Moving from villa to rest home

It is usually a parent that you will have to make the decision for, and this is where it becomes difficult.

When is the time right?

I don’t think the time is ever right when you must make that decision to tell your parent that the time has come for them to move from their villa into a rest home.

It must be one of the hardest decisions that you will ever have to make. Yes, they need to move, but you know that your parent is about to lose their independence and the one thing that they dislike at their age is change.

Where do you start?

You need to go and visit some of the rest homes in the area that is going to be convenient for you and family to visit once your family member has moved.

You will need to put their name down at more than one rest home facility and be prepared to wait, the list of people wanting a rest home for their loved ones is going to be long.

Think about what your parent would like and feel comfortable with. An ensuite, or a door out to a courtyard, a room that gets plenty of sun and what facilities and activities are available.

What is the food like, is there a hairdresser and podiatrist available and is there an on-call doctor? All these things need to be considered.

How do you approach the subject?

Writing from personal experience, I found that a family morning tea was the most comfortable in my situation. This way it does not just fall on your shoulders, and you can have the support from family members.

The day of the move

Prior to the move, if possible, see if you can take a few personal items to their new room at the rest home and set it all up. Take photos, a favourite chair, favourite picture, small tv, clothes and a few small treasures that will make the room feel like it is theirs.

On the day of the move take their favourite quilt from their bed, their hottie, and toiletries.

This day will be exhausting for your parent as well as yourself.

Their new home

As time passes, you will find that your parent will gradually forget their old home. They will make new friends, enjoy the company in the dining room and think of their room as home. You will relax and realise that they are safe, well cared for and the choice you made has been the right one.