How To Choose An Alzheimer's Care Facility

Article submitted by Ben Pearce, President of Potomac Homes.
For more information, he can be reached at 800-935-9898, or by e-mail: bwpearce@optonline.net.

Selecting an Alzheimer's Care Facility for you or for a loved one involves many choices and decisions, but especially difficult are those decisions involving a loved one who has Alzheimer's. Yet, planning ahead is a good idea. Evaluating your options before things become unmanageable can allow you to make informed choices, rather than waiting until a crisis may dictate your actions.

While there is no one way to care for a loved one with Alzheimer's, the good news is that there is care available at every level and budget.

When it comes to housing options there are several that work for those in various stages of Alzheimer's:

Assisted Living/Group Homes: Many Assisted Living providers have a separate locked section where their dementia residents reside apart from the main community. There are also providers who specialize in Alzheimer care in specialty designed residential environments where residents can receive more individualized care. These homes may feature as few as 15 units rather than 25 or even up to 60 units and typically have an all inclusive rate structure.
Skilled Care or Nursing Homes are needed when your loved one is dependent on 24 hour care.
Hospice Care is an alternative to nursing home care that is often overlooked for those in late stages of this disease. These patients typically access this care from their own home or within a skill nursing setting. Hospice care emphasizes dignity and comfort measures while providing necessary skilled care.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) offer a range of options in housing and skilled care services from independent to assisted living to 24 hour skilled care. The drawback here, is the large upfront expense.

What To Look For:
While you are at any facility, observe the appearance of it. Is it inviting and well kept? Are special needs like those of the physically challenged met at the front of the building? It's also important to find out who owns the community, whether it's a national corporation or a smaller, family-owned operation. Both types have their unique features, and many people are more comfortable with one than the other. Another important question is whether the community is strictly a senior apartment complex, or an organization with individual support services providing specialized dementia care.

Interview the staff
Once you've selected a potential Alzheimer's care facility, call and arrange for an appointment to meet the marketing manager to tour the community. The marketing manager will answer many of your questions related to services, apartment layout and rates. You should also be able to get price lists and brochures during the interview that will help you select the right community for your needs. You may also want meet with the Executive Director or General Manager.

Tour the facility
During the tour, ask about the experience of the staff members, what kinds of educational credentials they have, etc. A tour of each facility you're considering will reveal the types and sizes of the living quarters, whether they are studios, or apartments. Look for safety features, emergency response equipment and handicap accessibility. The upkeep, cleanliness, and maintenance of the property should be noted during the tour. Talk to the employees. Is the atmosphere friendly and relaxed? How long have the caregivers been in their jobs? Staff longevity translates directly to management effectiveness and ultimately to quality of care. Facilities with frequent staff turnover do not allow employees to become familiar with the residents. Conversely, long-term employees who know the residents well can recognize small but important changes in residents' condition, much the same way a mother recognizes when her own child may not be feeling well. Sometimes even subtle changes can lead to something more serious if they are not caught in time.

Services, amenities and levels of care
When selecting an Alzheimer's Care Facility, it is important to inquire about services, amenities and levels of care. What services are included in the basic rental agreement, and do some services add an additional cost? Also ask about amenities such as meals, housekeeping, telephone, cable television, transportation, social activities and laundry/linen service. Are these amenities included in basic costs? Many families are surprised when they see their monthly bills increase dramatically due to add-ins for additional services.

The community's recreational and social activity program should be considered when making a choice of senior living communities. There should be a social or activities calendar available for you to look over. A well-rounded activity schedule should include cultural entertainment, physical activities and mentally stimulating activities. Activities should be presented in a manner, which allows a resident to be as active or inactive as he or she wishes. Residents should be assessed upon admission to determine what leisure interests they have and can still do. Quality programs for Alzheimer residents feature both group and individual activities that are "failure-free" and build confidence. Avoid facilities that seem crowded and force all residents into a unilateral program.

Quick Tips

Speaking with the marketing manager may be extremely beneficial for gathering information about the community's history, credentials, and ownership experience.
Twenty-four hour security should be provided at senior living communities, since safety and security are a top priority.
Ask if the community is a buy-in or lease arrangement, the price of residency, refund policy, hidden fees, and any other crucial information you may need. Ask if you can expect increases in the fees as the level of care increases.
Ask if physicians and physical therapists visit the home so that residents can avoid the stress of office visits.
Ask about discharge conditions. Many Alzheimer facilities do not allow wheelchairs or will discharge residents who may become behaviorally aggressive due to untrained employees inability to handle these common issues.