You’re doing a great job caring for your loved one in memory care. But sometimes, it might seem like they want to go home. It can be tempting to agree with them and send them back to their own home, but there are better choices for the person or their family.
If you feel like your loved one is asking to leave the memory care community because they don’t like it there (or want some freedom), here are some steps you can take:
Acknowledge Their Feelings
When your loved one states they want to go home, you should first acknowledge their feelings. This can help them feel more comfortable with opening up. It also allows you to support and positively influence their decision-making process rather than try to talk them out of it or guilt them into staying at the facility.
First, don’t try to talk them out of it. It might be tempting (especially if you’ve successfully convinced other residents), but don’t try to persuade your loved one that they would be happier elsewhere. In most cases, this will only make things worse for both sides by creating resentment and frustration.
And don’t try to make them feel guilty, either! Again, some might attempt this tactic successfully. But if it fails, the process adds another layer of stress between family members who could’ve gotten along fine without an argument in the first place!
Most importantly, be positive. It’s important to stay upbeat, even if you’re not feeling it. If your loved one senses you’re stressed or anxious, they’ll be more likely to feel that way.
Try to find things that your loved one did well and praise them for those accomplishments before addressing any areas that need improvement. For example, try saying, “You got out of the house again today! I’m so proud of you.”
Try to Distract Them
Distraction can be the key to helping them calm down and focus on something other than their anger or frustration. Keeping off negative thoughts might be good for them.
For one, try a fun activity with your loved one. If there’s something fun you two can do together, suggest it right away! Don’t wait until they’re in a bad mood. They might not want to do anything fun if they’re already upset.
Next, do something familiar and comforting for your loved one. Their favorite activity, food, or movie might help them feel better about what’s happening at home. For example, if ice cream makes them happy, ask if they’d like some when they get upset! Or maybe watching movies always cheers them up. You’ll know that watching movies will make them feel better when he needs cheering up too!
Remind Them Why They’re There
As your loved one’s caregiver, remind them why they’re at memory care and how their stay has been beneficial. This might be difficult as your loved one might be resistant to what you have to say.
The reasons they shouldn’t go home can vary from person to person, depending on their situation. Try to remain flexible when speaking with your loved ones and understanding their feelings.
Final Word
In the end, remember that you need to listen to your loved one’s desires. If they don’t want to stay in memory care but still need help with their daily activities, you can ask questions about what kind of assistance they want or need.
There are many options out there, so everyone must have a say in deciding what’s best for them! Contact us today to see what our communities can offer to your older loved one!
