I want to understand this new environment to keep my mom safe, active and cognitively challenged. What is the best approach to setting expectations while learning the new milieu?
In addition to visiting often, different times of day so you can meet and be aware of staff and goings-on, find out if they have an activities calendar. Participate when you can.
In the facility my mother was in, they had (pre-virus) MANY activities, including some outside the facility (with chaperones of course.) They were allowed to choose whether or not to go. They also brought in a hairdresser, so the residents could schedule cuts, washing, perms, etc.
They had many staff run activities, but they also brought in outside groups as well, to interact and entertain.
If your mom needs to keep "busy", perhaps she can assist staff with various tasks, like setting the tables for meals. Sometimes the staff would have residents folding the cloth napkins for meal time.
If there were activities she enjoyed before the move, such as word games, puzzles, crosswords, crafts, etc, make sure she has these handy. Reading is also a good activity, if she likes to read (reading is considered an ACTIVE behavior, vs TV, which is passive), make sure she has some books (bring new ones as gifts.)
Ideally, you chose a MC with different levels of activity for those of differing abilities. My mother's place has three levels -- one called "The Club" where folks do pretty much whatever they want within the confines of the facility. One of those residents is a retired neuroscientist who is probably the only one I've noticed no decline in since the pandemic started. He naturally keeps to himself and reads big, scary science books all day, so nothing changed in his life with the lockdown.
The next group gets bingo, trivia, Hangman games, music, crafts, and physical games like balloon volleyball and bowling from chairs.
The final group is the one that get lots of music therapy. They do sing alongs (with little singing along), large motor skill activities involving large Legos, and more one-on-one interaction with the caregivers.
In addition to getting to know the staff, get to know the other families. If you visit around the same time, you'll start recognizing each other, and you should get to know them. You'll be an important part of one another's support system.
Remember that MC has their own schedules. Being in a MC she is safe. Let her rely on staff. She is paying big bucks to live there. I did nothing that should be done by staff. Don't visit too long the first week or so. She needs to get used to her new home.
In the facility my mother was in, they had (pre-virus) MANY activities, including some outside the facility (with chaperones of course.) They were allowed to choose whether or not to go. They also brought in a hairdresser, so the residents could schedule cuts, washing, perms, etc.
They had many staff run activities, but they also brought in outside groups as well, to interact and entertain.
If your mom needs to keep "busy", perhaps she can assist staff with various tasks, like setting the tables for meals. Sometimes the staff would have residents folding the cloth napkins for meal time.
If there were activities she enjoyed before the move, such as word games, puzzles, crosswords, crafts, etc, make sure she has these handy. Reading is also a good activity, if she likes to read (reading is considered an ACTIVE behavior, vs TV, which is passive), make sure she has some books (bring new ones as gifts.)
The next group gets bingo, trivia, Hangman games, music, crafts, and physical games like balloon volleyball and bowling from chairs.
The final group is the one that get lots of music therapy. They do sing alongs (with little singing along), large motor skill activities involving large Legos, and more one-on-one interaction with the caregivers.
In addition to getting to know the staff, get to know the other families. If you visit around the same time, you'll start recognizing each other, and you should get to know them. You'll be an important part of one another's support system.
Learn the name and faces of all caregivers.
Get the email addresses of the Executive Director, Activities Director, and Head of Food Service. Keep in contact.
Look direct caregivers in the eye and thank them for specific ways that they help your loved one. As often as possible.
Come back here often. There are lots of us in the same boat with ya! 🙂
And many who have been in that boat, in the past, who know a lot too!