When Should A Dementia Patient Go Into Care
Some signs that a person with dementia should look into memory care or assisted living include severe memory loss, such as forgetting where they are or those who are regularly putting their physical safety at risk.
Ultimately, memory care communities are one of the best options for families looking for a safe and reliable solution to long-term dementia care. Since it can be quite costly, families may need to look into benefits that include long-term care insurance such as Veterans benefits and Medicaid.
Dementia Care: Keeping Loved Ones Safe And Happy At Home
Of the 5.8 million people in the United States who have Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia, many remain at home, an option thats been shown to help them stay healthier and happier and live longer.
But home care isnt always easier caregiving often falls on the shoulders of family members and friends. And these well-meaning loved ones can burn out without the proper support, experts warn.
The care of dementia is actually the care of two people: the person with the illness and the person taking care of them, says Johns Hopkins geriatric psychiatrist Deirdre Johnston, M.D. But when Johnston and a team of researchers studied more than 250 Baltimore residents with dementia and their caregivers, they found a staggering 97% to 99% of both groups had unmet needs.
Keeping your loved one safe and happy at home with dementia home care can seem overwhelming. But dont lose heart: Plenty of help is out there, for your loved one and for you. Here are some tips that may help:
Is Memory Care Right For My Loved One
Memory care is for seniors who have Alzheimers, another form of dementia, or other types of memory loss. Memory loss associated with Alzheimers or dementia is progressive and classified in stages, which relate to levels of cognitive impairment and symptoms.
Whether your loved one has just been diagnosed with dementia or is showing signs of increasing cognitive decline, understanding what to expect as their disease progresses and the type of care they need at each stage can help you plan.
While some people with early- to middle-stage dementia may do well at home or at an assisted living facility, as dementia symptoms and behaviors worsen, many families opt for memory care. The specialized care and therapies available at memory care facilities teach coping strategies that enable seniors to compensate for memory loss, increasing confidence while keeping them safe. Memory care also provides a structured environment, with daily routines that help residents feel more comfortable as they cope with declining cognition.
Many assisted living facilities also offer on-site memory care. This means a senior with early-stage dementia may be able to move first to assisted living and later transition to memory care at the same community as their disease progresses.
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Consider Moving To A 55
Safety features, such as nonslip tubs, are already in place, and neighborsmay have loved ones in similar situations. Have more financial flexibility?Continuing-care retirement communities allow the person with dementia toaccess higher levels of care while a more active spouse can liveindependently on the same campus.
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When Does Someone Need Memory Care Dementia Care Next Steps
Youve answered 13 questions and determined that your loved one may need additional care. Ask your aging relatives doctor about next steps and a dementia diagnosis, and talk about signs that its time for memory care. Memory care communities can provide the support needed for your loved one to age in a safe, stimulating environment where their medical and emotional needs are met.
Talk with a local Senior Living Advisor about your answers to these 13 questions, and learn more about memory care communities near you.
The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider regarding any medical condition or treatment, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay treatment based on anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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Where Is The Best Place For Someone With Dementia
Dementia manifests and progresses differently in each person, which can make it difficult to know when to seek out residential care for a loved one. One person in the early stages of the disease might only need occasional assistance, while another needs daily care. The time it takes to move onto the next stage of care will also vary from one individual to the next. The best place for someone with dementia will depend on their medical needs and level of independence. Heres a basic overview of the care options available for dementia patients, from custodial assistance to full-time residential care.
In-home care
Most dementia patients prefer to stay in their own home as long as possible. This is usually feasible in the early stages of the disease when the individual only requires basic care, such as food preparation, assistance with personal care and cleaning, and other household tasks. Caregivers in this scenario do not need to be trained medical staff, and are often family members or neighbors willing to lend a hand. However, professional in-home caregivers are also available, enabling the patient to maintain relatively independent living for as long as possible.
Adult day care programs
Adult family homes
Continuing care retirement communities
Nursing home facilities
Memory care units
How Much Do Nursing Homes For Dementia And Alzheimers Patients Cost
One of the most heavily considered elements of the decision-making process in regards to placing a loved one with dementia or Alzheimers disease in a nursing home is the cost. Providing 24-hour care at any level is expensive, and the more care a dementia patient needs, the more expensive that care is. The costs for care can vary based on level of care needed, the facility and location. Typical costs fall between $2,525 and $5,745 monthly with an average nationwide cost of $3600 per month. The price of care is 81% more for those with dementia and Alzheimers than for those in need of care at a facility without these diseases.
