Ep.3 - Adjusting to Aged Care with Sheridan and Grace. Plus, What Aged Care Providers and Families Can Do to Help with Mark Aros and Zoe Falster
May 22, 2024
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Experts Mark Aros and Zoe Falster join host Nicole Lessio to discuss integrating loved ones into aged care communities. Topics include importance of belonging, open communication, coping with guilt, and finding purpose. Residents share their experiences, stressing involvement and relationships. The episode emphasizes kindness and respect in creating well-being in aged care.
Early involvement in community activities and social events promotes a sense of belonging in aged care communities.
Open communication, honesty, and adapting to new roles help families navigate emotional challenges when moving a loved one into aged care.
Deep dives
Integrating New Residents into the Aged Care Community
Integrating into a new aged care community is crucial for emotional well-being and adjustment for loved ones. Families are advised to encourage early involvement in community activities, participate in social events, and create a home-like atmosphere in the new living space. Building relationships with staff, other residents, and engaging in various activities help foster a sense of belonging and assist in the adjustment process.
Family Dynamics and Adjusting to Change
Moving a loved one into aged care can be emotionally challenging for families, evoking feelings of guilt, uncertainty, and fear. By fostering open communication, relying on honesty, and adapting to the new roles within the family dynamic, individuals can navigate the transition with a focus on the well-being and happiness of the resident. Embracing change and engaging in heartfelt conversations play a key role in creating a supportive environment.
Impacts of Integration and Mental Health
Integration into the aged care community positively impacts mental health by reducing feelings of isolation, enhancing a sense of connectedness, and fostering a purposeful life. Engaging in community activities, developing relationships, and maintaining an active role in decision-making contribute to a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Addressing feelings of guilt and adjusting to newfound freedom post-caregiving are vital for personal well-being and successful integration.
Supporting Residents with Diverse Needs
Supporting residents with varying cognitive and physical abilities involves identifying individual strengths, establishing environmental aids, and fostering personalized care approaches. Memory boxes, visual cues, and tailored communication strategies assist in engaging residents with advanced dementia. By prioritizing the personhood of each resident, aged care facilities create inclusive environments that cater to diverse needs and promote meaningful interactions.
In this episode of St. Vincent's Care's navigating Aged Care series, the focus is on integrating loved ones into their new aged care community.
The host, Nicole Lessio, is joined by residents, families, aged care staff, a geriatrician, and a psychologist to discuss the importance of belonging and adjustment in the new home. Sheridan, a family member, shares her experience of integrating her mother into the community by visiting her regularly, participating in activities, and encouraging social interaction.
"The facility's assistance in that was crucial in that knowing that I was coming outside of visiting hours. So, the nurses or staff would still let me in after hours just so that I could go in and see her and reassure her that I am not abandoning now."
- Sheridan on her Mum's initial move into aged care
Grace, a resident, emphasizes the importance of getting involved and finding meaning in the new community. The experts provide advice on helping residents integrate, including open communication, being present, and finding purpose. They also discuss the challenges and emotions that families may experience during this transition and offer strategies for coping with guilt and making the most of the new phase of life.
The episode highlights the significance of relationships, kindness, and respect in creating a sense of belonging and well-being in aged care communities.