Visual Memories, Including Pets, Help with Transition into Long-Term Care

A person's transition into a long-term care facility can benefit from the use of photographs and mementos, including pet drawings, to ease fears. As you help make older family members more comfortable with their transition, start planning for your future declining health and aging now.

Recommend This Page
Visual Memories, Including Pets, Help with Transition into Long-Term Care
9 Min Read April 23rd, 2018 Updated:February 17th, 2022

Longevity, brought on by advances in medical science, allows more people to live longer lives. However, at some point, many of us will require help with basic activities of daily living or even supervision due to memory conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Often no advance plan was put into place, and the family must step in. 

This support from family and friends places physical and emotional burdens on them. It can even create financial burdens, as adult children and their spouses must take time off from work to help care for a loved one. 

Many times the family will move their loved one into an assisted living facility, memory care facility, or nursing home that provides many or all of the long-term care services they need. The transition can be difficult for both the person making a move and their loved ones.

Cognitive Decline Often Requires Facility Care

Approximately half of adults with dementia reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, and about 70% of Americans with dementia will die in a nursing home. Whether the need for a facility is supervision or help with activities of daily living, the need to find solutions for a better transition is just as critical as how it will be paid for and the impact of a family’s assets.

“It is very important, even critical, for these patients to have familiar and emotionally meaningful items surrounding them in their rooms. Photos of loved ones, mementos of happy times, and other items with which they have a positive emotional connection really go a long way towards improving the quality of their day-to-day life while living in a nursing facility.”

Dr. Thomas Schweinberg

Thomas A. Schweinberg, PsyD

Dr. Schweinberg serves as the staff neuropsychologist for the Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason, Ohio, just outside Cincinnati. Schweinberg has not only worked with nursing home residents but has also had had several close family members who resided in long-term nursing facilities.

He says the unfamiliar surroundings of a long-term care facility can be made to feel more like home, which gives the person more connection to their past life to ease the transition.

“This can be particularly true for those patients with dementia. With dementia, patients can become all the more disoriented, and perhaps even upset, by the unfamiliar surroundings and people. However, even those with dementia often have their long-term memories firmly intact. Having visual reminders of their previous lives can be very reassuring for them and can help to keep them grounded and rooted in who they are and what their lives have been about even if their current circumstances are confusing and unfamiliar.”

Dr. Schweinberg

Photos and other mementos, says Schweinberg, and the memories that they evoke can be psychologically therapeutic. The result is a more positive mood and outlook for an elderly family member.

One type of therapy that is used is called Reminiscence Therapy. Reminiscence Therapy, explains Schweinberg, is based on the notion of recalling and talking about memories.

“Even memories of difficult life circumstances can help to reduce or alleviate depression in elderly patients.“

Dr. Schweinberg.

Pets and Long-Term Care

Since so many people have had multiple pets during their lifetime, can the power of pets be put to good use to help a person make their kind of transition? Schweinberg says, yes.

“It has been well-established that pets have a therapeutic and often calming impact on people in general. However, there is also evidence that, for the elderly, owning and interacting with pets can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase social interaction, and increase physical activity. These last two benefits are particularly helpful to the elderly, who often begin to limit their activities and increasingly withdraw from the interpersonal world around them.”

Dr. Schweinberg.

Ali Orr, a well-known artist who specializes in pet drawings, says she deals with many families in this situation (https://www.etsy.com/shop/AliOrrArt or on Facebook at @aliorrart - www.facebook.com/aliorrart)

“People absolutely adore their pets and really do view them as members of the family. I am obsessed with my dog and cannot picture my life without him in it. A lot of my customers are completely head-over-heels for their pets as well and even view their pets as their babies no matter what age they might be.”

Ali Orr

Photos and Drawings of Favorite Pets Help Those in Care

Orr is often asked to create drawings of pets, both living and dead. This can bring strong positive memories and emotions for people.

“These drawings give people comfort, which is an amazing feeling for me and I am glad that the drawing is part of their healing process. I’ve watched or heard people cry as they opened their gift and reminisce on the memories of their pets. Each time is an emotional moment.”

Ali Orr

These gifts for older family members can bring a strong positive outlook that Dr. Schweinberg says the key to a transition to Long-Term Care.

“Being able to talk about one’s past life experiences to someone who is genuinely interested and actively listening can provide these patients with an enhanced self-esteem, a sense of meaning about their lives, as well as a sense of validation regarding their worth as a person. Also, the opportunity to reminisce with an interested listener can also provide something that psychologists refer to as “generativity,” which refers to the sense of satisfaction and purpose that comes with being able to pass on the life lessons they have learned, and the hard-earned wisdom that their life experiences provided them, to someone younger.”

Dr. Schweinberg

Image may contain: dog

Orr says people will send her multiple photographs of pets they owned throughout a person‘s lifetime. She creates a piece of art that can hang in a person’s room, which aids in their transition to a long-term care facility.