It is estimated that 2018 will see nearly $277 billion dollars spent on long term care for those diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimers disease. Of that $277 billion, $186 billion will be covered by Medicare and Medicaid, while $60 billion will be covered by out-of-pocket payments. The final $30 billion will be covered by private insurance, state programs, and VA programs.
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Seniors With Dementia Living At Home Have Complex Care Needs
Seniors with dementia who receive care at home may present more challenges than those without dementia because they are more clinically complex. Some of the characteristics of these individuals include the following:
- 1 in 5 have severe cognitive impairment
- 1 in 4 require extensive assistance or are dependent for activities of daily living
- 1 in 4 exhibit any responsive behaviours
- 1 in 4 have signs of depression
Seniors with dementia who live at home score worse on behavioural and cognitive scales compared with other seniors living at home and receiving care. Seniors with dementia exhibit responsive behaviours such as verbal and physical abuse, socially inappropriate behaviour and resisting care more frequently than those without dementia . However, among all seniors with dementia receiving home care, a larger proportion do not exhibit any responsive behaviours than do . Seniors with dementia score the same in health instability and are admitted to hospitals less frequently. The CHESS Scale detects health instability and is designed to identify individuals at risk of serious decline.
Most Seniors With Dementia In Canada Live At Home
About 61% of seniors with dementia in Canada live at home and they require support while staying there.
There are approximately 5.8 million seniors in Canada and about 5.5 million live at home. CIHI analysis finds that of the estimated 431,000 seniors living with dementia in 20152016, more than 261,000 were estimated to reside outside of publicly funded long-term care or nursing homes.
Canadians living with dementia want to maintain their independence they want to live at home and engage with their community, said Pauline Tardif, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Comprehensive home and community care is an essential part of this equation. It helps maintain quality of life for people with dementia while also providing needed support for caregivers.
Seniors living with dementia who receive their initial assessment to determine eligibility for long-term care in a hospital are 6 times more likely to enter residential care than those assessed elsewhere
Seniors with dementia and their caregivers can follow 7 key strategies to help them remain in the community longer
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Talking To A Loved One With Dementia About Moving To Memory Care
You may be dreading talking to your senior relative with dementia about moving. While its true that changes in routine can be difficult for people with memory loss, you may help the transition by sharing the right information at the right time. Learning strategies to better communicate with someone with dementia can go a long way.
Consider carefully how much information to share. While some seniors prefer to be involved in decision making, others with lower cognitive ability may become more confused and suspicious. Avoid telling your loved one that theyre moving because they need more help. Many people with advanced dementia are unaware of their symptoms or disease. Lean on memory care staff expertise for tips and advice on how to start the conversation, and be sure to ask whether transition programs are available to get seniors acquainted with staff and the community.
- 10 Tips to Better Communicate With Someone With Dementia
- Limit potential distractions, such as TV or music
- Speak naturally and use gestures
- Use your name and others names
- Talk about one thing at a time
- Use nonverbal cues, such as eye contact or a smile
- Avoid overwhelming questions
- Communicate with creativity, using visuals, songs, and smells
- Be patient and avoid interrupting
- Understand there will be good days and bad days
- Recognize communication can be difficult
Tips On Choosing A Care Home
One of the most important things to check when choosing a care home is the most recent Care Quality Commission report. You can find these on the CQC find a care home directory.
The CQC regulates all care homes in England. Its inspection reports can show you how well a care home is doing and any areas of concern.
When visiting a care home, spend time looking around and talk to the manager and other staff and residents.
It’s useful to take a friend or relative with you as you can compare notes after your visit.
It’s a good idea to make your own checklist before visiting care homes. These tips may help.
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Are Their Living Conditions Safe
Someone aging in place with dementia may begin to hoard household items or neglect laundry and cleaning. They could eat spoiled food or forget to clean up pet waste.
Alzheimers safety risks at home may include trip hazards, fall risks, kitchen appliances, guns, or household chemicals. Dementia care at home often requires significant safety modifications.
Overworked Family Caregivers: Alternative Living Options For A Loved One
Many families with a loved one at home suffering from memory issues become overworked and exhausted in providing around-the-clock care to ensure all needs are met. Providing care to a spouse, parent, or grandparent with dementia behaviors in tight living spaces is often more than challenging.
In time, the caregiver will make the tough decision of considering other residential care options, ensuring that medical professionals in memory care units provide specialized care to their loved ones along with other patients.
Not all senior care retirement communities accept individuals who require around-the-clock dementia care.
Before selecting the optimal senior care community location, families must consider the extent of their loved ones memory loss, current medical care plan, and the need for help with activities of daily living.
