Moving into a care home can be an emotional and challenging time for residents and their families, and certainly the first day can sometimes be daunting. It is a lot to adapt to and get used to; a new environment, a new bed, new neighbours and leaving the home at whatever age is always a daunting idea, and moving into a care home in particular can make some quite nervous on what to expect.
At Avon Park, we do everything in our power to make the move as seamless as possible and all our staff members are on-hand to offer any reassurance that is needed.
We suggest that you make your loved one feel at home by surrounding them with familiar and personal objects, such as their favourite pictures. Items such as sentimental ornaments or small pieces of familiar furniture from home can create a homely setting and help them to settle in easier.
As part of their first few days with us, we will make sure your loved one is introduced to everyone and we will take great care to ensure they get the time they need to get to know everyone that they’ll be associating with.
This can also be said for introducing them to the layout of the home. Avon Park will most likely be bigger than their former residence, so we want to make sure that they quickly get their bearings and don’t end up feeling lost.
It’s extremely helpful if you can provide us with valuable information about your loved one, such as their preferences, needs, likes and dislikes. Perhaps they have a nickname that they like to be called, or there are certain foods that they really dislike. Making staff aware of these little things will help your loved one feel at home a lot faster and help us to tailor their care accordingly.
We also highly recommend regular visits or calls to check in with your loved one. Spending time with your loved one in their room can make them feel settled and more at home, and they’ll love seeing a familiar face.
If you have any questions or worries, please don’t hesitate in giving us a call.
