Selecting an Alzheimer"s Care Home
For many Alzheimer's patients, living in an assisted care home is the best arrangement for their well being.
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, patients tend to require more care and assistance for daily activities.
Selecting an appropriate home for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease may seem like a daunting responsibility at first glance, but the process of finding the right home becomes much simpler when you know what to look for.
Though there are a number of general elder care facilities, here we discuss some dynamics which are specific to Alzheimer's care facilities.
Specialized homes for dementia and Alzheimer's patients employ caretakers who are familiar with the effects of dementia and experienced in working with Alzheimer's patients.
Such homes may also incorporate specific design elements, activities and environments which accommodate the unique needs of Alzheimer's patients.
In general, homes with fewer residents tend to feel more like home and allow for the most individualized care and support for residents.
First, it is important to note that different homes may be designed for patients in different stages of Alzheimer's disease.
Some may only accept patients in the early to moderate stages of the disease, for instance.
When speaking to the staff at a home, ensure that the level of care provided corresponds with the needs of your loved one.
Bring with you a list of questions and concerns that you may have, and take note of the overall impression you receive from different facilities.
Below are some considerations you may wish to address with the Alzheimer's care homes you visit: -What is the staff to resident ratio? This number can vary based on the level of assistance required by the residents, but can give you an idea of the amount of attention your loved one may have access to if necessary.
-What, if any, ongoing training does the staff receive related to your loved one's situation? -Are any construction and aesthetic elements of the home designed specifically to cater to the unique needs of Alzheimer's patients? -Does the facility have procedures in place for handling adverse incidents? Will a staff member inform you if an incident involving your loved one occurs? -What activities are available for patients' enjoyment, and how do such activities contribute to the well being of Alzheimer's patients? -Can you visit your loved one at any time, or are there restricted visitation hours? Can your loved one leave the premises with you or other family members for an outing? The considerations and questions herein are not meant to be all-inclusive, and you will likely develop many more on your own.
When comparing among Alzheimer's care homes, ask specific questions but also pay attention to what your instincts tell you about the environment, the staff, and the current residents at each facility.
When you compare a few options, one home will likely stand out in your mind.
Ask the right questions and pay attention to your intuition, and the residence that will make the best home for your loved one will present itself naturally.
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, patients tend to require more care and assistance for daily activities.
Selecting an appropriate home for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease may seem like a daunting responsibility at first glance, but the process of finding the right home becomes much simpler when you know what to look for.
Though there are a number of general elder care facilities, here we discuss some dynamics which are specific to Alzheimer's care facilities.
Specialized homes for dementia and Alzheimer's patients employ caretakers who are familiar with the effects of dementia and experienced in working with Alzheimer's patients.
Such homes may also incorporate specific design elements, activities and environments which accommodate the unique needs of Alzheimer's patients.
In general, homes with fewer residents tend to feel more like home and allow for the most individualized care and support for residents.
First, it is important to note that different homes may be designed for patients in different stages of Alzheimer's disease.
Some may only accept patients in the early to moderate stages of the disease, for instance.
When speaking to the staff at a home, ensure that the level of care provided corresponds with the needs of your loved one.
Bring with you a list of questions and concerns that you may have, and take note of the overall impression you receive from different facilities.
Below are some considerations you may wish to address with the Alzheimer's care homes you visit: -What is the staff to resident ratio? This number can vary based on the level of assistance required by the residents, but can give you an idea of the amount of attention your loved one may have access to if necessary.
-What, if any, ongoing training does the staff receive related to your loved one's situation? -Are any construction and aesthetic elements of the home designed specifically to cater to the unique needs of Alzheimer's patients? -Does the facility have procedures in place for handling adverse incidents? Will a staff member inform you if an incident involving your loved one occurs? -What activities are available for patients' enjoyment, and how do such activities contribute to the well being of Alzheimer's patients? -Can you visit your loved one at any time, or are there restricted visitation hours? Can your loved one leave the premises with you or other family members for an outing? The considerations and questions herein are not meant to be all-inclusive, and you will likely develop many more on your own.
When comparing among Alzheimer's care homes, ask specific questions but also pay attention to what your instincts tell you about the environment, the staff, and the current residents at each facility.
When you compare a few options, one home will likely stand out in your mind.
Ask the right questions and pay attention to your intuition, and the residence that will make the best home for your loved one will present itself naturally.
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