'She never really accepted that this was going to be permanent'
Chrissy talks about how her mum felt when her dad moved into a nursing home.
Support moving into a care home
Moving into a care home can be a difficult change. We’ve got some tips on what you can do to make it easier.
How will I settle in to the care home?
It’s not always easy getting used to new places, new faces and new routines. So here are a few tips to help you make yourself at home.
Bring in home comforts
Bring photos and soft furnishings to make the room your own. You might also be able to bring favourite pieces of furniture. Some homes allow residents to bring their pets with them too.
Finding your way around
It might take a while to get your bearings, so don’t hesitate to ask staff or visiting family and friends to show you where things are until you feel more settled.
Talk to staff
Talk to staff about your routine or ask a relative or friend to talk to them. If you like to eat lunch in your room or have a lie-in at the weekend, staff should aim to fit in with this. Let staff know about your interests, likes and dislikes. If you have dementia, staff should learn about you – for example, by using a memory book.
Keep your relatives involved
Go to meetings for relatives and residents and invite your loved ones to come too. Many care homes offer sessions to talk about any issues affecting residents.
Stay connected
Staying in touch is really important. It may be possible to install a phone line in your room or you can use a mobile phone to call friends and family.
What can I take into a care home?
Most care homes allow you to take in belongings that help you feel at home.
Photos, soft furnishings and your favourite music and books will all help your room feel more familiar. Some care homes will allow you to bring in furniture, a television and even your own bed. Speak to the care home manager about your options.
Take the toiletries and clothes you need. It's a good idea to label your clothes so they don't get muddled up in the laundry.
What if I'm struggling to settle in?
If there’s a problem, try to raise it sooner rather than later. You can ask a loved one to help you communicate it to staff if that would feel more comfortable.
If the problem is a small one, it should be easy to fix – for example, if you’re unhappy with your evening meals or think your room should be cleaned more often. Start by explaining the problem to someone in charge – an informal chat often helps. If it doesn’t, you can make a formal complaint using the complaints procedure.
You might worry that complaining will affect the staff’s attitude towards you. This shouldn’t happen in a well-run home, as staff should want the residents to be comfortable living there.
If you want to move
Sometimes, even after the best preparation and efforts to help you settle in, you might be unhappy and want to move. Discuss this with your loved ones and, if your place is being funded, either your local council or the NHS. Keep staff at the current home updated so they know what’s happening.
Supporting a loved one to move into a care home
When someone moves into a care home, their life will change. So if you're a family member, a loved one or a carer, it’s likely yours will too.
It can be difficult when a loved one moves into a care home, and it can take some time to adjust. You might be feeling guilty, upset, lonely, relieved – or a mixture of these.
Talk to the care home staff if you have any concerns. They might be able to offer helpful tips for handling the transition. Care Rights UK is also a good source of further information and advice in England.
We're here to help
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.