How to choose a memory care unit
Dear Savvy Senior, My mom has Alzheimer’s disease and has gotten to the point that she can’t live at home any longer. I need to find a good memory care residential unit for her but could use some help. Any suggestions?
Exhausted Daughter
Dear Exhausted, Choosing a good memory care residential unit for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is a very important decision that requires careful evaluation and some homework.
Most memory care units, sometimes called special care units, are housed within assisted living or nursing home facilities. At their best, they offer staff extensively trained in caring for people with dementia, individualized care that minimizes the use of dangerous psychotropic drugs, a home-like environment and activities that improve residents quality of life. But at their worst, they can offer little more than a locked door. Here are some steps that can help you find a good facility and avoid a bad one.
Make a list: To identify some good memory care residential units in your which provides a area ask your mom’s doctor 5-star rating system. for a referral, and use Call the facilities: Once the Alzheimer’s Association you’ve identified a few facilities, online tool at Communityresourcefinder.org. call them to find out if they have any vacancies, Make sure the facilities on if they provide your list are close to family the types of services your members and friends who mother needs, what they can visit often, because charge and if they accept residents with frequent Medicaid. visitors usually get better Tour your top choices: During care. your tour, notice the
Research your options: cleanness and smell of the Once you’ve made a list, facility. Is it homey and inviting? contact your local longterm Does the staff seem care ombudsman (see responsive and kind to its Ltcombudsman.org). This residents? Also be sure to is a government official taste the food, and talk to who investigates assisted the current resident’s family living and nursing home members, if available. complaints and can tell Also, find out about staff
screening and training you which facilities have
procedures, their turnover had problems in the past. rate, and the staff-toresident If you’re looking at a ratio. They should memory care unit within a
have at least one staff nursing home facility, use
member for every five residents. Medicare’s nursing home compare tool (Medicare. gov/nursinghomecompare),