In this example, three individual photographs become one group drawing.

“My hope that every drawing I make either brings someone comfort when remembering the pets that have passed away or brings happiness when they see the resemblance of their pet in the drawing. I hope when someone looks at the drawing of their pet(s) that it brings a lot of memories, big and small.”

Ali Orr

Orr explains that photographs, paintings, furniture, etc. are all items that make space feel like home. She says these items bring comfort.

“A drawing of a pet is more than a picture, though. We all take pictures of our family members and capture memories, but a drawing brings a pet to life. These drawings have sentimental value and are physical and visual reminders of memories of their pet. I hope that my drawings allow the pet owner to immediately recall the memory."

Ali Orr

Dr. Schweinberg says the process of moving into a long-term nursing care facility requires many substantial adjustments, many of them being difficult to accept.

“It involves not only giving up one’s own home but also giving up many aspects of one’s independence and identity. Because of this, such an adjustment is often accompanied with a significant sense of grief and loss.”

Dr. Schweinberg

Family Can be Frustrated Without Advance Planning

He explains that family members have the challenge of helping their loved ones make this life transition, which is often unwanted and resisted. Schweinberg indicates this is often a frustrating process for the whole family. He encourages preparation in advance as much as possible. 

Meeting with staff at the facility will give the family information and reduce some of the fears that an elderly family member will have when leaving their past life into this new “home.”

“It is extremely important that family members remain supportive, positive and encouraging throughout the process. This includes listening as their loved one talk about what they will miss about their home and the life that they are leaving behind."

Dr. Schweinberg

Schweinberg says this validates the difficult feelings that such a transition into long-term care can bring.

He suggests family members should remain patient and understanding. Their loved one will often be resistant and cynical about the need for long-term health care, be in denial about their health issues, and how they feel about making a big life transition. Planning, in part with the use of photographs and other memories, including pet drawings, can ease this fear many will feel.

“This is a transition for the entire family system, not just for the elderly family member. Typically, the more family members who are involved in preparing for and facilitating this transition, the better the outcome.”

Dr. Schweinberg

The cost of long-term health care is another primary concern for both the elderly family member and the rest of the family. If they had put in place a Long-Term Care Insurance policy before their aging or health event, much of the cost would be paid for, thus reducing the financial pressure on the family. However, no planning was done, and the family ends up in a crisis.

Long-Term Care Insurance Makes it Easier on Everyone 

If a Long-Term Care Insurance policy is not in place, personal income and assets will be used to fund the costs of care services. Health insurance, including Medicare and supplements, will not pay for most long-term health care leaving families to deal with it on their own. Medicaid will pay for long-term health care, but the care recipient must have little or no income and assets to qualify for these benefits.

You might be dealing with older parents right now, but now is the best time to plan for future declining health and aging. The ideal time to obtain coverage is when you are in your 40s or 50s, with most people doing it in their 50s. 

Planning not only ensures the choice of quality care services in the setting you desire, but it protects income and assets and gives loved ones the time to be family instead of caregivers.

1Reimer MA, Slaughter S, Donaldson C, Currie G, Eliasziw M. Special Care Facility Compared with Traditional Environments for Dementia Care: A Longitudinal Study of Quality of Life. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004;52:1085–1092

2Mitchell SL, Kiely DK, Jones RN, Prigerson H, Volicer L, Teno JM. Advanced Dementia Research in the Nursing Home: The CASCADE Study. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2006;20:166–175.

Recommend This Page

About the Author

Linda is a freelance writer interested in retirement planning, health and aging.

LTC News Contributor Linda Kople

Linda Kople

Contributor since October 31st, 2017

Editor's Note

The transition into a long-term care facility is always hard on both family members and the care recipient. Most long-term care situations start with care at home. Long-Term Care Insurance will pay benefits for quality care at home and adult day care, assisted living, memory care, and traditional nursing homes.

LTC Insurance is More Than Money - It Helps Family

Caregiving is always hard on family members. Managing a care situation for a loved one is also tricky and brings out vast amounts of emotion. Most Long-Term Care Insurance plans provide case management to help the family make the right decisions. Getting the proper care plan and providers or facilities everyone feels comfortable with will add peace of mind.

The cost of paid professional care, at home or a facility, drains hard-earned savings. Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance will safeguard retirement funds while reducing the burdens placed on family members.

Long-Term Care Insurance is more than just money. It helps make this life transition easier for everyone.

Planning Tools and Resources on LTC NEWS

You can find many tools and resources on LTC NEWS to assist you in your research for a planning solution or help your family find the appropriate care for a loved one at the time of crisis. 

To help you plan the costs and burdens of changing health and aging, LTC NEWS has put in place several resources, including:

Find all the resources on LTC NEWS - Resources for Long-Term Care Planning | LTC News.

