If your mother, father, or someone close to you has Alzheimer's disease, you may be wondering what to do when they are no longer able to live alone. It can be a difficult and emotional decision for you, your family, and your loved one. In times like these, an assisted living facility is one option that provides the care and protection they need. Let's see if this is the right fit for your loved one and how to choose the right place.
What is an Assisted Living Facility?
Simply put, this is a place like a dormitory specifically designed for people who need some medical and personal assistance, but can still do some of their own things. These are not like nursing homes, but quite different.
These centers are often designed to feel like home . They also encourage residents to be as independent as possible. You and your loved one can talk to the staff about what services they need and what they can do on their own. They can get a single room, a small apartment-like unit, or even a room to share with another person.
These are the services typically provided at a place like this:
- They serve food one, two, or three times a day.
- Reminds you to take your medicine on time.
- Help with personal tasks like getting dressed and bathing.
- They do things like cleaning the room and doing the laundry.
- There is a 24-hour emergency medical service .
- Some medical services are provided.
- We organize social activities and hobbies that you can do together with others.
How do I know if my loved one needs a place like this?
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, your loved one's need for care and supervision increases. You may find that you are unable to handle it as a caregiver. At this time, ask yourself these questions.
This decision is difficult to make, but both the safety of your loved one and your mental well-being are very important.
| Questions to ask yourself | Think about this for a moment. |
|---|---|
| Are you worried about safety? | Do you constantly feel afraid and worried about his safety when you're not home? Do you worry about things like whether he'll slip and fall, leave the gas on, or leave the door unlocked? |
| Can you physically handle this? | Are you having physical difficulty with tasks like getting him out of bed or taking him to the bathroom? Are you experiencing increased back pain and aching in your limbs? |
| Has your personal life been affected? | Has this care taken away from your job, your family, or your personal life? Are you feeling unbearably stressed, angry, or exhausted? |
| Does he like a social environment? | Do you think it would be better for his mental health to talk to other people and engage in small activities, rather than feeling lonely when he's home alone? |
If your answer to these questions is "yes," this may be the best time to consider a supportive care center.
What are the things to consider when choosing a good center?
The best thing to do is to go and see some of these places yourself . When you do, it's important to talk to the staff and residents there. The tables below will help you with that. Ask them about these things and find out.
Financial and legal matters
| What to look for | Details |
|---|---|
| Licenses and approvals | Does this center have the necessary licenses and standards from local authorities and the government? |
| Emergency situations | How do they act in the event of a medical emergency? Is there a plan to take you to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)? |
| Contracts and payments | What is included in the contract? (accommodation, care, health services). What are the circumstances in which a contract can be cancelled? Is there a refund policy? |
| For guests | Are you allowed to come and visit at any time? What are the rules for that? |
Staff and environment
| What to look for | Details |
|---|---|
| Staff training | What kind of training does the staff receive? Is there any special training to care for people with memory problems, especially Alzheimer's? |
| Their behavior | Is the staff friendly? Do they treat residents with kindness and respect? Do they call them by their first names? Watch how they interact with each other. |
| Status of residents | Do the other residents there seem happy and comfortable? Ask them and those who visit them about the place. |
| Social activities | What kind of social and recreational programs are there? How often are they held? Can families participate in them? |
Building and facilities
| What to look for | Details |
|---|---|
| Appearance and cleanliness | Does the building and surrounding area look good? Are the rooms clean, do they smell bad? Is there a comfortable temperature? |
| Safety | Are the doors and corridors designed to be easily accessible for wheelchairs and walkers? Are the floors made of non-slip material? Are the carpets well-maintained? |
| Room amenities | Do the rooms have separate lockable doors? Are the bathrooms private? Are you allowed to bring your own furniture? |
| Food and services | How are meals served? Do you cater for special dietary needs (e.g. diabetics)? Can food be brought to the room? |
Medical assistance and other services
This is a very important part. Your loved one may not need help 24 hours a day, but it will be a great relief to have it when needed.
- Medication: What is the center's policy on administering, storing, and keeping records of medications to residents? Are residents allowed to manage their own medications?
- Medical visits: Who coordinates if I need to see a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or other specialist?
- Medical Checkups: Does a doctor or nurse visit residents for medical checkups? How often?
- Daily help: Do they provide services such as dressing, eating, walking, bathing, using the phone, shopping, doing laundry, and providing transportation to doctor appointments?
After researching all of this carefully, choose the most suitable, safest, and most comfortable place for your loved one. It is also a good idea to talk to your family doctor about this.
Take-Home Message
- Placing your loved one with Alzheimer's disease in a supportive care facility is a very sensitive and difficult decision, but it can be essential for their safety and well-being.
- When making this decision, it is also important to think about the physical and mental health of your caregiver.
- Before choosing a center, always visit it in person. The environment and the behavior of the staff are more important than the appearance.
- Talk to the staff, other residents, and visitors to get information.
- Discuss all your concerns and needs openly with the center management. If necessary, seek advice from your family doctor about this.
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