Understanding Alzheimer's Care

While traditional types of elder care are appropriate for those with mild memory impairments, there are special Alzheimer's care facilities designed to accommodate seniors suffering from the more advanced stages of this disease. Memory care communities or assisted living facilities with Alzheimer's Special Care Units (SCUs) are two options that offer more supervision and assistance than traditional types of elder care.

Seniors in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease will typically do well in an assisted living facility or with in-home care. However, these arrangements are usually only short-term. Age-related memory impairments, such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia, are degenerative, so having a long-term plan in place will save time, heartache and stress down the road when the disease progresses.

What Alzheimer's Care Entails 

Seniors with age-related memory impairments need balance and structure in their lives. From the care facility's design to meal times and activities, everything seniors require in an Alzheimer's care residence should fit these needs. Especially in the early stages of the disease, residents are anxious and frustrated when they can't do something right or if their routine is off kilter. 

Administering Care to an Alzheimer's Patient

Here are some basic tips caregivers and family members should keep in mind when caring for a person with Alzheimer's disease or other severe memory impairment:

• Establish a routine: Making a schedule of the senior's day makes life less confusing. Schedule more strenuous tasks such as bathing, medical appointments or exercises during the time of day when he or she is most calm.
• Exhibit patience: Simple tasks such as putting on shoes or brushing hair may take a little longer to do now. As a caregiver, you need to allow time for the resident to do these things and not rush him or her.
• Restrict choices: Limit options to at few as possible. For instance, two choices for drinks at a meal or two sweaters to choose from when dressing.
• Provide basic directions: Don't complicate situations by giving more than one step at a time to complete an activity or task.
• Be flexible: A seniors needs and wants may vary from day-to-day. Adapt his or her routine as necessary to accommodate these changes.

Basic Structure of an Alzheimer's Care Facility 

Memory care communities or conventional assisted living facilities with Alzheimer SCUs both have medical and non-medical staff trained to work with residents who have severe memory impairments. Memory care centers offer programs, support services and activities typically not found in other types of senior housing. The dwellings are larger but have securely enclosed areas both indoors and out.

Assisted living SCUs are wings or sections of typical assisted living facilities designed specifically for elderly persons with memory impairments. Depending on the facility, the residents may or may not integrate with the rest of the residents in the facility.

Alzheimer's patients typically need help in one or more of the following areas:

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Meal preparation
• Medication disbursement
• Housekeeping
• Laundry
• Shopping
• Healthcare or financial decisions
• Puzzles or other games/activities

 

Both elder  care options typically include:

• Lower noise levels
• Softer lighting
• Locator signs and images or graphics identifying items such as restrooms or sinks
• 24/7 supervision
• Low staff-to-resident ratios
• Open and unique floor plans
• Therapeutic devices and activities designed to help memory-impaired persons

The bottom line is finding an Alzheimer's care facility that specializes in this type of care. Don't be fooled by facilities that claim to help all seniors regardless of their age, disability or impairment. Most importantly, visit several Alzheimer care facilities to see how the residents live.