Are Nursing Homes Equipped to Handle Patients With Alzheimer's?

It all starts with a simple moment of forgetfulness on your loved one's part. "Where did I put my sunglasses?" They may ask you out loud as they prepare to head out the door for the day.

Seemingly innocent in nature, they simply brush off their lapse in memory and go about their day as normal. However, it does not stop there. The lapses in memory grow progressively worse over time. Misplacing objects and forgetting familiar phone numbers become a constant state of confusion. They don't just forget where they left their sunglasses anymore; they've forgotten who they are, and reminding them is now a reality, every day.

The signs above may lead to the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, a disease that interferes with a person's behavior, memory, and ability to think. There is no cure for Alzheimer's at this time, and patients, on average, will live about eight years after diagnosis, though that number can range from four to 20 years, depending on the patient's prior condition.

Some patients may lose the ability to complete everyday tasks independently, such as picking out clothes, getting dressed, or using the restroom. As a result, they may require 24/7 assistance from family members. It is at this point that you may want to start researching local nursing homes in your area in order to determine if they are a viable option for you and your loved one.

Nursing homes, unlike other senior housing programs, are designed to provide the patient with 24/7 care provided by registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN). In addition, most nursing homes provide patients with both skilled and custodial care. In other words, nursing homes have the ability to properly handle most extensive wounds, IV therapy, and standard custodial care in the form of assisting patients with eating and bathing. A large number of patients with Alzheimer's will require custodial care on a regular basis for a long period of time, which most senior housing programs will provide.

However, patients with Alzheimer's may injure themselves in moments where they briefly lose clarity. Therefore, it is best to place them in a nursing home that is equipped to handle medical emergencies. When deciding on a nursing home, the first thing you should focus on is whether or not a facility is clean upon visiting. Also pay close attention to the residents in order to determine if they look well-nourished and groomed.

The best way to get to know a facility, not only judging it from an aesthetic point of view, is to arrange a phone call with the coordinator of the facility. Ask them if they have any activities specifically tailored to assist Alzheimer's patients with memory loss. The key to finding a suitable home for your loved one is to be informed. The more you know about a facility increases the likelihood that your loved one will be treated well and content with their new home.