Making the Decision to Move to Long Term Care

It’s not usually a simple choice to move aging relatives into long term care. There’s often a gradual change, and we hang onto the hope that we really can make it work in the current situation. But sometimes it becomes apparent that home is just not providing the needs of your aging loved one.

Why make the move?

The main gist of why anyone would move into long term care is that they will receive better care than anyone is able to provide at home. This may be because the patient requires equipment that’s too heavy, professional or expensive to maintain and operate at home. It may because the patient needs to be looked after 24/7, and the caregiver can’t provide that. Or because the patient’s condition has deteriorated sufficiently that she needs to be in an environment that supports that.

Whatever the reason, caregivers should never feel guilty because they weren’t able to provide the care that the patient’s needs. Living at home is only ideal when it’s for the patient’ best health. When that condition is fulfilled elsewhere, it’s for her best, and everyone will benefit as a result.

How to make the decision

Since it’s usually a gradual process, it’s not always obvious when to make the move. These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself:

  1. Is my loved one suffer because she lacks the care she needs in my home?
  2. Will my loved one receive more expert care in a facility?
  3. Are my loved one’s health requirement above what I can provide?

Sometimes there are incidents that show when someone is ready to move out. It might be an Alzheimer’s patient who wandered dangerously out of the house when the caregiver was away, or someone who suffered a medical emergency that the caregiver wasn’t able to deal with quickly or effectively. As grueling as it might be, these kinds of episodes indicate that it’s time to do what’s best and move the patient into a facility that provide 24/7 professional care.

Checking out the facility

Once you’ve identified potential facilities, do a walk around to get a feel for what it’s like at the center. Is the facility new and modern or renovated? Are the rooms large enough to hold the patient’s things and roomy enough for visitors? Find out if there’s anything you need to or can bring from the patient’s home. Centers provide linens and towels and some cabinet and shelf space, as well as a personal TV. But you might be able to bring some small pieces of furniture to make the room feel homier. You might even be able to bring a small fridge, so you can leave some homemade goodies close by.

Find out if any amenities are considered extras, so you don’t get an unexpected fee with your bill. And Keep expensive or emotional knickknacks at home.

At Sinai Post Acute Care, we realize it’s a difficult and emotional decision to move your loved one into long term care, and we’ll be with you every step of the way. We offer compassionate and professional care for when it’s better to be in a facility.