Senior and Daughter Holding Hands

Making a Safe Transition from Home to Memory Care

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Transitioning a loved one from home to a memory care community can be a difficult task. Although you may know that they’ll enjoy their new community, opportunities for friendships and engaging lifestyle, they may not realize it at the time or may be too anxious to consider the positives of a move. This can cause a number of negative behaviors, including anger, agitation, aggression and more. We know just how hard this transition can be, so we want to help.

“Moving a loved one with memory loss from the home they know and love to a memory care community that they are unfamiliar with can be hard for everyone involved,” says Andrea Campisi, Marketing and Admissions Director of The Reutlinger Community, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Danville, CA. “However, it’s important to do so, so that they can experience the lifestyle they deserve. To make this transition easier and safer, you should plan as much as you can ahead of time. Planning is crucial to the success of a move, and whether you believe your loved one will transition well or not, knowing what you can expect and the obstacles you could face during a move will be a big help.”

Here are some of the actions you can take to help make a safe transition to memory care.

If possible, visit with your loved one ahead of time as much as possible. Visiting can help to familiarize your loved one with the community while also allowing them to meet their care team, make some friends and get more comfortable with the idea of a move.

Refrain from announcing the move too far in advance. This can not only make your loved one more anxious, but it may also make them agitated or aggressive. Instead, tell them just before the move, or even the day of.

Move at the time they are at their best. On the day of the move, try to keep everything as normal as possible. It will also be important to keep a close eye on them, as wandering can occur if they are too disrupted from their routine. This might be a good time to consider some respite care or having a loved one distract them with an activity they love in a quiet and secluded location.

Talk to a doctor about adjusting medication. In some cases, anti-anxiety medicine can make the move easier on everyone. Then, you can wean the medication into their system and then wean them back out once the move is complete.

Bring items that are familiar to your loved one. From their favorite comforter, photographs of friends and family and their favorite chair to items that help spark their memory, their favorite snacks and more, familiar items can help to make your loved one more comfortable during a move. It can also be helpful to unpack as much as possible before they arrive, as too much hustle and bustle can cause them to become distressed.

It’s going to be important to not visit for the first few weeks. Your loved one may think you’re going to be bringing them home or that you are picking them up. It’s going to be difficult, but if you want to check in on how your loved one is doing, contact the community and their care team. They are there to provide you with peace of mind as well as support during this journey.

For more information about making the move to a memory care community safer, or to learn more about our community, mission and values, please contact us at 925-272-0261.

Premier Senior Living, Dedicated Care

The Reutlinger Community’s mission is to provide high quality health care and social support services in a life-enhancing and stimulating environment with a commitment to Jewish values.

Offering Assisted Living, Enhanced Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, The Reutlinger Community provides a continuum of care that allows seniors to live in a life-enhancing and stimulating environment. Located in Danville, California, The Reutlinger Community’s renovated, 110,000-square-foot community combines the comfort and familiarity of home with seasoned senior care and skilled nursing specialists to suit any senior’s needs, allowing them to live the life they choose with freedom and security.

Because we specialize in a continuum of care, our residents never need to worry about leaving the community they call home or wonder what will happen when they need some more care. Residents and families alike can have peace of mind knowing that there are full-time licensed nurses available, along with activity coordinators, social workers, caregivers, a concierge and Rabbi who focus solely on helping each resident thrive. Even better, our services and amenities are equal to those of a state-of-the-art resort. This is the lifestyle and care that your loved one deserves.

At The Reutlinger Community, seniors have numerous opportunities to engage in award-winning programs that are designed to engage the mind, renew the spirit and provide opportunities to meet new people and learn something new. Whether residents are enjoying our art program and museum, listening to a lecture or educational program or attending spiritual programming and our wide range of activities, there’s something for each resident to love. Participate as much or as little as you like, the choice is all yours.

For more information contact us today.

fond house memories

5 Tips for Downsizing Before You Move into Assisted Living

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When it comes time for you or your loved one to move into an assisted living community, it’s important to know the best ways to make it easier on yourselves. After all, you’ve done the hard part – you’ve toured communities, you’ve evaluated what you liked and didn’t like and you’ve narrowed down your choices to the perfect community, so it’s only right that the next step of your journey be a little smoother!

