A Look At Why Assisted Living Usually Works Out Well For Those Suffering From Alzheimer's
Posted on: 8 October 2017
Alzheimer's is a scary disease, whether you are the sufferer or the primary caregiver. Thankfully, there are some assisted living facilities that cater to the needs of people who have this disease. It is a common assumption that Alzheimer's patients belong in a nursing home, but there are several things that make assisted living a good option instead. Here are three reasons why assisted living facilities are a good option for those suffering from Alzheimer's:
Assisted living facilities take the dangers out of meal time.
It is not at all uncommon for someone with Alzheimer's to feel so disoriented that they forget to eat the proper meals when they live alone. Furthermore, someone with Alzheimer's could easily start preparing a meal and lose complete track of what they are doing, which means they may leave the stove on or something cooking and completely forget about it. In an assisted living facility, meals are provided by the staff, either in the resident's room or in a dining area. Those residents who don't show up at meal time will be tended to in a timely manner.
Assisted living facilities give patients a structured environment.
For a patient who has Alzheimer's disease, the slightest disruption in their schedule and environment can lead to issues with their memory loss. In an assisted living facility, even though residents have some freedom to do what they want, they also have a structured routine and environment. For example:
- Meals will be served at the same time every day
- Activities offered will usually be offered on a rotating basis, such as Monday night card games
- Caregivers will keep their visits consistent
Additionally, there will be no changes made in the patient's room and patients are free to arrange their own furnishings and decorate as they wish. They can also keep things with them that are reminders of who they are, such as family photos and keepsakes.
Assisted living facilities will accept residents without further health problems.
If an Alzheimer's patient can mostly care for their self and don't have major health problems, a nursing home may not always accept them as a resident. This is because beds in a nursing home can be in high demand and are often reserved for patients with serious needs. Assisted care facilities don't have the same stringent policies, which means a patient can come into the facility and get whatever level of care they need.
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