When your parent is advancing in age, a nursing home can be a great place for them to live. Your parent will be in the constant care of medical professionals, and they can spend time with people their age as well. However, there are some things you need to do to make sure that you and your parent are prepared for their new life. Here are three things to do before moving your parent into a nursing home.

Visit the Nursing Home Before Moving In

To get your parent used to the nursing home, it's a good idea to set up a few visits before moving in. Your parent can learn where the lunch room is, where social activities take place and how to call for the nurse. They can also start meeting other residents and making friends. That way, when it's time to move in, your parent is already familiar with their surroundings and will be more comfortable there.

Talk about Medical Preferences

It is very important that you know what your parent wants in terms of hospitalization and end of life issues. For example, some nursing home residents are designated "DNR", which means they do not wish to be resuscitated, should their heart stop or they can no longer breathe. Find out if your parent wants that designation or not.

Talk to your parent about whether they want you to become their power of attorney, so that you can have legal control of their affairs if they can no longer make decisions. You may also want to start planning funeral arrangements

Make sure you know what your parent's wishes are so that you can communicate them to the health team at the nursing home. If something happens, your parent's wishes will be followed.  

Set Up a Visiting Schedule

One of the most difficult things for your parent when thinking about moving into a nursing home may be that they aren't sure how often you will visit them. Before they move into the home, set up a visiting schedule and mark it on a calender that they can take with them to their new home. That way, you help alleviate any anxiety about when you two will see each other again.

Use the tips in this article to help you prepare for moving your parent into a nursing home. If you do, you will find that you are both more comfortable and happier with your parent's new living arrangements.

To begin your search for a nursing home, contact a company like Harbor Lights Hourse Assisted Living Inc.

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