Dementia affects a person’s memory and reasoning and can bring about personality changes. It progresses differently in different people. Depending on the stage of the disease, people may need different levels of care. Facilities like Bader House of Georgetown Memory Care offer a one-of-a-kind caregiving model to dementia patients. They help patients focus on their strengths and ignore their weaknesses.
People often think that dementia patients can only be treated in residential facilities. However, these patients can be treated at various types of facilities depending on how far their disease has progressed.
Types of Facilities for Dementia Patients
Below are the various types of facilities that can help dementia patients:
In-Home Care
Many dementia patients will like to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. You can keep dementia patients in their homes during the early stages of the disease. At this time, the patient will only need basic care like assistance with personal cleaning, food preparation, and other minor household tasks. You don’t have to be medically trained to take care of a dementia patient in their home.
Adult Daycare Programs
Adult daycare programs are ideal for patients who cannot be left alone in their homes during the day but don’t need full-time nursing care either. Adult daycare programs will offer a chance to engage with other individuals and also provide supervision where necessary. Being socially active will help keep the patients’ minds alert.
Adult Family Homes
These are similar to adult daycare programs. They are ideal for patients who cannot live independently but don’t medically require full-time residential care. These family homes have a small number of patients and staff that can offer basic medical care if required. Like adult day care programs, adult family homes allow patients to live and interact with other dementia patients, maximizing their brain functioning.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing care retirement communities offer dementia patients a tiered approach to care at different stages of their disease. Patients are transferred to areas in the facility that offer more involved care once their disease progresses. These communities allow the patients’ spouses to live with them during the early stages of the condition.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes offer 24/7 medical care and attention to dementia patients who can no longer be independent or live on their own. These patients require constant supervision, which any other adult care program cannot provide. Nursing home amenities help improve the patient’s quality of life. They offer various activities and opportunities to socialize with other people. They are also equipped to provide patients with a high level of care and comfort if their condition deteriorates.
Memory Care Units
Most nursing homes have specialized memory care units specially designed for patients with dementia. These units offer occupational and physical therapy and medical care. The staff at these units are trained to handle dementia patients. These facilities also offer structured activities that are designed to help them.
Tips to Choose a Facility for Dementia Patients
Below are tips for choosing the right facility for dementia patients:
Don’t Wait Till the Last Minute
Don’t wait till your loved one’s condition deteriorates to find a facility for them. There is no saying how soon the condition will progress. Begin your research as soon as you get the diagnosis. Starting research doesn’t mean you have to admit your loved one to the facility. But doing early research will help you if the condition suddenly progresses and worsens.
Don’t Assume That One Size Fits All
There are varying degrees of residential care for dementia patients. Don’t think one type of residential care will work for your loved one because it worked for someone else. Evaluate your loved one’s needs, current condition, and the amenities and services available at the facility. Choose a facility that aligns with your loved one’s requirements.
Evaluate the Facility’s Safety
Patients with dementia cannot differentiate between what is safe for them and what is not. Ask to see the facility’s records to assess their security measures. Ensure the facility has enough safety precautions and security policies to keep your loved one safe. Find out if the facility has received any violations in the past or if they have been disciplined by any Government agencies.
Ask About Staffing at Off-Peak Times
While your loved one will have enough people around them during weekdays and peak times, find out what the staffing situation is like on weekends, holidays, and off-peak times like evenings. How many people will be there to look after patients during weekends? Will they be able to give proper attention to all patients? Find out about the activities and supervision during holidays, weekends, and evenings.
