How to Make Moving Easy on People with Dementia

The move to a new home can be a stressful experience for anyone suffering from dementia. If you find yourself in a situation in which a loved one with this condition is moving to a new home or a care facility, then it makes sense to do your best to help as much as possible.Make Moving Easy - Tip #1: Help All the WayFor most of us, the stressful part of moving is dealing with a short period of time to complete the process. However, for someone with dementia, the whole experience can be a lot more difficult. Therefore, you should help from the very start of the process all the way through to the end. Even little matters can turn into big problems for someone with dementia, so try your best to keep calm and smooth the way for a seamless move. If you decide from the very start that you will take on the role of sorting out problems, the decision will make the move a lot easier.Make Moving Easy - Tip #2: Make Decisions Where NecessaryThere will no doubt be times during the process when you need to make some decisions on behalf of your loved one. These might sometimes be tough decisions, but they have to be faced. Trying to avoid making tough decisions isn’t going to help anyone in the long run.Make Moving Easy - Tip #3: Keep Your Loved One InformedThe most difficult part of it all can be in working out what to do yourself and what to let your loved one decide. This is far from easy, but you will have to carefully find a balance. This balancing act can also be a big part of the issue of keeping your loved one informed of matters that concern the move. Some dementia sufferers can get annoyed if they hear relatives talk too much about the upcoming move. Because of this, you will need to tread a fine line in order to keep the waters smooth.Make Moving Easy - Tip #4: Don’t Stress Your Loved One OutThe business of packing up your belongings and moving to a new home can be stressful at any time, no matter what your health is like. It is, therefore, easy to see how difficult it can be for someone who is struggling with dementia. Hopefully you will already have a clear idea of how best to deal with your relative. For example, you might know the best time of day to speak to him or her — some people with this condition have good moments and bad moments throughout the day.Make Moving Easy - Tip #5: Plan the Move WellAbove all, it is important to remember that the success of the move will come down largely to the amount of planning you do. Managing the planning element well will make the whole process a lot easier for everyone concerned. To get started, you should think about when you will carry out the move, and how you will manage the practicalities. Some families like to arrange for a few relatives to take their loved one out for the day. This means that everyone can think about other, more pleasant things during the moving process.Make Moving Easy - Tip #6: Stay Positive after the MoveIt can be tough to see a family member move into a care facility. But it’s important to stay positive and let your relative see the benefits. With the move, it will be easier for you to visit, and your loved one can make new friends. If you stay positive, your loved one can feel positive about the move as well.