 

“When we say smoother, we don’t mean that this won’t be an emotional journey,” says Andrea Campisi, Marketing and Admissions Director of The Reutlinger Community, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Danville, CA. “It can be difficult and stressful to downsize; moving day can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. There’s a whole host of emotions that can come with such a big change, but we’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether that’s helping you to make downsizing easier, calm your nerves or make your move-in day successful. We’re so excited to help guide you on this journey and can’t wait to help you now and in the future.”

 

Tips for Downsizing Prior to Moving to Assisted Living

We know that downsizing can be riddled with stress and uncertainty. You may not know what to keep or throw away, what you will need or what you won’t, what you should pass down and what you should sell or – better yet – where to even start. We’re here to help. Follow some of our expert tips below!

 

Make a list of rooms to go through.

Establish a list of what rooms you need to go through, beginning with the easiest spaces first – often a linen closet or study. Leave the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom for last, as you often need items from there up until your move. When you can no longer put them off, be sure to keep your essentials and then get rid of the rest.

 

Start small.

It can often help to simply clear clutter when you’re just starting out. Get rid of old papers, shred old but important documents, get rid of duplicate items and simply begin clearing out obvious items. As time goes on, it often gets easier to downsize the items and make way for what truly matters.

 

Establish a list of what you need.

Before downsizing, talk to the team at the assisted living community to find out what you’ll likely want and need from home. Do you want to bring your comforter and favorite window treatments? Is your favorite chair going to fit? Do you have room for your large collection of books or paintings? Knowing this information will make it easier to clear the items you won’t have space for or simply won’t need because your lifestyle will be too busy to care about them anymore.

 

Sell or pass down items that are meaningful or valuable.

For many seniors, they are holding on to items they no longer need or use but tend to make them happy. These items are often only brought out during special occasions or even when someone else asks about them. If you have a favorite necklace that your granddaughter would look beautiful in while appreciating it belonged to you, pass it down. If you have antiques that you don’t have use for, consider selling them in a consignment shop or having them assessed by a collector to purchase.

 

Find some help.

There is an array of senior moving services that would be happy to help you downsize and make a move to assisted living much easier. If downsizing is too much, or you’d like some additional help, consider hiring a service instead of doing it all yourself!

 

Downsizing can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be if you have an established plan of action in place. With our tips, we hope that your downsizing journey will be more seamless. If we can help in any way, simply let us know!

For more information about downsizing, or to learn more about our community, mission and values, please contact us at 925-272-0261.

Premier Senior Living, Dedicated Care

The Reutlinger Community’s mission is to provide high quality health care and social support services in a life-enhancing and stimulating environment with a commitment to Jewish values.

Offering Assisted Living, Enhanced Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, The Reutlinger Community provides a continuum of care that allows seniors to live in a life-enhancing and stimulating environment. Located in Danville, California, The Reutlinger Community’s renovated, 110,000-square-foot community combines the comfort and familiarity of home with seasoned senior care and skilled nursing specialists to suit any senior’s needs, allowing them to live the life they choose with freedom and security.

Because we specialize in a continuum of care, our residents never need to worry about leaving the community they call home or wonder what will happen when they need some more care. Residents and families alike can have peace of mind knowing that there are full-time licensed nurses available, along with activity coordinators, social workers, caregivers, a concierge and Rabbi who focus solely on helping each resident thrive. Even better, our services and amenities are equal to those of a state-of-the-art resort. This is the lifestyle and care that your loved one deserves.

At The Reutlinger Community, seniors have numerous opportunities to engage in award-winning programs that are designed to engage the mind, renew the spirit and provide opportunities to meet new people and learn something new. Whether residents are enjoying our art program and museum, listening to a lecture or educational program or attending spiritual programming and our wide range of activities, there’s something for each resident to love. Participate as much or as little as you like, the choice is all yours.

For more information contact us today.

10 Dementia-Friendly Springtime Activities

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Spring is normally the time of year when we get excited to be outside enjoying the weather and airing out the home following a cold and dusty winter. If you’re a caregiver to someone with dementia, you may be wondering what you can do to keep him or her active during the transition in weather.

“Activities are incredibly important for individuals with dementia because it helps keep them engaged, fulfilled and interested,” says Andrea Campisi, Marketing and Admissions Director of The Reutlinger Community, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Danville, CA. “However, when planning outings this spring for your loved one with dementia, it is even more important to be alert, be aware and choose safe options that will keep them healthy.”

