day you move in. However, there are still further things you can do on ‘Day 1’ to help you settle in smoothly.
- Bring some of home with you
We want residents to feel comfortable, one of the ways this can be achieved is to bring some meaningful and comfortable things from home for their new room. A well-loved chair; some cheerful cushions; their own curtains; and plenty of pictures of friends and loved ones. At Borough Care we encourage residents to bring as many personal possessions with them as they want, even their pet if we can accommodate it!
- Find your way
Each new resident will receive a Borough Care information pack in their room. This contains all they need to know about the home they are living in. Reading through this pack will help settle any nerves around knowing what time meals are, how the laundry system works and details about key workers. We also recommend getting out of the room and exploring the home, asking for directions is a great opportunity to introduce you and your loved one to other residents and staff.
- Personal preferences
At Borough Care, we recognise that each of our residents is an individual, and that they truly feel comfortable when things are done just the way they like them. So, if your relative prefers a lie-in, let us know! Or if they’d like to eat certain meals in their room that’s fine! Or, if they want to continue going to church, or another place of worship, this is something we can facilitate.
- Relatives
We have an open-door policy at Borough Care and visitors can stop by whenever they like. Friends and family can ring or email our office anytime to speak to a loved one, or, you can speak to us about installing a personal telephone line in your relative’s room. We run regular relatives’ meetings: check our noticeboards for details. And relatives are welcome to join our packed schedule of activities, including our monthly all-home tea dances, SMILE exercise sessions, or excursions further afield.
- Stay Connected
Moving to a new house doesn’t mean leaving their friends behind. All visitors receive a warm welcome at Borough Care, so please, encourage old neighbours, friends, or other relatives to visit. Maintaining existing friendships is such an important part of a smooth transition from home to care home. We also help residents stay connected to the local community with visits to our homes from other local groups such as school children and toddlers; an invitation to join our Intergenerational Choir; and regular visits from other community groups such as Bikers and Dementia Friends.
Every one of our caring, dedicated and highly trained staff members are here to help. If you have any questions or concerns as your relative makes the transition from home to care home, please speak to us, it would be our pleasure to assist in any way we can.
For further information about life at a Borough Care home click here.
