Adult Day Care, Respite Care, Mount Vernon, Washington| Adult Day Care, Respite Care, Mount Vernon, Washington |
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INTRODUCTION As our loved ones age, many families find themselves faced with the decision of how to best care for that person with memory loss. Whether the memory loss is from Alzheimer's Disease or other dementia is of little consequence. Your loved one's memory is still failing. Often the decision to provide care at home results in tremendous turmoil and strain on family relationships. Many families discover that communities such as Ashley Gardens at Mount Vernon, can provide a secure and loving, home-like environment with 24 hour care. For someone with memory loss, the move is usually upsetting and sometimes traumatic. However, most people easily adjust to the move to a new environment in 7 - 10 days. Sometimes the adjustment occurs even more rapidly.  We at Ashley Gardens hope the information we provide here is beneficial in your decision-making process. It is our desire that when you make the decision to move your loved one, that the move is to a safe and secure, special care community. Knowing your loved one is safe will provide you and the rest of your family with a sense of ease and confidence that your loved one is receiving the same tender loving care you provided for all those years at home.
Making the move from a family home is never easy. Once the decision is made that the member with the memory loss is no longer able to live at home, try to get the entire family involved in the decision-making process. If the family is not in agreement, it can seriously hinder the process of finding an appropriate special care community. Additionally, it will dampen the spirits of the person being moved and make the adjustment to the new community much more difficult. Presenting simple facts is the easiest way to explain to the family member about the pending move. Use of simple statements like, " Mom, you know we are concerned about your safety and security living alone, so we have found a safe, secure, home-like community for you." Don't try to explain every detail of the move or needlessly justify the person that the move is in their best interest. Long or detailed discussions and explanations will only cause further frustration and confusion. Individuals with memory impairment frequently lose the ability to distinguish time. Short-term memory loss is most common with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias. So, tomorrow may have no more significance than next month or 30 minutes from now. It's best to tell the person about the move just a few days before the move.
It is crucial to acknowledge the emotions of the person with memory impairment. Validate whatever the feelings are that the person expresses. Anger, sadness, fear, loneliness and guilt are all normal reactions to a move. The greatest fear is continued loss of control over one's life. The memory-impaired person is acutely aware of their loss of control, independence and freedom. They may not be able to articulate clearly their awareness, but they know something is different. It is important to acknowledge their sense of loss. Share those feelings and allow them to express, however they are able, their sense of loss. Don't try to make the sadness or anger go away. Acknowledge the feelings and then clearly restate the same reason for making the move, once again. "Mom, I can see this is very upsetting for you. You know we are very concerned about your safety and security living alone, so we have found a safe and secure home-like community for you." People with memory loss often lose their inhibitions as well. Don't be surprised if the emotions you see are much more dramatic than those exhibited in the past. Again, acknowledge the emotions, share them, but don't try to make them go away or fix them. They can't be fixed.  Remember, the move may seem difficult now but, the peace of mind that will come with knowing your loved one is in a safe and secure home-like environment, will far outweigh your concerns. Throughout the entire moving and adjusting process, the person may feel as though the family has abandoned them. Be certain to reassure them, tell them that they are loved and that you will continue to see them often. Tell them you want them to be safe, secure and happy. Let them know you will be there for them.
The day of the move will most likely be very stressful for all involved. Don't count on the memory-impaired person to "remember" that this is moving day. Delay moving furniture from the house while the memory-impaired person is present. Make those moves at another time. If some of the furniture is going to the new community, move it before the person arrives for admission. Seeing familiar furniture and pictures often makes the move less chaotic and traumatic. Often families are more successful by taking their loved one out to lunch, shopping, a family gathering or another special event during the critical moving process. After the special occasion the family can gather at the new residence and begin the adjustment process together. On a happier note, many families find that the move, which seemed unpleasant at first, becomes a very positive event, for the memory-impaired person. Sometimes the sense of relief in not having to struggle at home alone far outweighs the stress of adjustment to a new home. Don't be surprised if your family member thanks you for helping them find a new safe place to live.
Caregivers, especially the one who seems to direct the move, believe they are looked upon as "the bad guy." The person with dementia may focus their anger and sorrow on that person, but the anger will dissipate rather quickly because the person with the memory impairment will not be able to recall the circumstances that caused them to change residence. In just a short time they will adopt the new surroundings as their home. Please also remember that persons with impaired memories are not capable of taking care of themselves independently. It is an act of love that you have interceded on their behalf to find them a safe, secure, home-like environment in which to live. If you are the caregiver or a family member with unresolved issues, experience feelings of anger or guilt or are having trouble dealing with the situation, it is recommended that you seek some assistance through counseling. It is important for you to remain healthy so you can continue to be a valuable support person to your loved one through this important transition.
If you a are considering a move for a family member with memory loss, please consider Ashley Gardens at Mount Vernon. We off a safe, secure, home-like environment where residents can safely enjoy the comforts of 24 hour care and security. We'd love to meet with you to discuss your options, or provide consultation during this difficult time. Please call either Duane or Jo at (360) 419-9422 to reserve a time for a tour or consultation. We are here to provide assistance. PAGE TOP
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Home About us Residency Respite & Day Care Meals & Menu Rates Helpful Information FAQs Contact us MOUNT VERNON ASHLEY GARDENS 3807 E. College Way Mount Vernon, WA 98273 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Phone: 360-419-9422 Fax: 360-419-3133 BREMERTON ASHLEY GARDENS 3221 Pine Road Bremerton, WA 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Phone 360-478-7277 |
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