How Should I Transition My Loved One Into Long-Term Care?

Even talking about the subject of long-term care with your loved one can be a difficult undertaking. However, with a dementia or Alzheimer’s patient, he or she may be unaware or unable to understand the change that is taking place. Ultimately, it is up to you if and how much information you should give a loved one about a move to a long-term care facility.

Understand that any type of move can be uncomfortable and unfamiliar at first, for anyone. Your loved one is likely to be anxious, confused, and may forget where he or she is, particularly during the first few days of residence in a new environment. Give him or her time to acclimate to his or her surroundings. At some point, your loved one will begin to get used to the new surroundings and the people who are caring for him or her.

When you introduce your loved one to a new facility, you should ensure that staff members have all of the information that they need to care for your loved. Spend time explaining your loved one’s nature, likes, and dislikes, as well as any habits that he or she has. Be there to introduce your loved one to staff members as each shift changes, so that he or she gets used to their presence at different times each day. You are likely to want to spend the first day at the new residence with your loved one, helping him or her get settled, eating in the dining room, and maybe attending an evening activity. When you have to leave, reassure your loved one that he or she is safe and that you will return later.

While your loved one is living in a long-term care facility, you and other family members should visit or stop in as frequently as possible. This will allow you to observe the daily routine of the facility, as well as monitor if your loved one is receiving an acceptable level of care. You can fix any mistakes that staff members have made as they occur, or explain further details about your loved one as needed.

When long-term care becomes a necessity, you want your loved one to be as safe and cared for as possible. At Boller & Vaughan, we are all too familiar with the rampant abuse and neglect that often occurs in understaffed, underfunded, overcrowded nursing homes. We have investigated many allegations of abuse and neglect, including those that have resulted in serious injuries to elderly residents, thus giving rise to a claim for damages against the responsible person and facility. Allow us to look into the background of your situation, evaluate the many options that may be available to you, and help you decide what move to make next. Contact the Wisconsin nursing home neglect attorneys of Boller & Vaughan, and see what help we have to offer you.