Moving in

• Visit to see the room beforehand if possible.
• Prepare clothing, toiletries and personal items, furnishings, and familiar items for the resident’s room (see pages 21 – 26 for details). Broadmead Care will label clothing. Other items such as watches, dentures, or glasses are to be marked with the resident’s name prior to moving in. Other personal items such as pictures should be labelled before move in. If pictures are brought, we prefer that safety glass is used in the frame, rather than regular glass.
• If the person is coming directly from home, please bring all medications and treatments currently being used, so the Nurse can review them. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, over-the-counter drugs, medicated creams, and eye drops.
• If possible, arrange to come for move-in day.
• Prepare a list of important names and phone numbers you would like on the person’s health record.
• Decide who will be the primary family contact. This should be the person who is either officially appointed as Committee of Person or Health Representative for the resident, or who will make healthcare decisions regarding the person’s care (if he or she is unable to make their own decisions). This may be the same, or a different person, than the person who has financial Power of Attorney. The primary family contact will serve as a link to the rest of the family.
• Prepare relevant legal and financial documents such as the Power of Attorney form (copy), Health Representation Agreement (original), Advance Healthcare Planning documents (original), cheque book for account payments, Veterans Service Card (if a Veteran), and their Care Card.
• Prepare other information you think will be helpful for the team in providing care or understanding their personal history.
• Talk about moving in. There is no single strategy for this, as it depends on the person’s level of understanding and attitude towards moving. For someone with fairly intact memory, it may be helpful to begin talking about the move and the reasons for it. What is essential is that the family caregiver conveys a sense of confidence and reassurance about the move.

Please arrive at the time you are advised by Broadmead Care staff. If you are bringing your loved one or their belongings in your own car, staff will advise where you can park to best unload.

Shortly after this, the person with Power of Attorney for financial affairs will meet with a Broadmead Care staff person to complete the admission documentation and set up payment and accounts. The Power of Attorney document is needed for this activity. This process requires approximately 30 minutes.

In the first few hours after arriving there will be visits from members of the Care Team to get to know the resident and his or her family. People accompanying the resident on move in day may stay for a complimentary lunch.

Time can be spent in your loved one’s room putting away clothing and belongings, and personalizing their space.

Adjustment to living in long term care takes time. There are a variety of emotions and experiences with any transition, and this is no different. Staff will do their best to ease the transition. Family and friends are encouraged to visit, and at any time may contact the Nurse, Care Manager, or Social Worker for assistance.