Should I Move My Loved One Home?

It is understandable to want to have your loved one close during this uncertain time of COVID-19. Involving your loved one in a decision to move from their current home is important, if possible. Thoughtful planning and consideration will assist you and your family member in making the best decision for your situation.

For many people who live here, there is comfort and community in being in our setting. They enjoy seeing a variety of staff every day who help them with daily chores, bring them meals, and visit with them as they clean their rooms. As you think about a move away from this community, here are some things to consider as you decide whether a move would be safe.

How will the person get the daily care that they need at home? Consider the things that they need assistance with including toileting, eating, dressing, medication management, treatments, etc. If you’re considering home health care, you may want to check on availability and cost now. Also, there may still be tasks that the family will need to do.

How safe is your home for your loved one’s needs? Is your home wheelchair or walker friendly if this is a need? Are there stairs to the bedroom or bathroom? Are the bathrooms adapted with grab bars and raised toilet seats? How could you minimize tripping and potential falls?

What kind of specialized care does your loved one need that is provided in the care center? If they have dementia or Alzheimer’s, are they at risk of leaving the setting? Do they require special treatments or equipment? This care may be beyond what family members can provide.

What will the effects be from the transition for them — physically, emotionally, and from health perspective? Moves can be traumatic for anyone. This transition will involve a significant disruption in the person’s daily routine. Getting in and out of a car can be difficult as well as walking to the door, or traversing entry stairs. Are there adaptations that need to be made to assure a safe transition?

What contingency plan do you have if the primary care giver at home gets sick? The risk of COVID-19 does not go away outside of the senior setting.

How would the move affect your family? Adding another member to your household can cause stress due to changing roles and increased demands. Have you planned for needed help or support?

How are you and your family going to control infection risk? To reduce risk of infection, you’ll need to severely limit the outside places all people in your home go to during this time. Will all family members be able to practice frequent handwashing and clean household surfaces regularly to reduce infection risk?

If you and your loved one decide on a move to your home, we are here to assist in transition planning. Here are things we’ll need to discuss:

• Will the move be temporary or permanent?
• What supplies or equipment will you need?
• What medications are needed, how are they to be given, and how do we access refills?
• Are there adaptations or security changes needed to your home?
• Do you need services arranged for such us home care, therapy, or hospice services?
• How do we stop or change services like mail, phone, or cable?
• What does your rental or admission agreement require if you leave? What are your financial obligations to the setting?
• Do you need special transportation arranged?
• How do we minimize potential COVID exposure during the moving process?

Please let us know how we can help you and your loved during this stressful time. We are here to help everyone be as safe and healthy as possible as we all deal with the COVID-19 crisis.