I've visited 2 facilities that say they accept clients w/dementia. One is a secure one-story facility designed especially for folks w/dementia--locked doors, enclosed patio area, activities, different places to sit or watch TV, even a place w/baby doll and bassinett and rocking chair. Planned for 20 clients, but not there yet. Staff specially trained and selected for this facility that is next door to an assisted living building.
Second one we visited today is a 3-story assisted living facility. 80+ patients, very nicely decorated. Has apartments and studios. Everyone eats together, but you can order room service. Studios have a small fridge and microwave & TV. They have a couple Alzheimer's clients who are mixed with the general population. "That way they can socialize." Seemed vague when asked about special training for staff re Alzheimer's. I really couldn't see my hb functioning well in that environment. Outside doors locked only at night; no enclosed patio. I asked about wandering: "Oh, staff is always watching."
I think I've read someplace about mixing memory clients with others in a care situation, but I don't remember the conclusions. It doesn't seem like a good spot for my husband. Working an elevator, a TV remote, knowing when to appear for dinner (someone would come and get him if he didn't show up), finding his way through halls to an activity room, dining room, etc.???
Do any of you have knowledge of how that would work. What kind of respite arrangement works for you?
AD and any changes dont mix well together. if you have a secured AD unit available and you are happy with that its what i would go for. having to upgrade them when the disease progresses seems like a huge problem to me in the longrun. my idea would be get them used to where they will be permanent patients divvi
There are reasons facilities are dementia specific, and there are reasons that dementia staff are specially trained to deal with dementia patients. Anyone who mixes " a couple" of dementia patients in with the general population so they can "socialize" knows nothing about dementia, and I would cross that place off of my list pronto.
Due to family history - his dad was a wanderer - I would never put my hb in a facility that was not locked down 24/7. this is for their own protection and the staff. We have all heard the stories of how quickly they can disappear. Right after my MIL died we took my FIL up to their campground. We were all in a travel trailer. when I saw him heading out the door I got up and he was half way around the campground by the time we caught up to him. Same thing when he escaped from BIL in their house - he was two miles down the road. Safety first - take no chances.
Even in a dementia-specific facility there can be various types of problems. Unless the patient is in the early stage of the disease (and thus, would usually be living at home with family) I can't imagine how successful it would be to place someone in a mixed population residence. My Dad lives in an ALF with a seperate, locked dementia unit; if he ever needs dementia care, he can be moved into that unit but will still be residing in the same ALF, thus avoiding the "upgrade" problem Divvi described above. The dementia unit patients are included when there are special parties, entertainers, etc., so all that would be familiar to him.
Thanks for the input; basically reinforcing what I've decided--hb will have to be in a locked dementia unit w/staff trained for specific needs of dementia clients.
Zibby, when DH was discharged from the hospital, I put him in an ALF with a dementia unit. He had a room in the dementia unit but the aides would take him to meals in the general dining room and then bring him back. That worked ok for a week or so. Although the unit was locked, he was able to sneak out the door when visitors left and get outside. Thankfully that time an aide saw it happen and caught up with him. Ultimately he escaped out the window in his room (took off the screen and climbed out) and was caught by police about 2 miles from the ALF. BEWARE - if he's in a ground floor room, make sure the windows have stops or don't open. Definitely a dementia unit.