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Is Nursing Home Care For Dementia Tax Deductible
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on each individuals financial situation. However, nursing home care is generally considered to be a medical expense, which means it may be eligible for a tax deduction. If you are considering nursing home care for a loved one with dementia, it is important to speak with a tax advisor to determine if the expenses would be tax deductible.
Memory care is deductible as part of the long-term care services category under the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act . A persons memory care costs must be deductible if they meet the following requirements. Some medical expenses may qualify for a tax break if they are deductible at a higher rate.
How Does Memory Care Help Seniors With Memory Loss
Dementia is often progressive. This means symptoms worsen over time, often leaving elderly adults unable to live independently and causing tremendous stress and burden to families and caregivers. As the disease progresses, dementia behaviors and symptoms become difficult to manage, and living at home may no longer be safe.
Someone with advanced dementia needs 24-hour supervised care in a secure environment. In later stages of the disease, many people have difficulty performing simple activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and using the toilet. Disorientation, confusion, and sometimes aggression also tend to get worse, affecting seniors with dementia and those around them.
It may be difficult for family caregivers to provide full-time care for a loved one with advanced dementia while juggling other responsibilities, such as work and children. The physical and emotional stress of caring for someone with dementia puts caregivers at risk for health problems and decreased quality of life, and may lead to burnout. Memory care provides much-needed support for caregivers while offering exceptional care for people with memory loss.
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Offers Supportive Therapies For Alzheimers And Dementia
Memory care facilities often offer supportive therapies and activities for dementia that help with behavior problems by increasing relaxation, reducing agitation, and improving mood. These may include:
- Occupational therapy to help teach seniors coping strategies to compensate for memory loss and cognitive decline.
- Music therapy. Research shows that listening to soothing music or singing songs with dementia patients can help improve cognition and reduce agitation and aggressive behavior.
- Pet therapy. Many memory care facilities provide pet therapy or have a resident pet, usually a dog or a cat, for companionship.
- Art therapy, which is believed to slow cognitive decline and improve quality of life.
- Reminiscence therapy, which uses sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound to help seniors with memory loss remember people, events, and places.
- Aromatherapy, which uses scent to evoke memories, and may help reduce agitation in older adults who have memory loss.
Dont Be Afraid To Ask About Their Training
Youre placing your loved one in their care so you have every right to ask them about their training and exactly how theyre going to be cared for when you arent there.
When the staff in a long-term care facility have been well-trained, and are well-supported by their management, it can make the biggest difference in the care they provide for your loved one.
You should ask questions like Do they have training updates? Does the home have subject matter experts come in to keep up on the knowledge as its changing? How are they trained to handle incidents where residents become aggressive?
How does the facility answer these questions will give you a lot of insight as to how they will handle potentially aggressive dementia patients.
If you dont feel comfortable with these answers, it is ok to walk away. Their answers should give you a sense of peace and comfort. If their answers leave you feeling uneasy, this is a sign you should probably walk away.
You want to make sure the care facility will be caring for your loved one in the same way you would. Leaving your family member in a place where you know they will be loved like you would love them can make it that much easier.
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Palliative Or Hospice Care
In the late stages of Alzheimerâs, your loved one might benefit from palliative or hospice care. Palliative care is supportive care focused on comfort, while hospice care is also focused on comfort but includes a decision not to pursue aggressive care or treatment. Often, Medicare programs provide some coverage for both palliative and hospice care.
Enroll In Medical Alert Programs
Safety becomes more of a concern as dementia progresses. For peace of mind, consider enrolling in programs that can improve or monitor the safety of people with dementia. Many programs offer medical ID jewelry or 24-hour assistance if a loved one with dementia wanders off or becomes lost. If additional assistance is needed, medical alert services can help by checking in on loved ones and notifying caregivers if there is no response.
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How Can I Find Dementia Care Facilities Near Me
There are many ways to find a good dementia care facility thats conveniently located for you. The first is to look at local directories and call around to see which places offer specific memory care options. The next is to talk to your doctor, who likely can recommend a dementia care home that will work particularly well for your family members needs. You may also want to talk to your insurance company to find out which dementia care facilities are covered. If youre struggling to find a good option in your area, you may have to look a bit farther out in your metro area or in other parts of your state. Look through our directory of dementia care facilities to locate one in your area.
Although treating dementia can be scary, the range of dementia care facilities available throughout the United States are a great resource for families struggling with the condition. Dont wait until the last minute to find treatment for your loved one – start looking now to make sure theyre safe and taken care of. We’ve put together a nationwide directory of dementia care homes in the U.S., which you can access below to find a dementia care home near you: