It may be that there have been certain signs that suggest that your loved one will benefit from a care home. Perhaps there is a need for respite care, residential care, or assistance with dementia. No matter what the reason, it is normal for relatives to find it difficult to broach the subject.

At ACI Care, we want to make the transition into a home as easy as possible. As difficult as it may seem, it all starts with that first conversation. Here are our tips to help make that conversation just a little bit easier.

Planning in advance

Discussing the potential need for a care home is not a conversation to have on the spur of the moment. Before it gets to the stage of talking there are certain things to consider. Some of these include:

The right time

When it comes to talking about moving into a care home, you need to choose the right time. This means considering the time of day. Too late and your loved one may be feeling tired and less receptive. It is important to consider the right time for you as well: make sure it is not a time when you need to rush and are feeling stressed.

The right place

There is no getting away from the fact that talking to your loved one about the need for residential, respite, or dementia care is going to be emotional. You need to ensure that you choose a setting that is private and where you are unlikely to be interrupted. A public place is best avoided.

The right people

It may be that your loved one has a friend or relative that has a special way of getting through. If so, consider if this is the right person to be present to have this discussion. Make sure that there aren’t too many people present though as this could lead to your loved one feeling crowded and perhaps even pressured.

The right advice

Regardless of how your loved one first takes the news, there are likely to be questions. It is important that you know about the types of care that are offered and also have some understanding of the financial implications. ACI Care can provide you with all of the information that you’ll need about the types of care that exist.

Starting the conversation

Finding the opening lines to any difficult conversation can be hard. Talking to your loved one about moving into care is no exception. Things to consider when starting to talk are:

Make clear that it is a two-way conversation

  • Ensure that you ask questions that show that your loved one understands.
  • Be clear that they can find out more details either through yourself or by talking to a home manager direct if they wish.

Care home awards - A resident and team member bonding

Keep the conversation positive

  • Explain that you love your family member and are looking out for their best interests.
  • Focus on the benefits of moving into care. Some of these benefits include:
    • Access to professional carers 24/7
    • The opportunity to meet new people and become part of a community
    • No more house chores! Including freshly prepared meals three times a day, plus snacks!
    • The chance to try out new activities in the safety of the home. Activities may include painting, gardening, baking, pottery, exercise classes etc. Find out what they might enjoy and talk to a home manager about how they might be able to facilitate their hobbies.

If you are looking into care for yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to plan a visit to a care home that you are considering. This can provide reassurance for both you and your loved one.

Why not get in touch and arrange a visit with us today so that we can bring peace of mind.

Related News