| What They Are | | | | also your loved one's personal preferences, which |
| Alzheimer's care facilities are live-in facilities that | | | | may become more limited in moderate to later |
| provide care for individuals with dementia who cannot | | | | stages of Alzheimer's. |
| live independently. Both nursing homes and assisted | | | | * Planned Schedule. Individuals with dementia do |
| living facilities can provide residential care for | | | | better with a regulated schedule as such ask the |
| Alzheimer's patients; however, the term Alzheimer's | | | | administration about what the everyday routine is. |
| care facility typically is used to describe assisted living | | | | * Common Areas. Common areas should be free |
| residences. | | | | from clutter as dementia patients often have trouble |
| Sometimes Alzheimer's care facilities are a part of a | | | | seeing low-lying objects, such as coffee tables, or |
| larger assisted living community which also serves | | | | distinguishing objects from one another. Many good |
| seniors who do not have dementia, but require some | | | | Alzheimer's care facilities have special areas, such as |
| type of personal care or help. These types of | | | | one for reminiscence, a quiet room or sometimes |
| facilities tend to have a separate dementia unit | | | | even a Snoezelen. A reminiscence area may have |
| although dementia patients may socialize and interact | | | | childhood toys or dolls, sports memorabilia or other |
| with other residents during activities. Some assisted | | | | items that help bring up memories and can aid in |
| living facilities provide only for mild dementia care and | | | | helping dementia patients talk about their lives, |
| require residents to move should their dementia | | | | especially with visiting family members. Quiet rooms |
| become more pronounced. Make sure your loved one | | | | are places that often have low lighting and virtually |
| is thoroughly assessed before looking into Alzheimer's | | | | no stimuli and can aid agitated dementia patients. A |
| care units so you know exactly what kind of care | | | | Snoezelen is a room with specialized lighting, tactile |
| your loved one needs now-and what level of care | | | | surfaces, calming music and sometimes pleasant |
| they will most likely require in the future. Ensure that | | | | odors; it works to stimulate the five sense and can |
| your loved one isn't forced to move out of | | | | be soothing for some dementia patients. |
| community by asking questions as to what kind of | | | | * Decor. Lighting should be bright, even and warm. |
| care is available and under what circumstances a | | | | Carpeting, drapery and furnishings should not have |
| person would be asked to leave the community. | | | | busy patterns as it can be mistaken for insects or |
| What to Expect | | | | other objects. Resident's rooms should be clearly |
| Alzheimer's care facilities provide room and board, | | | | marked and it is a good sign when the resident's |
| some housekeeping, social activities, supervision and | | | | artwork and family photos adorn the walls to |
| assistance with basic activities like personal hygiene, | | | | personalize each room. Kitchens should not have |
| dressing, eating and walking. A facility that specializes | | | | microwaves or access to anything with which a |
| in Alzheimer's or dementia care should also have | | | | person might hurt themselves such as knives, |
| safety precautions in place to prevent wandering, | | | | scissors or exposed burners. All taps should have |
| such as personal monitoring systems or locked | | | | well-marked hot water handles so that individuals do |
| dementia units. Caregivers should be trained in | | | | not accidentally burn themselves. |
| handling behaviors associated with dementia, such as | | | | * Secure Outdoors Areas. Individuals with Alzheimer's |
| Sundowner's syndrome or combativeness. | | | | often benefit from spending time outdoors; however, |
| Facility staff either provides or arranges | | | | any patio or garden areas must be secured or |
| transportation for residents. Most facilities offer three | | | | fenced so as to keep residents safe. Some facilities |
| meals per day, as well as snacks in between meals. | | | | even have special gardening areas or greenhouses |
| These facilities are considered nonmedical facilities and | | | | which can be a very rewarding activity. |
| are not required to have nurses, certified nursing | | | | A facility's licenses and insurance documentation |
| assistants or doctors on staff, although many | | | | should be up to date and accurate. Check references |
| facilities do have medical staff either onsite or on call. | | | | from families who have had loved ones with similar |
| Medications are usually stored and distributed to | | | | diagnoses as your family member in order to |
| residents so that the dosage and timing is monitored. | | | | measure actual experiences. Review the patient's and |
| How to Find the Facility That is Right for You | | | | their families' rights to determine how any concerns |
| Facilities should be evaluated to ensure that the | | | | that may arise will be handled. |
| needs of the patient and family are met and | | | | Try to determine the overall "feel" of the facility and |
| exceeded. It is often vital for all parties involved to | | | | notice if it is generally calm and organized. The best |
| have the facility located near family members in | | | | facilities encourage family participation and strive to |
| order to allow for regular visits. Before making any | | | | maintain the dignity and safety of those entrusted to |
| decisions, prospective facilities should be toured and | | | | their care. You should also take note of what the |
| evaluated for: | | | | average cognitive levels of the population is and what |
| * Care Capabilities. Figure out if the facility can | | | | the protocol is in place for patients should their |
| manage your loved one's condition both now and in | | | | dementia becoming progressively worse. Find |
| the future. | | | | Alzheimer's care facilities in your area and also check |
| * Safety. Rooms and bathrooms should have | | | | out our Assisted Living & Alzheimer's Care |
| emergency call systems. Staff should perform | | | | Facilities Learning Center to learn more about finding |
| in-room checks on a regular basis. To prevent | | | | dementia care in your area. |
| wandering, Wanderguard or other personal monitoring | | | | Paying for Alzheimer's Care Facilities |
| systems should be used or the dementia area should | | | | Medicare, Medigap and Managed Care do not cover |
| be secured. | | | | care in Alzheimer's care facilities. In some states, |
| * Cleanliness. Take a look at residents to determine | | | | Medicaid will pay for Alzheimer's facilities; however, |
| the level of personal attention and care they are | | | | very few facilities accept Medicaid as reimbursement. |
| receiving-are they well-groomed and clean? | | | | Long-term care insurance policies (LTCI) and |
| * Staff Attentiveness and Expertise. Make certain | | | | Veterans Benefits sometimes can cover the cost of |
| staff has specialized dementia training on top of being | | | | Alzheimer's care facilities. Most Alzheimer's care |
| good care providers. This means caregivers | | | | facilities are private pay. Read a detailed description |
| understand the disease and how to communicate | | | | of all types of reimbursements. |
| with individuals who are not always able to express | | | | LTCI |
| themselves. They should know how to manage | | | | What It Covers |
| combativeness, recognize signs of pain and be able | | | | Facility Only and Comprehensive policies pay benefits |
| to create solutions for the challenges often | | | | in an Alzheimer's care facility, but the amount of |
| associated with eating, bathing or toileting in dementia | | | | coverage depends on the individual policy. For |
| patients. | | | | information on how to determine what kind of LTCI |
| * Plans of Treatment. Ask management how often | | | | policy suits your needs, visit Duane Lipham's Expert |
| care plans are re-assessed. It should be on an | | | | Column on LTCI. |
| as-needed basis and every few months. | | | | Veterans Benefits |
| * Activities. Check not only the amount of available | | | | What It Covers |
| activities, but also how appropriate they are for your | | | | Veterans Benefits refers to care in an Alzheimer's |
| loved one's cognitive abilities. Usually dementia | | | | facility as Community Residential Care. The program |
| programming mimics everyday activities, such as | | | | provides health care supervision to eligible veterans |
| having a dementia-safe kitchen for cooking activities, | | | | who are unable to live independently and do not have |
| has time set aside for art projects or reminiscence | | | | anyone to provide the required supervision and care. |
| and incorporates some basic exercising. | | | | The veteran must be able to function with minimal |
| * Menu Options. Keep in mind nutritional needs and | | | | assistance. |