Transitions from home into residential care

[MStewart]

Hi everyone,

I wondered if I could ask for your input and advice on a possible service.

Over the last 2 years I have helped my partners Mother and then my Aunt transition from their homes into residential care. It was such a lot of work and of course you want to help. I was so shocked at the stuff... it just never seemed to end and made me realise the amount of items that you keep in cupboards, sheds, lofts!

A friend then put me in touch with her sister-in-law's as her Mother was living where I lived yet she was overseas and was really stressed as she felt she didn't know where to start. I arranged her Mothers transition from her larger home, into a residential carehome. I helped clear and pack her belongings, helping her to decide what items she wanted to take with her, arranged and co-ordinated a good house clearance company and distributed loads to neighbours and charity. Because the house wasn't being sold, I got quotes for painters etc to come in and give it a lick of paint and then got it all ready for renting.

Her daughter was thrilled as she didn't feel as guilty knowing someone was handling lots of the practical and physical things properly and with patience and kindness to her Mother. It also enabled her to spend more time making plans and choosing the residential and dealing with her Mum. When she did come over at the stage her Mum was ready to move she was able to spend all of her time with her, rather than having to deal with trips to the dump and cleaning.

I wondered if I could ask if you had been through something similar to this and what things would have helped you and your family? Any advice on service you think would be really helpful at this particularly stressful time? With many thanks for your help I hope you don't mind me putting the question out there.