Comforting a Newly Admitted Loved One into a Skilled Nursing Facility

Making the decision to admit your loved one into a skilled nursing facility can be a very tough decision. When making the decision, their best interest is always in mind. The transition from living at home to living in a skilled nursing facility will be challenging for the individual and their loved ones. There are a few things that can be done to help comfort your loved one with the transition. 

According to the Nursing Home Abuse Center, there are four steps to help keep your loved one happy in their new home. The four steps are as follows:

1. Make the Transition Easy
   • Provide explanations by explaining why your loved one is moving to a skilled nursing facility and ensure to them that they’ll be okay. 
   • Accessorize their environment through decor, photos, blankets, clothes, and items from home to allow them to feel more at home in the facility. 
2. Tend to the Relationship
   • Maintain a healthy and well connected relationship with them through regular visits, phone calls, or video calls. 
   • Remind their friends and loved ones to visit them regularly.
   • Encourage them to socialize and interact with other residents.
3. Engage in Activities
   • Get an activities calendar for yourself and your loved one as a way to motivate them to engage in activities that they’re interested in. 
   • A few engaging activities can be bingo, reading, walking, arts and crafts, and petting a dog or cat.
4. Maintain Health Care Check ups
   •  Keep in contact with the facility your loved one is living in to discuss any concerns.
   • Make routine check ups with the nurses and doctors to discuss your loved ones health and any changes that have occurred. 
   • If there are no improvements, take action for any suspected abuse.

When admitting a loved one into a skilled nursing facility, it is recommended to provide them with a personal cell phone or tablet. This is important in case you have trouble reaching them through the facility, you can contact them directly through their personal device. Most skilled nursing facilities require an appointment for a phone call or video call and have limited time for such calls. When the loved one has a personal device, families can speak with them on their own time and for as long as they’d like. If you or someone you know is in the process of searching for skilled nursing facilities for your loved one, visit the Medicare website to search for skilled nursing facilities in your area.

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By: Jasmine Rodriguez-Ortega 

Senior Care Advising Intern at WellPath Partners

Health Science Student at California State University Long Beach