Here are some of our springtime ideas for fun and festivities.

  1. Do some gardening. Gardening is a wonderful activity for dementia patients because it combines light exercise with dexterity activities and total sensory stimulation. You and your loved one can work at weeding out flower beds, planting seedlings and other light chores. Be sure that the activity isn’t too strenuous. You can purchase some dementia-friendly gardening tools that will allow your senior loved one to participate safely.
  2. Take a walk. A short walk around the block is a great form of exercise. Be sure your loved one has appropriate footwear to avoid falls. You can take a walk around the neighborhood or head to a nearby park for a change of scenery – whatever’s easiest.
  3. Become a birdwatcher. Put a birdfeeder outside your loved one’s window or on the patio. Grab your tablet (or go old-school with a birdwatching book) and look up the feathered friends who come to visit.
  4. Sit in the sun. Even just sitting outside for 15 minutes can help with circadian rhythms, improve mood, boost spirits, reduce stress and more. Spend some time outside reading a book or simply enjoying the feel of the sun on your face. Being outside stimulates all the senses with sounds, smells and feels, which can help with cognitive issues.
  5. Pack a picnic. Get some carry-out (or pick up some sandwiches from the grocery store) and have a picnic in the park – or your backyard!
  6. Arrange a beautiful bouquet. How does your garden grow? If you have plants sprouting in your yard and garden, clip some of the most beautiful blooms and arrange them in vases around the house. If you’d like to do a more in-depth activity, purchase flowers from the grocery store or market and spend an afternoon creating floral masterpieces with your loved one. When you’re done, you can deliver the bouquets to friends and family memes who might enjoy a little cheer.
  7. Paint flower pots. Gardening doesn’t have to only be done indoors. Container gardening is very popular, and provides an opportunity to create fun, unique flower pots. Purchase some terracotta pots and acrylic paint and design pretty pots that you can plant herbs, vegetables or flowers in.
  8. Spring clean your home. While spring cleaning may not immediately signal “fun activity” for you, it’s an excellent opportunity to engage your loved one and give them the chance to feel useful. Choose tasks that are simple enough and within their abilities (dusting, sorting, etc).
  9. Cook a new dish. All sorts of fresh fruits and vegetables are in season during spring. Get inspired in the kitchen to create new, seasonally inspired dishes. Cooking is a great activity for individuals with dementia, and you may end up learning some new tips and techniques, too.
  10. Plant an indoor herb garden. Herbs are easy to grow indoors and add a zing to any springtime dish. Choose hardy plants like basil, thyme, oregano, chives and rosemary, and your kitchen will smell like a fine restaurant all season long.

For more information about dementia-friendly springtime activities, or to learn more about our community, mission and values, please contact us at 925-272-0261.

Premier Senior Living, Dedicated Care

The Reutlinger Community’s mission is to provide high quality health care and social support services in a life-enhancing and stimulating environment with a commitment to Jewish values.

Offering Assisted Living, Enhanced Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, The Reutlinger Community provides a continuum of care that allows seniors to live a life-enhancing and stimulating environment. Located in Danville, California, The Reutlinger Community’s renovated, 110,000-square-foot community combines the comfort and familiarity of home with seasoned senior care and skilled nursing specialists to suit any seniors needs, allowing them to live the life they choose with freedom and security.

Because we specialize in a continuum of care, our residents never need to worry about leaving the community they call home or wonder what will happen when they need some more care. Residents and families alike can have peace of mind knowing that there are full-time licensed nurses available, along with activity coordinators, social workers, caregivers, a concierge and Rabbi who focus solely on helping each resident thrive. Even better, our services and amenities are equal to those of a state-of-the-art resort. This is the lifestyle and care that your loved one deserves.

At The Reutlinger Community, seniors have numerous opportunities to engage in award-winning programs that are designed to engage the mind, renew the spirit and provide opportunities to meet new people and learn something new. Whether residents are enjoying our art program and museum, listening to a lecture or educational program or attending spiritual programming and our wide range of activities, there’s something for each resident to love. Participate as much or as little as you like, the choice is all yours.

For more information or to schedule a personal tour, contact us today.