Adjusting
to the New Situation
It
will take time for both of you to adjust to your new
situation. Keep in mind that there is no correct number
of times to visit the person during this period. For
some people, the strain of caregiving has been such that
they need a "rest" during the first few weeks
after moving. Others will want to go as often as possible
during the first few weeks.
Whatever
you decide during this period is the right decision for
you. Go as often as you want and stay for as long as
you feel comfortable. The important thing is to make
each visit -- no matter the length or the frequency --
as full and rewarding as possible for both of you.
The
person with Alzheimer's disease will also need some time
to adjust to the new environment. Try to be patient as
he/she settles in. For some, this may take weeks or months;
for others, it may be less. Communicate closely with
the staff during this adjustment period.
Changes
in the person with Alzheimer's disease
Sometimes,
the person with Alzheimer's disease adjusts quite well
to the new surroundings. This may leave you with mixed
emotions -- while you feel happy that the person is doing
so well, you may also feel slightly rejected because
he/she seems more content in the facility than at home.
These feelings are perfectly natural.
You
have not lost your role as caregiver. You are now sharing
the responsibility of care with others. There are bound
to be some fundamental differences in the caregiving
routine that is provided by a facility and that which
you had provided at home. Remember, you were providing
ongoing care at home for 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, but staff are not responsible for carrying the
caregiving responsibilities alone. Staff members work
in shifts, sharing the responsibility of caring for a
number of people with other health care professionals.
A
benefit of having outside care is that you can focus
your time and energy to provide the person with a sense
of belonging and love that no one else can give.
Remember
that Alzheimer's disease will continue to progress regardless
of where the person lives. Sometimes, caregivers expect
that the person with Alzheimer's disease will improve once he or
she is under the care of staff. When this does not happen,
there is disappointment. You may find that you need to
continue to learn more about the disease
process and care techniques. Your local
Alzheimer Society can provide information and resources
to help you.
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