Seek Professional Guidance

Insurance rates are regulated, so no insurance agent, agency, or financial advisor can give you special deals. However, insurance companies' premiums vary over 100% for the same coverage.

Experts suggest using a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist to help you navigate the many options available to you and your family.

A specialist who works with the top companies can match your age, health, family history, and other factors and find you the best coverage at the best value. A specialist will save you money, and you will have peace of mind knowing they are making the appropriate recommendations - Work With a Specialist | LTC News.

Finding Quality Care for Mom or Dad

Start by reading our four guides -  

If they are lucky enough to own a Long-Term Care Insurance policy, be sure they use it. Sometimes families wait, thinking they can save the benefits for a rainy day. Waiting on using available Long-Term Care Insurance benefits is not a wise idea. 

Get Help in Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim

Quality care obtained early will help provide a better quality of life and reduce the risk of a deep decline and facility care. If you need help in starting the process of a Long-Term Care Insurance claim, LTC NEWS can help.

LTC NEWS provides free assistance with no obligation to help you or a loved one complete the claims process with a Long-Term Care Insurance policy. We have teamed up with Amada Senior Care, who will do all the work, free with no obligation. 

You can also get support in finding quality caregivers and get recommendations for a proper care plan, whether a person has a policy or not. - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim | LTC News

Benefits of Reverse Mortgages 

Today's reverse mortgages for those aged 62 and older could be an ideal resource to fund a Long-Term Care Insurance policy OR even provide money to pay for care if you, or a loved one, already needs help and assistance.  

Some people have much of their savings invested in their homes. With today's reverse mortgages, you can find ways to fund care solutions, care itself, even help with cash flow during your retirement. 

Learn more by asking questions to an expert. LTC NEWS columnist and host of the TV Show "62 Who Knew" will answer your questions regarding caregiving, aging, health, retirement planning, long-term care, and reverse mortgages. 

- Just "Ask Mike." - Reverse Mortgages | LTC News.

Share Your Knowledge - Be A Guest Contributor for LTC NEWS 

LTC NEWS is open to contributors to share their stories with the world. 

You can write a story or ongoing column for LTC NEWS. You can write about many topics, including aging, caregiving, health, lifestyle, retirement planning, and long-term care, to name a few.

Be sure to write for our core target audience of adults aged 40 and older. Our audience is worldwide; however, our primary target is the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other English-speaking nations. 

Improve your website or blog's SEO and gain exposure and traffic at the same time by being a contributor to LTC NEWS. 

You can even promote yourself, your business, and your website or blog. However, it must have editorial content exclusive to LTC NEWS and not just an advertisement. It can include links to other sites, and you can share the article link once published on your website or social media.

Email your story idea or article: newsroom@ltcnews.com - LTC News Contributors | LTC News

Your Marketing and Advertising Partner – LTC NEWS

Use LTC NEWS to drive traffic to your website and help you attract people interested in your products and services. Plus, you can improve your website's SEO so more consumers can find you when they search for your products and services.

There are various marketing options available with LTC NEWS. Traditional advertising, sponsored content articles, strategic alliances, and more are available. 

Learn more about how LTC NEWS can help you market your business, drive traffic, and improve SEO - Advertise With Us | LTC News.

Shared Links

LTC NEWS offers a 'helpful links' page so readers looking for additional information can find them easily. You can get a dofollow link to your website on LTC NEWS in exchange for a dofollow link on your site.

Let's work together and help consumers who search for us on the web - Site Request | LTC News.

You can also affordably purchase a dofollow link to your website or blog on LTC NEWS. Just contact the advertising department.

Sharing News with LTC NEWS 

Include LTC NEWS in your press release distribution. If your group, organization, business, political committee, etc., have news to share, send it to LTC NEWS. Email - newsroom@ltcnews.com  

LTC News Trusted & Verified

Work With a Trusted Specialist

Get Accurate Long-Term Care Insurance Quotes

  • Has substantial experience in Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Strong understanding of underwriting, policy design, and claims experience
  • Represents all or most of all the leading insurance companies
man and woman sitting at desk
Connect With a Long-Term Care Specialist

Find Affordable Insurance and the Right Coverage.

LTC News Trusted & Verified
Learn More
Latest
  • Latest

  • Oldest

Everything
  • Homecare

  • Health

  • Government

  • Care Facilities

  • Pets

  • People

  • Lifestyle

  • Insurance

Step 1 of 4

Find a Specialist

Get Started Today

Trusted & Verified Specialists

Work with a trusted Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist Today

  • Has substantial experience in Long-Term Care Insurance
  • A strong understanding of underwriting, policy design, and claims experience
  • Represents all or most of all the leading insurance companies

LTC News Trusted & Verified

Compare Insurers

+

Claim this listing

Fill out this short form

Step Number:

1
2
3

Request Listing Edit

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Step Number:

1
2
3

Are you a customer of this business, or are you an employee?