How to select a Facility for an alzheimer's patient
There may come a time when it becomes impossible for the Alzheimer patient to be cared for in the home. Home care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease may not work if he or she cooks unsafely, smokes unsafely, or tends to wander. In such cases, the family may be forced to hire 24-hour supervision, or provide it themselves. And even if this is affordable, it may not be the best choice for all concerned.
One of the most difficult decisions that families must make is when and where to place their loved one. It’s important that everyone is involved in the decision making process and that the Alzheimer patient is at the core of the final decision.
When a person is first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease there are many things that the family needs to take into consideration, the most important being “care giving”. Families often find it difficult to find the right type of facility for the Alzheimer patient.
The next least-restrictive setting may be an assisted living facility with some private-duty care. If a person’s cognitive function and self-care ability has declined to where he or she requires more supervision, a rest home or specialized dementia-care facility may work-still less restrictive (and less expensive) than a nursing home, but possibly safer and often less costly than 24-hour home care. And community programs may also subsidize all of these options for income- and asset-eligible patients. If the disease has progressed and the person requires a greater degree of care then other options must be considered based on specific needs of the person.
Today, there are many residential choices for people with Alzheimer’s disease, the appropriateness of which is first determined by safety concerns. Safety is first measured by actual physical risk for injury and by behavioral and emotional stability second. These risks are reduced by incrementally higher levels of supervision, personal care assistance, and restrictions on freedom of movement.
Some of the questions that families need to ask themselves before they place their loved on into a care facility include (1) is the facility only for Alzheimer patients or is there a specific Alzheimer unit available, (2) is there are medical director who has been trained to treat patients with Alzheimer Disease, (3) what type of programs are available for Alzheimer patients, (4) does the facility have a positive atmosphere, (5) are their daily activities for the residents to enjoy. The important point to remember when looking for a care facility is that bottom line is that it’s all about the person who has Alzheimer Disease.
The stage of the disease and the behavior management issues makes planning for Alzheimer’s care particularly difficult. . But at the end stage of the illness, behavior management may become less of a challenge than basic personal care and intermittent nursing services. Planning for a care facility must anticipate a sequence of living arrangements that may, ultimately, result in a return to the home. Many Alzheimer’s patients become home care patients once again, for the final stage of the illness.
The more knowledge one has about the nature and course of Alzheimer’s disease, the better. Combining knowledge with the basics of long-term care planning greatly increases the likelihood that a loved one will receive the best care available and that s family’s journey will be as smooth as possible.
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Wray R. Herring
alzheimerslearningctr.com
Wray has first hand knowledge and experience in caring for
some one with Alzheimers.
For Additional information and products click on alzheimerslearningctr.com
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