At Serra Sol Memory Care, we recognize that it’s common for families to experience a mix of both relief and grief after their loved one moves to memory care. Even when you feel confident about your loved one’s future, you may still doubt whether you will be able to maintain the same emotional bond. So how can you maintain the same relationship with them even after their move?
Families can stay involved by scheduling short, predictable visits during the loved one’s peak energy hours and participating in family activities like music or art therapy. Bringing familiar items like photos or a favorite blanket during the visit will also help them maintain their relationships. Consistent collaboration with the care team can also help preserve the familiar bond they once shared.
Maintaining meaningful engagement through different approaches will help the resident adapt to the community environment and live well. Here’s how families can maintain a connection with their loved one who’s in memory care.
Plan Regular Visits The Right Way
Visiting a loved one isn’t just about being physically present with them. They must be able to recognize your presence and engage with you. The timing of your visit plays a significant role in determining its quality. Even a 15–30-minute visit may be better than a prolonged stay that may feel overwhelming to them. How frequently should you plan visits? It depends on your loved one’s comfort level and stage of dementia.
Ask the care staff when your loved one is most active and alert during the day. Identify a time when they are least prone to “sundowning” or feeling fatigued. Keep the conversation positive, calm, and unrushed. Think of how you can make the visit meaningful and plan accordingly. When you visit, bring them a gift, flowers, or even a favorite snack.
Participate In Community Life
Don’t think of a memory care community as a sterile setting where residents receive care and live in private apartments. That is only part of the complete picture of this long-term care setting. Memory care is a vibrant community with many activities designed to support residents’ well-being. The community hosts regular family nights, holiday celebrations, and group activities.
This is a great opportunity to take part in community life with them and enjoy the experience together. It will be especially helpful during the early days of their transition, when they need emotional support. Join organized social events with them to help them become familiar with social life in memory care. Some engaging activities you can join with them include music therapy, arts and crafts, and reminiscence therapy. Bring simple, nostalgic objects like a soft scarf, scented lotion, or a playlist of their favorite music from earlier in life.
Build Rapport With Care Staff And Help Plan Care
Yes, you can play a role in planning your loved one’s care, too. Dementia is an evolving disease, and the care provided must evolve with it. As the disease progresses, your loved one will likely face new challenges that require a new care routine. While you can’t directly provide your loved one’s care, you can take part in regular care conferences to support their well-being.
Attend care meetings and share details with the care team about your loved one’s personal preferences, past routines, and life history. Also, during your visit, notice any signs of behavioral or emotional changes. Inform the care team so that they can adjust the care approach based on your observations. Doing this can have a meaningful impact on your loved one’s care and well-being.
Connecting When Communication Gets Difficult
Dementia’s progression brings communication difficulties that worsen over time. This may make it difficult for your loved one to communicate their concerns, feelings, and thoughts to you. But remember, words aren’t the only way to connect with them. There are nonverbal ways of communicating, too, that can be just as effective as verbal communication.
Their ability to feel emotions remains intact. You can express your love and affection to them through nonverbal connection. Touch plays an important role here. Holding their hand while talking, brushing their hair, or sitting shoulder to shoulder while looking at a photo album or magazine are some of the best ways to connect without words. Watch something funny together to share moments of laughter and hum familiar tunes together.
Leverage Technology
Maintaining connection does not necessarily require you to be physically present with your loved one. Virtual visits also help you stay connected and involved. Thanks to technology, you now have plenty of ways to connect with your loved one. This approach works well when you live far away or can’t visit them frequently.
Use video calls, send them a digital picture frame, or talk over the phone. The staff may help them use digital tools needed to connect with you. Through messaging, you can also share a video clip of your family celebrating a special occasion at home. This may help them reminisce about the times when all of you lived together. Know that these small gestures can help create a sense of comfort and connection in the present.
Serra Sol Memory Care – Memory Care Guided By Quality Support
At Serra Sol Memory Care, we understand how vital it is for a family to maintain a connection with their loved one living in memory care. While they can’t be with them all the time, they can plan frequent visits to maintain the family bond they once had at home. With regular visits, they can foster a better emotional connection while gaining reassurance about their loved one’s well-being.
Families seeking a reliable, compassionate memory care option that offers tailored care and homelike support can choose Serra Sol Memory Care. We go beyond providing care and support to help residents live fulfilling lives. With plenty of vibrant and engaging daily activities to look forward to, daily life for residents is a celebration.
To learn more about what makes us a premier memory care community, contact us today.