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The
Alzheimer's residence occupies a specialized niche somewhere
between assisted living and a nursing home. Alzheimer's/
Dementia care can be offered in a
stand-alone building or as a specialized unit within a larger
residence - either assisted living or skilled nursing.
Alzheimer's Disease causes
dementia, but not all dementia is caused by Alzheimer's Disease.
But when it comes to care, the terms are often used
interchangeably. You'll often hear of "Alzheimer's or
related dementia" care.
Whatever it's called, it's
important to know that in many states there is no specific
licensing requirement for a place to be able to call itself an
"Alzheimer's Unit" or "Alzheimer's
Residence." So it's important that you know what to look
for in an Alzheimer's residence. It will be pretty much up to
you to decide whether a particular place can provide the care
and mental stimulation that your individual loved one needs.
Many people with Alzheimer's or
another dementia need the same kind of assistance with daily
activities that other residents of an assisted living facility
might need. If the dementia is in the early stages, and the
Alzheimer's patient is able to manage in her own apartment with
occasional reminders or help, then a regular assisted living
residence will probably work, at least for a while.
If your loved one needs
constant supervision and help, or if you're worried that she
might wander out an unlocked door, then the more structured
secure Alzheimer's unit may be more appropriate.
Depending on the needs of your
loved one with dementia, you'll be looking at either a nursing
or an assisted living facility. Many of the features and things
you will be asking about are the same as they would be in a
non-dementia residence:
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If
it is part of a larger facility, is it physically
separate so that dementia residents and mainstream
residents have minimal interaction? Severely confused
and alert residents don't have the same needs. |
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How
large is the hall or wing? Residents with dementia do
better in small, self-contained units. |
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What
floor is the unit on? Residents with
Alzheimer's/dementia are at great risk for falls or
confusion if they have to negotiate stairways or
elevators. And, if it's on an upper floor, residents
will probably only be going outdoors in groups, if at
all. |
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Is
every area, including the grounds, secured to prevent a
resident from wandering? |
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Can
all of the the secure outdoor area be observed easily
from inside the building? |
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Are
the hallways long and narrow? Alzheimer's/dementia
sufferers often want to wander. Dead ends are
frustrating and can lead to upset. The least stressful
arrangement for a wanderer seems to be circular. |
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Is
the ratio of staff to resident one to five or one to
four? |
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What
special services are provided for these residents? |
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What
items or services are not included in the base rate? |
Moving someone with dementia
from one place to another is rarely easy. Often confusion gets
worse with every move, so you want to choose the best possible
residence the first time out. Looks can be deceiving - don't
fall prey to what I call the "chandelier syndrome."
The most beautifully appointed residence may have trouble
keeping staff, a history of medication errors and a policy of
kicking residents out when they become harder to care for.
Finding out that you have made the wrong choice after your loved
one moves in can be devastating for everyone.
The best thing you can do for
yourself and your dementia patient is to read up on assisted
living before you make a commitment. The best place to start is
with the information on this website and a copy of
The
Insider's Guide To Assisted Living.
This may be the time when it's
no longer cost-effective or sensible to try to do it all
yourself. A short consultation with an expert in dementia - one
who has spent a lot of time in the facilities in your area -
will probably save you considerable time, heartache and expense
in the long run. A professional has seen the good, the bad, and
the wonderful and knows how to match your elder's needs with the
variety of options out there. Call (972) 395-7823 or email
me anytime for help with finding a dementia residence in the
Dallas area.
If you choose to use the
Internet or a free referral service to research your options
keep in mind that "advisors" who charge you no fee are
being paid by the facilities they are directing you to. The
choices they present will only be those facilities paying them a
referral fee. There is nothing illegal or immoral about this, so
long as they tell you up front how they are earning their living
and what specialized education or training their advisors have.
A licensed professional will
not accept a referral fee from any residence, so you can be
assured that the recommendations you receive are not based on
how much your advisor will earn from sending you there.
After you've chosen what looks
like the right Alzheimer's residence and the person with
dementia has moved in, stay involved. Visit as regularly as you
can. Talk with the staff about the things that are or aren't
working. Attend care planning meetings where all of the members
of the care team exchange observations. If there is a family
council, go. And above all, continue to monitor and evaluate the
care your loved one is receiving.
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