Question:
How do I choose a nursing home for my family member with
dementia?
Answer:
There is probably no more emotionally charged
decision than admitting a family member to a nursing home.
Sorrow, fear, exhaustion and guilt make the decision harder.
Disagreement among family members can compound the
difficulty of the move.
Finding a good dementia home that you feel ‘fits’ your
relative can be facilitated by advanced planning. What will
help your family member thrive?
Visit several homes to find what is available in your area.
Contact South Shore Elder Services (781-848-3910) to get a
list of nursing homes with dementia units in the south
shore. Go to www.newlifestyles.com to find homes that
specialize in dementia. They are listed by town.
A
dementia unit may be a social model, much like a day program
with overnight accommodation, for higher functioning
patients, or a medical model where people with medical
concerns and dementia can be cared for.
Watch staff members interacting with patients. Are they
attentive and responsive to a patient exhibiting distress?
Or, do you hear negative statements like “Get away from the
door!” or “Stop that!” “Calm down!” Staff trained in the
Habilitation therapy approach will use distraction, soothing
talk or holding, good eye contact, and other positive
interactions.
Observe the environment. Is it free of unpleasant odors? Is
it attractive, dementia-friendly? For example, door frames
painted in bright contrasting colors facilitate the patient
finding their room. Large pictures or photographs of
familiar places or people orient and calm. “John, go to the
picture of John Kennedy and your room is the red door right
after it.” Isn’t that a better approach?
Next month’s
question: How can I convince my family member to
go to a day program or agree to a nursing home move? |
