Emily and her family are supporting Jack to move into residential aged care. It takes time to learn how to best support Jack, particularly as he gets to know new people and a new environment. Using the ‘About Me’ resource, Emily can document the things Jack likes, or doesn’t like, and how residential care staff can best get to know him. Communication between Jack, his family and care staff helps to ensure that his unique needs and preferences are known. This helps smooth out any uncertainties associated with the move into this new environment.
What to consider
- Moving to residential care is commonly a stressful time for everyone involved because there is a lot of change and much to consider. Remember, you are not alone – there are many people to help you.
- Becoming familiar with the care home environment, the people who work there and the routines, is a helpful first step. Arranging to visit the home before the patient’s discharge from hospital could help to create a familiar environment.
- While it will never be ‘home’, you can make the space more familiar by taking in special items such as a favourite quilt, personal photos, and other memorabilia, or items of cultural or religious significance. The best time to do this is before the patient moves in, so that it feels more familiar on arrival.