First you get the devastating news that your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease. Then you struggle to cope as your parent gradually loses the ability to perform daily living functions. Years of caretaking can cause declining health for the primary caregiver and conflict among family members. Finally you decide to place your parent in a dementia care community; now you face a whole new set of stressors as you seek the right community.
The only good news in this heartbreaking situation is that today’s dementia care communities are much better than what existed just thirty years ago. The old model of the cold clinical institution has given way to person-centered” dementia care. This model utilizes highly-trained staff who deliver a more holistic style of care to create a supportive and failure-free resident environment. Such communities often have success in reducing the use of behavior-related medications. Here are eight things to look for in a dementia care community.
1. Staffing skill level
Staff in a person-centered community regularly attend intensive training programs on dementia care and frequently meet to discuss each resident’s care needs. Ask about specialized dementia training programs, turnover rates, average employment length at that community and what background checks are performed. Spend time watching staff interact with residents and talk with them yourself. The Alzheimer’s Association recommends that you ask for recent state inspection results and compare any deficiencies/citations to your state’s average.
2. Security
A person-centered dementia care community provides a safe and secure setting. Make sure around- the-clock staffing is a care standard; check that the community is secured with locks, cameras, password gate entries and other modern security solutions.
3. Clean home-like setting
Modern dementia care communities are clean, warm and homey and are purpose-built for dementia sufferers. The person-centered care community enables residents to personalize their room with family photos, pillows, favorite quilts or stuffed animals – it will not look and feel like an institution.
4. Family accessibility
Family members should have unlimited access to the dementia care community. To verify this, drop in at unexpected and unannounced times to evaluate what is happening with your loved one. Make sure that families are encouraged and welcomed in care planning and are notified of changes in the resident’s condition, medication or care needs. Seek a community that creates a customized plan for your loved one and involves you in that planning process.
5. Respect and dignity are priorities
The guiding principle behind person-centered care is that your loved one is an individual with unique perspectives and life experiences who is supported, valued and respected. Some communities call it a “failure-free” resident model. This approach is superior to old models that focused on control techniques such as medicating, corrected “wrong” behaviors and placed little value on the dignity and privacy of each resident.
6. Stimulating activities
Find a community that understands the background of each resident and incorporates important events or abilities into your loved one’s activities. This might include acknowledging military veterans or making certain holidays a priority. Look for a community offering stimulating activities such as sing-alongs, drawing/painting or therapy pet visits.
7. Holistic care approach
Research shows that a person-centered holistic community reduces the need for medical dementia care and control. Look for a community that focuses instead on friendship, personal care and customized activities.
8. Customized nutrition
Make sure the nutritional plan is appropriate for your loved one’s needs for appropriate calories, nutrients and food choices. One size does not fit all in a good person-centered dementia care community.
What things are important to you as you manage the care of an aging parent? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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