Researchers at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte recently published results from a study that examined the family caregiver’s experiences while moving relatives with Alzheimer’s disease between their homes to assisted living residences and then later into memory care units. Richard Shank, Aging in Action reports:

They found a considerable amount of uncertainty regarding move and transfer policies and conclude the long term care industry must improve the support and information they provide to family caregivers regarding the move-in and transfer process.

The decision to move is a difficult one for anyone. The anxiety and stress involved is a natural part of the process. However, acting as a proxy in this decision can be especially difficult for family caregivers caring for an older loved one. Many care recipients resist moves into assisted living residence and only do so when care arrangements become too overwhelming for their care givers. The process can create conflict between the two. Past research has documented this “assisted living as a last resort” phenomenon quite well. Until now, very little of this research had actually focused on the transition period between home and assisted living, and subsequently into memory care units.

Knowing more about the family needs during this transitional period, during which the final decisions are being made, will help assisted living and memory care providers attract new residents more successfully.

Read more by following this link:

Examining the Role that Caregivers Play in the Decision to Move to Assisted Living