It is never an easy decision to leave one’s house, neighborhood, friends & family and relocate to a Senior Citizen Care Home.

When someone is faced with the big decision to move into a residential facility (retirement home, assisted living, specialised care home), it can be a difficult and anxious time for them and their families.

Since in India more and more elders are moving into Senior Care Homes, hence it is extremely important for the home management and the staff to be sensitive, empathetic and trained in supporting people at the start of their care home journey.

Once the senior citizen or their family members start exploring various residential and care options, it can be an overwhelming experience. 

Questions like, will the caregiver be trained, is the home management actually concerned about the elderly residents or are they purely business oriented in their dealings etc etc. These are just examples on the types of questions and concerns which typically goes through the minds of the elders and/or their family members.

Since it is critical that each resident and his/her family members are made comfortable at the time of “Entering Care” hence it is always advisable to have a “welcome kit”.

The objective of a welcome pack/kit is to give potential residents and family members regarding what they can expect from life at the Senior Citizen Care Home. 

It is a brief document which is like a brochure with checklist and home policies and guidelines for all prospective residents.

A welcome document not only helps in understanding the ethos and guiding vision of the Care Home, it is also a document which prospective residents can carry with them and discuss it with their family and friends at their own convenience.

Welsh Government has published a short guide titled “Supporting people at the start of their care home journey”. It is a good read for all stakeholders who are involved or have keen interest in Eldercare.

Pankaj Mehrotra