Even in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease, you will want to plan for the changes that will take place in the person’s daily life.
Types of care to consider for Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s Texas has several resource lists containing contacts for the following types of care.
- Informal Care:
- Family
- Friends and neighbors
- Community volunteers providing assistance as needed
- Respite Care:
- In-home respite care – providing private pay professional services in the home
- Community Respite Centers – providing free respite with the use of volunteers in a faith based setting
- Elderhaven Adult day centers – providing private pay professional services in a safe environment outside the home (www.ageofaustin.org)
- Emergency respite care:
- Available in situations when caregiver must be absent unexpectedly
- Arrangements need to be made prior to the emergency situation and can take place either in-home or a facility setting
- Residential Care:
- Provided when living at home is no longer an option:
- Independent living for seniors
- Personal Assisted Living Care homes
- Assisted living facilities
- Continuing care retirement communities – offer independent, assisted and nursing care in one location
- Nursing facilities
- Provided when living at home is no longer an option:
- Hospice:
- Hospice seeks to address emotional, social and spiritual pain in addition to physical pain in the family’s desired setting. Costs are covered by insurance.
Getting started
When contacting a provider or residential care setting, be prepared by having the following information available about the person seeking care:
- Name and Social Security number
- Physician’s name and number
- Diagnoses, other health and behavioral care needs
- Insurance coverage including Medicare, Medicaid and long term insurance
- Special care equipment required
Know what in-home services you are seeking:
- Companionship – visiting, supervision and leisure activities
- Personal care – bathing, dressing, toileting and exercising
- Homemaking – housekeeping, shopping and cooking
- Medical – wound care, IV or catheter care, skilled nursing, etc.
Make sure the provider is:
- Trained in dementia care
- CPR and First Aid certified
- Licensed and bonded
- Referred by past clients
- Available when you need
What to Look For When Choosing a Facility:
- Family Involvement:
- Families are encouraged to participate in care planning
- Informs families of changes in resident’s condition and care needs
- Families are encouraged to communicate with staff
- Visiting hours are available for family and friends
- Staffing:
- Personal care and assistance is provided to extent needed
- Staff recognizes persons with dementia as unique individuals, and personalize care to meet specific needs, abilities, and interest
- Staff is trained in dementia care
- Programs and services:
- Appropriate services and programming are offered based on specific health and behavioral care needs
- Planned activities are available on weekends or during evenings
- Activities are designed to meet specific needs, interests, and abilities
- Transportation is available for medical appointments and shopping for personal items
- Meals:
- Regular meals and snack times with appetizing food in a pleasant dining environment
- Family and friends are able to join at mealtime
- Staff has a plan for monitoring adequate nutrition
- Staff provides appropriate assistance based on person’s abilities
- No environmental distractions during meal time (noisy TV, etc.)
- Environment:
- Indoor space promotes independence and allows for freedom of movement
- Safe and secure indoor and outdoor areas
- Easy to navigate
- Designated family visiting area(s)