For those with dementia, keeping to a routine and schedule is imperative. In fact, change and disruption can cause extreme anxiety and confusion, which is exactly what loved ones should strive to prevent whenever possible. When it comes time to move a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease into a new residence, planning is of the utmost importance to avoid the transfer trauma that can arise. While you may not be able to avoid all of the emotional impacts of a move, you can help your senior family member to handle the transition better.
What is Transfer Trauma?
Transfer trauma is the emotional turmoil that can take place when someone with dementia is removed from a place they consider familiar and safe. Many times, those with cognitive impairment do not remember recent events but retain memories formed earlier in life. Therefore, they may not remember a discussion about moving from a family home – they only realize that they are no longer in the home they have lived in for decades. This causes fear and confusion, which is even more pronounced in Alzheimer’s patients.
As someone’s dementia progresses, a family may need to make the hard decision to move them into an alternate living situation. Whether moving them into a family member’s home or a memory care center, these moves are necessary but challenging. However, there are proactive steps you can take to ease the emotions associated with transfer trauma.
- Start Early: Although conversations are difficult, having conversations with your loved ones about their desires before their dementia progresses will allow them to know that you want to honor their wishes. If you are planning to move them into a memory care residence, this is also a good time to tour potential facilities and allow them to decide where they wish to go. Although when the time comes, they may not remember, it will give them peace as they face dementia.
- Involve Them: Although they may have trouble remembering recent conversations, do your best to involve them in decisions as appropriate. Choose times that they are calm and are thinking more clearly – typically, dementia patients have times of day when they are more lucid. By explaining what is happening, you are planting the seed somewhere in their memory, and they may remember at certain points why they are there. In the short term, just knowing that their opinion still matters and that they are not being treated as a child goes a long way.
- Prepare their New Home: Whether moving into a private residence or a professional memory care community, your senior’s move will be easier if their new room has some familiar elements to it. You should always have their room completed before moving them in, in order to minimize chaos. Openly display family photos, especially older photos from times and events they still remember – childhood photos, their wedding day, their parents. Be sure to include recent photos of children and grandchildren, as these can spur comforting conversations as you explain who everyone is. Put a favorite blanket on their bed, add furniture they are familiar with, and even play their favorite music as they arrive. Anything you can do to spark a feeling of familiarity will help ease confusion and fear.
When you choose to move your loved one into A Banyan Residence, our staff will work with you to help prepare for their arrival to best soothe any distress or transfer trauma. You can rest assured that we have their best interests at heart and want them to live as fulfilling and happy a life as possible. Call today for a tour of our residence in The Villages.
