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to consider when choosing Assisted Living Care ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 8 /U.S. Newswire/ -- As a growing number of Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, many families find themselves struggling with the decisions associated with assisted living care. "How do I find the right facility for my parent, spouse or loved one" and "When is the right time to move into an assisted living environment," are just a few of the difficult questions that hundreds of families face every day.
In honor of National Assisted Living WeekŪ, Arbor Place, an Alzheimer's and dementia-specific assisted living home in Rockville, MD, has designed a series of questions to help family members determine which course of care is best for their loved ones, and how to trust that they've found a safe, properly- staffed and caring home. Walter Fanburg, MD, geriatric psychiatrist and founder of Arbor Place, offers sound advice and tips in the following questions: Do you struggle to fulfill the day-to-day needs of your live- in parent or spouse? One of the most difficult decisions to consider for many families affected by Alzheimer's is whether or not to move a loved one into an assisted living facility. Unfortunately, there may come a time when caring for someone at home is no longer in the best interest of the patient or their family. If your loved one is struggling with early to mid- stage dementia, consider finding a home that offers quality medical and psychiatric oversight, as well as the constant care and stimulation essential for their well-being and happiness. These attributes will make a remarkable difference in their day-to-day quality of life. What type of direct care will your loved one receive? Many assisted living facilities, especially those that care for Alzheimer's patients, offer dedicated staffers but may not provide the number and quality of staff needed to ensure your loved one's safety and security. Be sure to ask if there is a Registered Nurse on duty and confirm how many hours per day he/she is available as well as how many residents he/she must monitor. Most assisted living facilities have RN's on call, rather than on-site, which provides little safety for your family member and little security for you in time of a medical emergency. --- How closely will your loved one be monitored, especially in the evening and overnight? This is one of the most important questions to ask, according to Dr. Fanburg. "All too often, we hear reports of assisted living residents who were injured because proper care was not provided." Be sure to inquire how the assisted living facility monitors their residents on a 24-hour basis, and confirm that there is a sufficient number of staff awake during the overnight hours. Perhaps the facility uses closed circuit television or another form of monitoring to ensure the safety of the residents, especially those with more advanced stages of Alzheimer's or dementia who are unable to ring a bell for assistance. --- What type of stimulating activities does the facility offer? Residents with Alzheimer's or other dementia should be constantly engaged during their waking hours through music, art, dance and other related activities. Make appointments, or drop by the facility at varying times of the day to determine the range of activities offered. Activities within assisted living homes should be purposefully organized to help your loved one make the most of his or her existing cognitive abilities. Look for a facility that offers rich, stimulating experiences specific to your loved one's needs and interests. --- Does the home feel like a place where YOU would be happy and safe? It is most important to find a home that truly feels like a home. Your parent, loved one or relative has probably resisted leaving home for so long because it is an environment that they know and feel comfortable in. You too may have resisted the idea, fearing it would be an undesirable situation for your family member. Yet, when it is no longer safe for them to stay in their own home, even under your direct care, seek out a facility that seems to duplicate the comfortable home experience, as there will be less of a transition for your loved one and a greater sense of comfort among family members. If you find the right setting, you will not feel guilty as you are providing a better life for your loved one. --- Have you done your homework? "Many families are simply unprepared for the amount of research needed when choosing an assisted living facility," notes Fanburg. "There is much more behind the initial impression of an assisted living home, and you must take the time to research a variety of homes before deciding which is best for your own family member." Be sure to look beyond the physical amenities of the facility, as first impressions are meant to impress. Ask to stay as many hours as possible to truly understand the type of care offered and the services provided. You should also plan to spend some time with a professional at the facility, preferably the RN, to gain a complete understanding of how adequately the residents' needs are addressed. "Alzheimer's can be a heartrending experience, especially for supportive family members who love and care for the person who has been diagnosed," adds Fanburg. "But if the person you love is in an environment that facilitates internal and external contentment, you will feel more at ease and better able to deal with other aspects of your own life, knowing that you have provided the very best for the person you love." Arbor Place, like many facilities nationwide, will be observing National Assisted Living Week -- designed to bring awareness and education of this lifestyle option to the general public. National Assisted Living WeekŪ, which runs from Sept. 11-17, 2005, was established in 1995 by the National Center For Assisted Living (NCAL) to provide a unique opportunity to bring together residents, families, staff, volunteers and the community to celebrate our elders and the services provided within assisted living and residential care communities. It is a time to recognize the role that assisted living plays in enabling elders and people with disabilities to live with choice, dignity and as much independence as possible. |
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