If your loved one has been living in an assisted living home and isn’t happy or isn’t getting the level of care they need, you might consider having them move in with you. While the transition from a care home to your home will be an adjustment, you and your loved one may be more comfortable in the end.

You can make the transition smoother by keeping the lines of communication open, giving your loved one a sense of freedom and independence, and ensuring your home is safe and welcoming. Here are some tips for helping your loved one make the move from assisted living to in-home care in Southern Arizona.

Talk to Your Loved One About Their Wishes

Before you make any plans, the first thing you should do is talk to your loved one about their wishes. Find out if they really want to leave the nursing home or assisted living facility. If they do, make sure they are on board with living in your home with you. Your loved one needs to be in an environment that is safe, warm, welcoming, and enhances their quality of life and longevity.

For some seniors, an assisted living facility is the only place that can do that. For others, assisted living facilities represent a loss of freedom and can increase the risk of isolation, depression, and anxiety. By giving your loved one an opportunity to voice their preferences, you can make sure you’re making the right decision for them.

Schedule a Meeting With the Assisted Living Staff

Next, you’ll need to schedule a meeting with the staff at the assisted living facility. The move will be easier for everyone involved if you sit down with your loved one’s care staff. They can develop a discharge plan, make sure you understand your loved one’s health needs and medication schedule, and give you tips and advice. You will also want copies of your loved one’s medical records and treatment plans. This meeting will give you a chance to ask any questions you have about your loved one’s care needs, physical and mental health, and what to expect throughout the transition process.

Set Up a Home Safety Evaluation

Before your loved one moves into your home, you’ll need to set up a home safety evaluation. During this evaluation, a professional who specializes in helping seniors age in place at home will assess your home’s interior and exterior. They will look for any health and safety hazards and give you professional advice and recommendations on repairs, upgrades, and improvements that need to be made. These improvements will make your home safer for your loved one and easier for them to navigate. You can protect your loved one from injury and reduce their risk of falls or accidents.

Make Key Upgrades and Repairs to Your Home

Go through the report you were given by the home safety specialist and go room by room making the necessary repairs and upgrades. They may be able to recommend a contractor or local handyman who can:

Install grab bars in the shower, next to the toilet, and by the bed
Build ramps over the stairs or install ramps inside and outside of the home
Widen doorways to accommodate wheelchairs or other assistive mobility devices
Install smart technology that will enhance safety and comfort
Repair damaged or outdated flooring
Improve interior and exterior lighting
Install smoke and fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and home alarm systems
Help you remove tripping hazards like damaged area rugs or carpeting and extension cords or cables
Lower kitchen countertops or make appliances and cabinets easier to access safely

Give Your Loved One a Dedicated Area of Their Own

While your loved one may not have had a lot of privacy in their assisted living home, they probably at least had a room of their own. Make sure they also have their own private room in your home, and that they know that they will have a private place where they can relax and decompress when they don’t feel like socializing.

Help Your Loved One Maintain Their Independence

As much as you can, involve your loved one in the decision-making as you plan their transition. Let them know that they have a voice in the process and that you are taking their feelings and needs into account. Don’t steamroll them or make major decisions without consulting them. Let them know that they will also have a voice in your household when they move in, and that they will be allowed to enjoy some independence and freedom.

Give Them a Chance to Discuss Their Concerns

When talking to your loved one, don’t diminish their feelings or concerns. Give them opportunities to speak and make their opinions known. Don’t talk over them or tell them how they are feeling. Instead, listen patiently and take their feelings and words to heart.

Put Together a Home Care Plan

Your loved one will need proper medical care while living in your home. When they were in the assisted living facility, they had access to regular healthcare, including check-ups, diagnostic services, and medication management. They may have also enjoyed other services like housework, laundry, mobility assistance, meal plans, medication reminders, toileting and grooming assistance, and socialization opportunities.

Talk to your loved one and their care team at the assisted living facility about what services they received and which ones will be needed at your home. Book an appointment with your loved one’s physician to coordinate a medication management plan. Organize a medication schedule and ensure your loved one will have access to the same medical supplies and other services they received in assisted living.

Hire an In-Home Caregiver

If you work or have a lot of obligations outside of your home, you won’t be available to your loved one 24/7. Hiring an in-home caregiver will ensure your loved one’s daily care needs are met and that you can stick to a predictable routine. They can help with medication, monitor your loved one’s health, assist with mobility and the activities of daily living, and give your loved one companionship and socialization.

Involve Other Family Members

Involve other family members in your loved one’s care plan. Invite them over for meals or socialization, or take family outings together to the movies or a restaurant. Ask them to step in if you need to get something done outside of your home but don’t want to leave your loved one alone at home. You should also make sure your loved one can plan social activities and has the ability to see friends and family and engage in hobbies and activities.

Protect Your Own Privacy and Needs

Don’t forget to protect your own privacy and fulfill your own needs. When possible, take time for yourself to manage your own physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs. If you don’t care for yourself, you won’t be able to care for a loved one. Hire a senior care agency or respite caregiver when needed, or have friends or family help. Join a support group or seek guidance from your spiritual advisor. Make time for the activities you enjoy, and look after your own diet, weight, and sleep health.

Call Placita In Home Care for Home Caregiving Needs in Southern Arizona

At Placita In Home Care, we offer flexible, customizable in-home care services in Southern Arizona. Our compassionate, experienced caregivers can provide respite care, in-home hospice care, and ongoing caregiving services in the comfort of your own home. We also offer complimentary home safety evaluations to ensure your home is safe for your loved one. To schedule a consultation for in-home care in the Tucson or Phoenix metro area, call us today or fill out our contact form online.