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How to Evaluate an Assisted Living Facility for Alzheimer's Patients

Locate Alzheimer's Assisted Living Care

Making the decision to put a loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility can be devastating.  Sometimes a caregiver needs a supervised place for the relative to stay during the day or, as the disease progresses, it may be necessary to admit the person into an Assisted Living Facility full-time.

Not every facility is equipped to handle the very special needs and care of Alzheimer's and dementia patients.  After having your loved one properly diagnosed, by a qualified doctor or a memory disorder center, follow these 10 steps before choosing as assisted living or long-term care facility.

1. Make sure that the facility is licensed and accredited.  There are many kinds of Assisted Living Facilities.  Make sure the one you choose has been licensed to handle the special needs of Alzheimer's patients.

2. Check the qualifications of the staff.  Alzheimer's and dementia patients require special care, so make sure that the staff helping and supervising your relative is qualified and specially trained to work with people who have progressive memory disorders.  Also, check the resident-to-staff ratio.  Six patients to one staff member usually means good care.

3. Check the facility. Is the facility clean?  Does it provide a loving environment where your relative feels at home?  Make sure that the facility is equipped with the feature necessary to help your relative.

4. Look at the rooms.  Some facilities have very elaborate public areas.  The truth is that the patient's room is the very private place your relative will call home.  Look at the bedrooms.  Are they clean and spacious?  Do they allow your relative to decorate and make the space personal with photos of loved ones and mementos even furniture from home that will help remind your loved one of home?

5. Make sure that the buildings and premises are secure.  Security is vital to an Assisted Living Facility that cares for Alzheimer's and dementia patients given their lack of memory.

6. Look at the programs being offered. Look for a facility that offers a wide variety of special programs that will keep your relative alert, interested and entertained.  Alzheimer's patients need constant stimulation.   It is also important that programs and support groups are offered for caregivers, so that the whole family can take part and get help if needed.

7. Ask about the medical and dental care provisions.  Do doctors visit the facility regularly?  Can residents visit their own doctors and, in case of an emergency, is there as doctor on call?  Which hospital is the facility associated with?

8. Check the visiting schedule. Make sure that the facility is receptive of family members and allows privacy during visits.   Ask if you can take your relative off the premises. Look for a facility that allows you as much assess to your relative as you need.

9. Take a close look at the residents and how they are being treated. Are they participating in activities?  Are they restrained or simply watching television? Make sure that the residents seem happy are comfortable and are participating in activities.

10. Get all information about fees in writing.  Be sure to ask about what is covered in the base fee and what is considered extra.   Ask about fee increases and about available pay options.  Also ask if the facility works with Medicaid or long-term insurers.

To get the truth about a facility and the care given, ask the family members of residents in any facility.  They are the best sources for information about treatment and can help you make a more informed decision.

Although the decision to admit a loved one into an Assisted Living Facility is not easy, a good "home" with the right environment can be the best solution to providing the special, and much needed care that an Alzheimer's patient requires.

Locate Alzheimer's Assisted Living Care