Alzheimer’s: Receiving Care Outside the Home
Nancy's Counseling Corner
We all want to do best for our loved ones with Alzheimer's. Many times that includes having the discussion of placing a spouse or parent in a long-term care facility as opposed to receiving home care. But when do we know when it's the right time? And how do we know we've chosen the right place?
Seven Signs Your Loved One Needs Outside Care
- Having hallucinations, paranoia and delusions
- Reacting catastrophically and having frequent emotional outbursts
- Experiencing altered vision perception
- Needing assistance with all ADL (Activities of Daily Living), which includes bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming and eating
- Losing all language
- Losing gross motor skills
- Having swallowing difficulties
Caregivers need to place their loved ones in a facility that cares specifically to patients with Alzheimer's where there will extensive supervision and monitoring. This facility should best meet your loved one's needs since someone with Alzheimer's needs more specific care than an elderly person who has physical limitations.
What to look for in an Alzheimer's facility
- Physical space: the facility should be roomy so your loved one to be able to move about, yet it should be also safe. An ideal facility would have a circular design with an inner courtyard with greenery and it should not have locked doors, dead ends or intersecting corridors.
- Consider Other Residents: Does the facility have separate unit for Alzheimer's patients or does it only admit Alzheimer's patients? The better choice for your loved one may be the one that is only for those with Alzheimer's because the staff will be well-trained for nighttime wandering and there will likely be support groups and education onsite. However, if you have a good feel for a facility that mixes patients with Alzheimer's patients, then be sure the staff using closed circuit monitors or has other security systems in place such as wristbands or sensors.
- The Staff: Arrange a visit at varied times of the day and at night to observe how the staff interacts with the residents. Be sure to visit during meal times and see if the residents are happy and if the staff helps residents in the dining room. Are they respectful with the residents or do they treat them like children? Are they warm and try to accommodate or are they cold and abrupt? Also note that if a patient becomes unruly, how does the staff react?
If you are faced with the prospect of placing your spouse or parent with Alzheimer's in the long-term care facility it is never an easy decision. Be sure you choose your facility wisely so you feel good that your loved one is being treated with respect and is being given more supervision and more frequent care than you could personally provide. And finally, be sure you reassure your loved one that you'll be visiting them on a regular basis-frequent visits will both help you and your loved one stay comfortable and connected.
Resources:
Alzheimer's Association
225 N. Michigan Ave. Fl. 17
Chicago, IL 60601-7633
1-800-272-3900
www.alz.org
info@alz.org
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center
P.O. Box 8250
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250
1-800-438-4380
http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/AlzheimersInformation/AboutUs.htm
Article submitted Sunday, January 24, 2010 & read 81 times.
Nancy Travers, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializes in all types of relationships; dating, existing relationships, family relationships, and relationships with friends and business relationships. She also helps her clients overcome anxiety and depression through talk therapy as well as through hypnosis. What sets her apart from many other counselors is that she has counseled in the gay/lesbian community for over 10 years. She also has experience counseling families with elder care issues. Nancy has been in practice for over 19 years and can provide you with the tools you need to approach dating and relationships with confidence.
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