When is a nursing home appropriate for the Alzheimer's patient?Written by William G. Hammond, JD
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·Is there any government or other programs available that may help covering costs? ·What happens if funds are used up and full payments can no longer be made. Does facility accept Medicaid? You want as well to have a good knowledge of environment and type of healthcare your loved one is going to receive: ·What type of healthcare and personal care are available? Do they have routine exams available, like vision and dental? ·What is qualification of staff members? ·Is staff available to assist residents who experience memory loss or disorientation, and how do they handle it? ·Does staff take care of doctor’s appointments? Do they drive them over there and wait for them? There is one more thing to consider when deciding if nursing home is appropriate for your loved one with Alzheimer’s. Will he/she be happier than at home? Many people do quite well in nursing homes. Once your loved one enters nursing home, he/she can still leave for short trips to sleep over at family and friends. If he/she is unhappy, a transfer to another facility or a return home with assisted living may be an option. You may also doubt how beneficial a dementia care unit can be for your loved one who has Alzheimer’s. If dementia unit is developed and staffed correctly, it can be very valuable. The idea of a dementia care unit is to provide specialized care. This includes staff training specifically for dementia, smaller units to ease feelings of being overwhelmed, a quieter environment to prevent over-stimulation, and a locked unit safe for wandering and pacing. Wandering and pacing are symptoms that most Alzheimer’s patients experience. Instead of trying to stop them from this behavior, dementia units let them continue it in safe surroundings. Most facilities for Alzheimer’s care have their own activity director and many times direct care staff are also trained to participate in activities with residents with dementia. To obtain more information on facilities in your area that offer dementia care units for Alzheimer’s patients, contact your state’s Department on Aging. William G. Hammond, JD is a nationally known elder law attorney and founder of The Alzheimer’s Resource Center. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and has developed innovative solutions to guide families who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s. For more information you can visit his website at www.BeatAlzheimers.com
William G. Hammond, JD is a nationally known elder law attorney and founder of The Alzheimer’s Resource Center. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and has developed innovative solutions to guide families who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s. For more information you can visit his website at www.BeatAlzheimers.com
| | How to cope with agitation in your loved one who has Alzheimer’sWritten by William G. Hammond, JD
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·Ask one question at a time. ·Eliminate background noise. ·Give plenty of time to respond. ·If he/she cannot find words, sometimes it helps if you finish sentence. ·Repeat information when needed – repetition is good. ·Frequently affirm/praise him/her, even for smallest things, i.e. “Good job,” “Thank you,” “You’re best!” ·Validate feelings. ·Use touch. Touch shoulder, knee, back, hand. ·Give hugs many times a day. ·Don’t argue – you’ll never win. ·Laugh together. ·If your talk becomes “heated,” stop. Go back and try again later. ·Don’t talk down. Respect him/her as an adult. ·Don’t’ correct him/her. ·Don’t demand. Ask nicely. ·Don’t take adverse behavior personally. ·Slow down! Hurrying increases frustration. Another issue in agitation is non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is important to be aware of, both in what we are communicating to our loved ones, and what they are communicating to us. Non-verbal communication is expressed by persons with dementia through body languages, facial expression and tone of voice. At times, Alzheimer's patient can look into your eyes and seem to read your soul, almost like a “sixth sense.” They are sensitive and intuitive to people and things around them. They know when someone is being sincere or not. Body language is as important as their facial expressions. For example, if your loved one suddenly gets up and walks around, that may indicate need to go bathroom. Be alert to those signs and give big hugs as much as possible. A gentle touch will make their life much easier and relaxed. Environment can also cause agitation. Examples would be where temperatures are too cold or too hot, or lights too strong or too dim. Try to set up an environment that is relaxing for your loved one. It will make his or her life easier. And as your loved one with Alzheimer's relaxes, so will you.
William G. Hammond, JD is a nationally known elder law attorney and founder of The Alzheimer’s Resource Center. He is a frequent guest on radio and television and has developed innovative solutions to guide families who have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s. For more information you can visit his website at www.BeatAlzheimers.com
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