Are you readying yourself to move into a care home? Care home living can be comfortable, safe, and fun, but that doesn’t mean the transition itself is always straightforward. Leaving what you know and cherish behind isn’t exactly a walk in the park, after all. To make the transition as smooth as possible, use the following tips and insights.
Visit Before Moving
You don’t want the first time you see the home to be moving day, as that could be overwhelming. Instead, schedule a visit to the residence beforehand. Signature at Reigate Grange welcomes visitors, so you can look at the home itself – including the gardens and interior leisurely spaces – to get a real feel for the place. Not only will taking advantage of these visits make for an easier moving day, but it will also help you know for sure whether your choice of home is the right one. That part is particularly crucial for a smooth transition!
Speak to Residents Who Live There
To get a real insight into your new living environment, speak to residents who already live there (and their family members). They can provide insights you might not have received otherwise. You might be curious about the quality of meals, what activities are the most enjoyable, and where the quietest spots to hang out in during the day are, and a resident who already knows can tell you those little things!
Personalise Your Living Space
It’s much easier to move into a space that reminds you of home. Sure – your new care home environment won’t exactly replicate your old house or apartment, but you can get it closer than you’d think. Many of the best care homes offer spacious living that allows you to personalise the area, so take advantage of that. Take your most treasured items with you and start decorating, getting your loved ones to help if necessary. Little things like hanging up photographs or artwork and using the same bed covers can make a world of difference. It makes it all feel like less of a change.
Ask About Pets
If you have pets, the chances are you won’t want to leave them in the care of someone else while you live at a care home, so ask whether they allow pets to live there or not. If not, you can ask if they are allowed to visit so that you can see your furry friend when a loved one visits. This one is particularly important, as pets are like family members and can provide a sense of homely comfort when you’ve moved.
Receive Regular Visitors
For a smooth transition, ask the care home about their visitation rules. How often can your loved ones come to the home? Are there certain hours when they can’t? Knowing this is important, as having regular visitors can make the move much easier. When settling in, having your parent, child, or friend visit can make a world of difference.
