How To Talk To A Family Member About Moving To A Nursing Facility

For most people, the decision to move to a nursing facility is challenging and emotional. Even when moving to a nursing home is the best option, most older adults still want to remain at home where the setting is familiar. Some specific strategies can help the conversation about moving to be more productive and peaceful for all.

Identify the best option

Sometimes, family members make promises about avoiding a nursing facility. But usually, these promises were made when no one could have predicted the current circumstances. Placing a loved one in a long-term care facility is often the most loving choice, even if a painful one. Carefully talking through these circumstances can help all family members feel more at ease.

Emphasize the benefits

In many cases, a nursing facility is the best way to ensure a family member’s safety. This is especially true if the person needs round-the-clock care for urgent health matters. Additionally, these facilities can provide needed social stimulation, which is often a challenge for elderly family members.

Shift your mindset

Caregiving is a task that can quickly affect both someone’s physical and mental wellbeing. For example, an adult child who is taking care of an aging parent may struggle to get adequate time off work. The caregiver may also suffer from exhaustion and burnout. Still, many family members feel a resistance to passing caregiver duties to a stranger. In these cases, shifting the mindset can help. Instead of identifying as a caregiver, consider the mentality of being a care advocate. This can help to relieve some burden while still emphasizing that the person is going to be vigilant over the loved one’s care.

Easing into the transition

One of the strategies to making the moving conversation easier is to set up a transition plan together. When moving a loved one into a new place, make a list of what items to bring from home. What pieces of furniture or possessions will help the person feel more at ease? Transitions are easier when a person knows what to expect. When deciding what nursing facility to choose, look into what typical routines and schedules the facility has in place. Knowing some of what to expect ahead of time can make the move a bit easier.

Helping you make a care plan

Each person and each family is different. However, many families deal with the transition to a nursing facility every day. While the conversation about long-term care can be emotionally taxing, there are many resources to help loved ones and caregivers feel more empowered to make a smooth move. For more information about caring for a loved one, speak with a healthcare provider at a nursing facility.