Connect and Thrive: Helping New Residents Settle

Do your residents struggle to settle in? Do they stay in their rooms, hesitate to join activities, or withdraw after a few days, even if they seemed fine at first? This is far more common than people realise, and it doesn’t mean they’re unwilling. It means they’re overwhelmed.

Moving into a care home is one of the biggest transitions an older adult will ever face. It begins long before they arrive, in the quiet moments at home when they realise they must leave behind the life they built over decades. A few treasured objects can come with them, but how do you pack eighty or ninety years of memories, routines, values and identity into a single suitcase? The emotional weight of that loss is enormous, especially when family disagreements or difficult decisions sit in the background. And although families often believe the person “doesn’t understand,” most older adults understand far more than they show. Many stay silent simply to protect the people they love.

Once they arrive, the challenges continue. They must learn a new environment, new faces, new routines, even how to get up from a bed that isn’t theirs. Staff change daily. Trust takes time. Activities can sometimes feel unfamiliar, overwhelming or not quite suited to a person’s sense of identity. And without familiar rhythms, motivation fades. What looks like refusal is often grief, exhaustion or fear.

But here’s the hopeful part: there are gentler, more human ways to support this transition.

Alternative, person‑centred approaches can ease the emotional shock of moving in. Tailored practices meet residents exactly where they are mentally, physically, emotionally and socially. Gentle rituals, grounding techniques and soulful conversation help them feel safe enough to open up. Creative expression gives them a voice when words are hard. Trust grows naturally, and with trust comes confidence, connection and engagement.

This kind of support doesn’t just help residents participate in activities, it helps them rebuild a sense of self. It strengthens communication with staff, supports care planning, and opens the door to new friendships. Even a month of the right approach can transform how a resident feels, behaves and belongs.

Integration isn’t just a process.

It’s a human journey, and with the right support, it can become a softer, more hopeful beginning.