For many carers, transitioning a loved one into a Nursing Home means giving up a big part of their lives. It means giving up their ability to care for their loved ones and managing their day-to-day life.

But placing a loved one under the care of a Nursing Home is not uncommon for most Australians. In 2019 – 2020, over one million people received support from Aged Care Services in Australia.

If you are a carer looking to move your loved one into a Nursing Home, we understand that this can be a challenging time. So here are a few steps you can take to make this an easier period for everyone in the family.

Prepare a list of requirements

Before moving to a Nursing Home, it’s best to list out the exact type of care and services you need from home.

You could consider the following questions to list your requirements for a Nursing Home:

·         What sort of sleeping arrangements do I want for my loved one?

·         Do I have a preference for the layout of the Nursing Home?

·         What types of services and activities does my loved one need in a Nursing Home?

·         Does my loved one have a specific condition that the Nursing Home must address?

This list will then help you think in a clear and focused way when identifying an Aged Care Home that’s right for your loved one.

Research on the costs of a Nursing Home

Different Nursing Homes have different costs, so it’s essential to choose the right one which fits your budget. You would need to pay a ‘basic daily fee’ for most Nursing Homes, which is the day-to-day fee that covers items like accommodation, meals, and laundry. You may also be required to pay a ‘means-tested care fee’, which is calculated based on the personal and clinical care that your loved one needs. Other Nursing Home fees include ‘accommodation fees’ and ‘extra service fees’. So it’s always good to discuss the exact costs involved with your preferred home.

Plan a visit to the Nursing Home

Most Nursing Homes are more than willing to give you a tour of their place, so you should take notes of the floor space, the rooms, and the layout of the home while on tour.

You could ask yourself: Does the Nursing Home look clean? What items can I remove from the room if needed? How easy is it to move around the area if my loved one has limited mobility?

Your visit is also a great time to further questions about the type of activities available for residents, how often cleaning is done in the home, and what medical help is available if your loved one needs it.

Label your items in the Nursing Home

It is possible that your loved one’s clothing, shoes, and other daily items might get mixed up or misplaced with other residents in the Nursing Home. Because of the constant staff rotation and the high number of visitors and residents coming in and out, it’s not uncommon for things to get moved around. After sorting out your Nursing Home Packing list, you can label your items with a marker or permanently stitch a label if it’s on clothes. Some nurses would even take inventory when your loved one moves in, so you could check if this is available at your nursing home.

Moving your loved one into a Nursing Home takes a lot of mental and emotional adjustment. While it may be a challenging time, remind yourself that it’s okay to have limitations when taking care of your loved one, and that sometimes the best type of care is professional care.If you’re looking for care and support for your loved one, visit CareAbout to speak with an expert on various Aged Care and Nursing Home options and facilities.