My 95-year-old dad would like to move into AL near me. The facility has on campus transition from Al to nursing care with memory unit as needed. He can live the rest of his life there. We are so excited as we live about 2 hours apart. He would be near me, as well as my son's family and his 2 great grandchildren. He is so excited! My mom passed 7 mos ago and he is ready.
As we make this transition does anyone have suggestions or 'hacks' that make this transition smooth? His apartment is about 500 sq. ft with a simple kitchenette (mini fridge, microwave, sink, cabinets and a few drawers). All of his meals will be in dining room. Maybe a microwave stand to give way to counter space? How about white boards, calendars, desk area? It seems overwhelming to me to set up this apartment for him without him having on site input. A little couch or comfy chair for guests?
I would love to hear any ideas you have! Thanks
Isn't dad bringing some furniture with him to the new AL? When my dad was in rehab, he couldn't go back to Independent Living with mom, so I had to hurry up and find him an AL that would take him, then set up the room for him (and buy a new bed/mattress too!) so here's what I did: I went to a medical supply type of store and looked around. There I found a zero-gravity electric recliner that would lift him up and OUT of it, plus it would bend back to the point where he could sleep in it and/or go to a zero gravity setting where it would take ALL the pressure off of his back which was constantly killing him. Score. Then I found a Stander Tray Table that swivels & also has a handle to help him stand up from the recliner. The feet of the table sit under the recliner, so it's very sturdy & wonderful. Here's a link to show you what it's all about:
https://stander.com/product/2600-omni-tray/
If you're going to buy one, however, don't get it on this link site; it's $165 on Amazon!!!! Just a head's up. BEST $$$$ I ever spent on my parent's behalf; I bought one for him & one for mom. When mom broke the table top years later from lifting up the recliner and not realizing it was breaking the table in the process, the Stander company replaced it free of charge. Score.
Then I bought end tables, an Alzheimer's clock which shows the day, date, year and time of day *and AM or PM* in large neon numbers, and a few bookcases to house their books & photo albums. A toaster, a coffeemaker, towels, wash cloths, sheets/pillows/linens. The art for the walls would come over with mom from the IL when she moved, otherwise I would've bought art for the walls, too. Their AL room was small, so the 2 recliners and the swivel tables took up most of the living room area, but if you have 500 sf to fill up, then by all means I'd get some small comfy club chairs or similar for guests to sit on. A dry erase board is excellent to put up on the wall *I bought mom one for her suite in Memory Care*. Also toiletries, bath rugs (talk to the Exec Director or nurse at the ALF about what they prefer you use), a TV set, radio, movies, a DVR player, things like that he's going to need. But once dad moves to the AL, then HE will tell YOU what he needs and wants, so all you have to do is set him up with the bare necessities, you know?
I disagree about waiting 2 weeks to visit him; this is advice more appropriate for elders who are against the move in general and fighting you. Your dad (thank God) is all for this move, and will need your help and support moving in. I would stay and have dinner with my folks once I got them both moved in (and mom moved OUT of their IL apartment), but I was 5 minutes away so it was easy for me to do so.
Wishing you and your dad the best of luck in what sounds like the best continuum of care facility around!!
The facility sounds great being he can transfer from one area to another if need be. I remember when my Dad went from one section over to Memory Care, his only concern was if the chef would be the same person. He was so happy when I said yes as he enjoyed the food.
So glad that your Dad is happy to move to senior living. That is a huge plus. I know my Dad was happy to be around people from his own generation, plus have all these "new ears" to listen to his stories :)
Once your Dad moves in, best not to have family visit until after two weeks. That will give Dad time to learn his way around, learn the Staff and to meet his neighbors. Ok to telephone during that time.
If your Dad likes getting the daily newspaper, get a subscription started. I also got Dad a clock that showed what day it was, Dad found that handy. Dad had a landline telephone at the facility, so I type out in large print his new telephone number and his new address and taped it to the bottom front of the phone.
Sounds like a win-win !!
For my momma’s room, we found bathroom storage to be lacking. So we got a cute wall cabinet at Target to put over her toilet. The maintenance man installed it for us. It was perfect, and held all the odds and ends that couldn’t fit in her “above the sink” cabinet. She also brought along her Keurig coffee maker, because she loved to serve us coffee. We had pretty wall coat hooks placed near her door, so that we had a place to hang our jackets when visiting and she had somewhere to keep her favorite sweater or coat handy. Oh yes, we brought along her bathroom scale. The place had one, but it was quite a distance from her room. It is pretty important to have, especially if your dad has heart issues. We also kept a little note pad in the bathroom for her to keep track of her weights. One other post mentioned a dementia clock. I concur! They are absolutely the best; my son got Granny one from Amazon, and it was very helpful.
Of course the holidays are coming! Once your dad settles in, you’ll see what he needs, and that will give you and your family lots of ideas for gifts!
Best wishes; I trust that you all make lots of happy memories as your dad moves close by!!
Ask him what he wants in the apartment.
Does he have a favorite chair now? Move that in with him. (It might be old and not "look nice" but it is comforting. You can talk about replacing it later if needed.) Seating for guests, maybe one of the over size chairs. that way if you ever have to spend the night it could double as a twin bed. Since most have an ottoman that 1 chair could provide seating for 2 people.
Does he use a whiteboard?
Maybe a large calendar that is erasable so the activities can be written down each month. Many have a "note" section on the side so he can write a list of things he needs.
How much counter space does he really need? A microwave cart will take up floor space. Think floor space is more valuable than counter space. (the microwave could be placed on top of the mini fridge that would free up counter space and not take up extra floor space)
I would say let him adjust and get things as he mentions them. Sometimes you don't know what you want until you want it.
Give dad a few days to explore and adjust on his own. Let him know your plan here. Keep in mind that the transition adjustment could include a couple of falls within that period.
Before you get the microwave, try just keeping a few snacks. He may find that the AL has snacks in a location plus he gets some exercise by going to it. Chances are, there will be other residents there. Also it is sometimes typical that residents will take extra snacks to their rooms.
My mom used to like me to attend if there was a special entertainer musical guest. She always enjoyed my presence to sing the songs with the group. These experiences lasted longer through her short term memories.
The number one bit of advice is to have a very strong bed rail on each side of his bed.
My dad started falling out of the bed, and
this is how he injured himself. Being in an Assisted Living requires if the patient falls three times, the third time they go get checked out at the hospital.
Have his name sewn in the back of each piece of clothing. My dad constantly was missing clothes that they washed of his. If you have his name on all of his clothes, socks, and linens this helps prevent loss.
Lastly, if your dad has a walker, put his name on it in big letters across the front with a large basket for carrying things.
So many walkers look the same. Plus, if your dad was in the military, have something that says “ served in the military “ on front of his walker, this will get attention from people and get him to know more people over time. Huge benefit.