Are you a caregiver who wants to help your loved one make a comfortable transition into a long-term care facility? Our team members, including Kelly Troutman, Director of Social Services, and Patti Malay, Director of Admissions, have helped hundreds of families through this process. This guide will give you some expert tips and insights to make the conversation and subsequent transition as smooth as they can be.

Assemble a Supportive Team:

Schedule a time for the family to discuss a plan before talking to the parent or loved one. Make sure that you settle any differences of opinions before speaking with your loved one so that you will all be communicating a consistent message.

Educate Yourself about Facilities and Admissions Procedures:

You can schedule a tour and request information about services and amenities which are available at facilities, so that if certain topics (Such as, “How will I get to my Doctor’s appointments?” or “When will I get my hair done?”) come up in your conversation, you are prepared to share the options.

Make a Plan for Your Conversation:

Outline your main points. You can be both direct as well as compassionate. You can express your concerns while also asking about their preferences and desires.

Make a Plan for an Upcoming Crisis:

Should your loved one be hospitalized after a fall or medical emergency, are you prepared to make steps to transition into a facility should the Doctor make recommendations to do so? Are you aware of the requirements for receiving benefits for such a transition and how these could be forfeited if you returned home after your hospital stay?

Start Now:

Now that you are prepared, it’s time to take action. Present your concerns and the information you have learned while educating yourself. It’s better to start talking with your loved one about future transitions now rather than when a crisis situation hits.

Get Your Team Involved:

Now that you have started the conversation, your loved one may need benefit from hearing concerns or advice from medical professionals and additional family members as well. Cedar Haven has a Social Services department that can assist with these transitions.

Avoid Unnecessary Emotional Topics:

Keep it simple and avoid bringing up painful subjects that might make this conversation even more difficult than it needs to be. Try to steer the conversation back to what is best for them and their health in the long run.

Remind Yourself that You Want the Best for Your Loved One:

At times you may feel pressured to make a decision or recommendation that is not the best for them. Circumstances and conditions change, perhaps requiring a new set of decisions. Often caregivers begin to feel guilty. At this point, you need to remind yourself that sometimes living in a long-term or short-term care facility is necessary and can be very beneficial for your loved one’s health and social well-being.

Do you have specific questions about how to talk to your loved one? Our experienced team of professionals is here to help! Please contact us at 717-274-0421 or by sending us a message via our Contact Page Form.

Welcome to Cedar Haven!

Thank you for visiting the Cedar Haven blog. Please contact us with your questions or visit our jobs page to learn more about career opportunities at our facility.

Experienced Team . High Quality Care . Therapeutic Success . Friendly Atmosphere

The holidays can be a delightful time for sharing cherished memories and forging new ones. However, holiday meals can also be difficult or stressful if you are learning how to accommodate loved ones with Alzheimer’s. Of course you want all of your guests to be as comfortable as possible, but it could be hard to know how to best suit their unique needs at the family dinner table.

Fortunately, the dietitians at Cedar Haven Healthcare Center assembled this list of valuable tips to ensure that your Thanksgiving dinner is an enjoyable one!

1. Prepare guests in advance.

If they have not seen your loved one in awhile, inform your guests of notable changes so they are prepared. Do not use a family gathering as a memory test for your loved one with Alzheimer’s. Do not say “don’t you remember Greg?” Just introduce family members by saying something like, “This is Greg; one of your grandchildren.” A memory test will just embarrass and agitate your loved one.

2. Invite your guests to participate.

If your loved one is capable of completing simple food preparations, have them involved in making the meal. Your loved one may be capable of putting rolls into baskets, stirring, and taste testing.

3. Stick to your guest’s normal schedule if possible.

If you are able, keep to your loved one’s normal schedule by eating at the same time of the day. If your family member experiences “sun downing” syndrome, an early meal may be more enjoyable.

4. Avoid overwhelming background noise.

During the meal, it is helpful to maintain an overall quiet environment. Turn off the TV and avoid loud music. If your loved one can not tolerate energetic children, be sure to sit them by understanding adult guests.

5. Keep it simple but fun and festive.

For your loved one with Alzheimer’s, keep the food choices and table setting simple. Use only necessary utensils, like a spork, to avoid embarrassment if he or she can not remember which utensils to use. Keep finger foods on hand in case your loved one does not remember how to use utensils. Prepare guest in advances if your loved one does frequently use their fingers to eat. Have pretty napkins to use as a clothing protector if food spillage is a concern. Avoid blinking lights and candles as decorations.

Interested in learning more about dining services at Cedar Haven? View our photo gallery for a peek at some of favorite meals and reach out with any questions you may have on our contact page.

From all of us at Cedar Haven, we wish you all a happy and healthy holiday with your loved ones.

Welcome to Cedar Haven!

Thank you for visiting the Cedar Haven blog. Please contact us with your questions or visit our jobs page to learn more about career opportunities at our facility.

Experienced Team . High Quality Care . Therapeutic Success . Friendly Atmosphere