Moving into a personal care home can be a big change for older adults and their families. And one question that often comes up is, “How often should I visit my family members in their personal care home?” It’s all about finding the right balance between letting them keep their independence and giving them the support they need.
To figure out the best frequency for visits to your family member in a personal care home, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:
- Their needs as an individual
- Quality over quantity
- Setting realistic expectations
- External factors
- Respect for independence
- Staying flexible and adaptable
- Using technology to stay in touch
- Overall health of your loved one
- Social connectivity
Moving into a personal care home is a big step, but it’s often a necessary one to make sure your loved ones are living with dignity and comfort. Communities like Juniper make it easier for you and your loved one with plenty of fulfilling programs and services.
What to Consider When Considering Visiting a Family Member in a Personal Care Home?
Individual Needs
Every older adult’s journey with a personal care home is shaped by their own health, emotions, and personal likes and dislikes. To start off, you need to get a handle on what your family member specifically needs and prefers. By regularly chatting with the team at the community, you can get to know more about their day-to-day life and programs. That way, you’ll be able to plan your visits in a way that suits them best.
Quality Over Quantity
While it’s important to keep things consistent, the quality of your visits is just as crucial. Don’t get too hung up on sticking to a strict schedule. Instead, concentrate on making each visit count. Do things your loved one loves, really listen when they share their stories, and show them affection in ways like giving a back rub or holding their hand.
Spend time creating happy memories together. It’s a great way to grow your bond and help boost overall well-being.
Realistic Expectations
When your loved one first moves into a personal care home, they might feel a bit overwhelmed or uncomfortable because of the shift and change in their routine. You must set expectations that make sense right from the start as you help them get used to their new surroundings.
Initially, you might need to stop by more often. But over time, as they start to settle into the community and their new lifestyle, you’ll likely be able to cut back on how often you visit.
External Factors
You still have outside responsibilities, and things like how far you live from your loved one’s personal care community, what your work schedule looks like, and family matters can affect how often you can visit. By taking a look at these external factors, you can set up a visitation routine that’s not only realistic but also something you can keep up with.
Respect Independence
Personal care homes primarily aim to foster independence while providing necessary support. Hence, it’s essential to strike a balance between rendering assistance and respecting your loved one’s autonomy. Regular visits should aim to bolster their sense of connection without infringing on their newfound independence.
Adapt to Changing Circumstances
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to transitions. Your loved one’s needs might change over time, maybe because of health stuff or just getting used to their new way of life. So keep an eye on how things are going for them, and don’t be afraid to switch up how often you visit if you need to.
Leverage Technology
In today’s digital age, technology offers various ways to stay connected even when physical visits are challenging. Video calls, phone calls, texts, or emails can all help you stay connected with your loved one in their personal care home if you can’t visit them physically.
Your Loved One’s Health
One of the primary factors to consider when deciding how often to visit a family member in their personal care home is their health. The needs of your loved one should determine how often you need to visit them.
If they can take care of themselves relatively independently, then a visit once or twice a week may be enough. However, if they require constant supervision or are suffering from a medical condition, it may be necessary to visit more frequently or consider a more hands-on care approach.
Social Connectivity
Your loved one’s social connections in the personal care community can really make a difference to their overall happiness and well-being. It might mean carving out some time from your packed schedule, but try to line up your visits with the social events or programs going on in their community. It’ll help them feel more part of things and could make their time there even more enjoyable.
Mastering Visitation in a Personal Care Home
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should visit a family member in their personal care community. The key is to strike a balance that respects their independence, meets their unique needs, and aligns with practical considerations.
Regular, quality visits contribute to a supportive environment, fostering a sense of connection and well-being for your loved one in a personal care home.Juniper is committed to providing quality care for your loved one. Book a tour of our communities to learn more about how we can support your family.