TO DO’S

Identify homes that are geographically located close where you want the resident to live.

Call each home and ask if there is availability.

The ones that have openings, take a copy of this list and ‘show up’ for a visit.

When you arrive, ask to walk around immediately.

Look in each room, bedroom, bathroom and around the facility.

Look at the residents. Talk to the residents. Ask if they like it there.

Then sit down with this list, (one page of questions for each facility).

Ask the questions and write down the answers as you get them.

QUESTIONS TO ASK

How long has this facility been open?

Are you licensed?
May I see a copy of the license?
How many beds are there?
How many beds are available now?
How many staff are there?
How many staff are there from 6AM to 6PM each day?
Is there awake staff at night?
Does the home specialize in the disease that your parent suffers from (dementia, stroke, etc.)?
Is there a special care for Alzheimer’s or dementia?
What is the daily routine?
What activities are there daily?
What are the visiting hours?
Can residents bring personal items and furniture?
What common areas are there inside? Outside?
When are mealtimes?
Can I get a copy of the menu?
What was served yesterday for Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?
Where is the food prepared?
Are snacks provided between meals?
What kind of snacks?
How often do you shop for food?
If my loved one doesn’t want what is served, what is provided?
Who controls the medications?
Do you use med logs or a MAR record for each resident?
Who orders the medications?
If a resident is given the wrong medication, what do you do?
Do doctors come to the home?
When was the last doctor visit to the home?
Can residents continue to see their personal doctors?
In a medical emergency, who do you call for help?
Are paramedics available to come to the home in an emergency?
When was the last time they were called?
Can I get their phone number? (You want to visit them and ask about the home)
Do you do hospice care?
Is the charge the same?
If more, why – hospice is paid for by Medicare, what do you charge more for?
Can I get a list of people who have placed here to call for recommendation?
What is the cost per month?
What is your refund policy?
Do you charge extra for anything?
How often do you change your rates?
If my loved one dies there, do you refund the balance of money?
Does the facility have any complaints or lawsuits filed against it?
What is the complaint?
May I talk to one of your staff in private? If yes, ask the staff member about the facility and the owner.

Good luck … happy hunting.

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The trained caregiver is fully aware of what is happening:

– repetitive questions of the same wording;

– confusion about time and place orientation – “where am I?”

– requests for something has just happened – to do it again – and again;

– wanting to talk to folks from their past who are no longer around; and,

– with little comprehension that they have a loss of memory.

The best ways to address this are:

– stop what you’re doing and listen to the resident;

– if it can be, address the need or request;

– redirect by suggestion, often to ‘go’ or to ‘eat’ –

“Let’s go up to the den and check on those folks up there.”

“Did you get any of that cheescake – it was good – let’s go get some.”

“Let’s talk about Bob, when was the last time you saw him.”

The most important aspect of Memory Care is to have empathy with what is happening and take the time and patience to pay attention to and address this person who is simply trying to communicate, confused as they may be.

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Reality: As people age, it’s normal to have occasional memory problems, such as forgetting the name of a person you’ve recently met. However, Alzheimer’s is more than occasional memory loss. It’s a disease that causes brain cells to malfunction and ultimately die. When this happens, an individual may forget the name of a longtime friend or what roads to take to return to a home they’ve lived in for decades.

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*Be unable to speak more than a half dozen words
*Need help walking and later be unable to sit up, smile, or hold up your head
*Have trouble controlling your bowels or bladder
*Wander and get lost
*Know familiar faces but have trouble remembering their names
*Have more personality changes
*Have habits like wringing your hands or shredding tissues

The post Severe Alzheimer’s appeared first on Lakeside Manor.

*Not always know family and friends
*Lose track of the day of the week or where you are
*Forget details in your life, like your address, phone number, or where you went to high school or college
*Have trouble putting clothes on in the right order or picking the right clothes
*Jumble words
*Have poor judgment about your health, finances, or safety
*See or hear things that aren’t there
*Suspect people of lying, cheating, or stealing from you
*Be depressed or anxious
*Become angry or violent

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You may find that you:

*Forget where you put everyday things
*Get lost
*Have trouble with complex tasks, like paying bills or planning a party
*Have trouble coming up with the right words sometimes
*Feel less social or moody

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Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer’s live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.

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* Harriette and Roland have been married for 68 years, and have no children together.

* Claire was once a nurse, on her free time she enjoyed exercising and spending quality time with her family.

*Ann was a kindergarten teacher who loves to dance and sing. She has one son, Curt who means the world to her.

*Allen retired from the U.S Navy, one of his favorite things to do was travel the world and spend time with his wife.

      Reminiscing is a great way for all seniors, especially those affected by Alzheimer’s disease, to recall memories from their distant past. You can reminisce in an informal way through storytelling, questions and answers or triggering the story by starting it yourself and letting your senior loved one finish it in whatever way he or she remembers it. Whether you reminisce in a very casual way or in a more formal way to retain the memories for the future, the effects can be very beneficial for your senior. Often times, elders feel isolated from their identity as they age. Being able to relive and relate their life stories can give them a sense of purpose and self-worth. It can help them relieve boredom and also gain a feeling of companionship with the person that is interested enough in them to listen to their life stories.

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