Care teams can be of great value to older adults as they transition from living independently to a long term care setting. While some older adults look to the future and plan to move to a retirement facility, others find themselves there due to an illness or declining health status. In either case, a care team can help ease the transition.

In working with an individual in a long term care setting, the care team will need to think in a different way about how to provide care. The older adult may be receiving meals and have access to transportation at their facility. The person will be monitored by staff and may not need someone to "watch" them while family members run errands. However the care team should realize that the need for care may still be very present.

Older adults that choose to move into a facility, and who are in relatively good health, may not need a great deal of support. The care team might be sure the person has transportation to and from church events if that is possible. The care team might help the person unpack their belongings in the new home. Regular visits from the pastor or care team members can be helpful as the person adjusts to a new life choice. Even in the best of situations, there may be some sadness about giving up a home or familiar neighborhood. However, the care team should be working to help the person transition to their new home and not create a situation where the care team is needed in the long term. Ideally, the care team would be needed for a very short term but a deacon might be asked to maintain periodic contact with the person.

However, for those older adults who move to a retirement facility due to illness or declining health, the needs may be different. They may be very sad about the transition and need the care team to help them with the move and to provide regular visits during their first weeks in the facility. The care team's role may be to provide assurance that the person has not been forgotten by the church. If the person's health is declining, the care team may suggest that the pastor visit more frequently to talk with the person about spiritual matters. In this case, a care team may wish to assign a Stephen minister or deacon to provide ongoing support to the person.

For those living with memory loss and who have made the transition to long term care, the change can be very difficult. The care team might help ease the transition by bringing pictures of people from church for the older adult to keep. CD's with familiar hymns can also be helpful. The care team can help by reminding the person that the church cares for them and by providing a familiar presence.

In all of the above situations, the care team should work with the older adult and family to determine what services would be most needed and appreciated. Sometimes something so small as a bringing a church bulletin is what is required. The important thing to remember is not to forget those who can no longer participate in the life of the church as they once did. God has not forgotten them.