How To Help A Loved One Going Into A Nursing Home
It's so hard watching the health of a grandparent fade. When the time comes to move your beloved grandparent into a nursing home, things are going to be difficult. What can you do to make the transition a little easier for your grandparent? Here, you'll find a few ideas that can help make the transition less traumatic for your grandparent and your family.
Have a Custom Photo Blanket Made
There are few things in a grandparent's life more special than the grandkids. When you walk into most grandparents' houses, you are quickly surrounded by photos of the grandkids growing up over the years. Your grandparent won't be able to take all of those photos with them to display in the nursing home, but you can take those pictures and have them made into a custom photo blanket.
When you present the blanket to your grandparent, just watch his or her face – you will see tears of joy begin to swell as they look through all of the pictures that you've included in the design.
As you choose the pictures that you'll use for the blanket, get some help from other family members. They may have stories about particular photos that would be extra special to include in the design. The great thing about photo blankets is that you can use one or a few pictures, or you can use several to create a montage of memories that your grandparent can wrap up in when they're feeling lonely.
Teach your Grandparent Smartphone Basics
If your grandparent still has the mental capacity to use or learn how to use a smartphone, now will be the time they appreciate it most. If you can teach him or her how to place calls or to make video calls, they will feel less disconnected from the family. When they're feeling down, or just lonely, they can make a call to the people that they love most for a pick me up. And, if they figure out the video calling, the grandkids can get some facetime with them no matter how far away they are.
Take your time getting your grandparent settled into the nursing home. It will take some time for them to adapt, but soon, the change will be less traumatic and could even help to bring the family a little closer together as you all work together to make sure that your grandparent is in a safe, comfortable place to live out their golden years.
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