Many people are concerned about the increasing number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease. There are many reasons why families may decide to place their loved one in an assisted living facility. Many families have been able to take advantage of financial resources for these types of senior care in the form of Medicaid or Social Security benefits and are concerned about not being able to adequately care for their loved one at home.
Some families have chosen to place their loved ones in an assisted living residence because they are looking for more around-the-clock care than can be provided in the home. In this blog post, we will explore some of the possible benefits of choosing assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients.
1,) Monitoring the Patient
One of the primary reasons that many families choose to place their loved one in an assisted living facility is because they are concerned about the safety of their loved one. After a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, it is common for individuals to wander away from home and get lost. For this reason, many families choose assisted living as a method for keeping their loved ones safe.
The assisted living residence provides staff members with the ability to monitor a patient’s movement at all times. Staff members are able to watch a patient at all times and have the ability to respond to any situation in a timely manner. It is also common for patients who have wandered away from their homes to be found by staff members who are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2.) Housekeeping
Another common benefit of assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients is housekeeping services. Many patients are unable to take care of their own personal hygiene without assistance from staff members. For this reason, many assisted living residences offer housekeeping services for patients on a regular basis. This allows the patient to feel comfortable in his or her own home and prevents the spread of disease.
3.) Cost of Care
The cost of care is another consideration that needs to be explored before a family chooses assisted living for an Alzheimer’s patient. Many families who choose assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients are concerned about the costs associated with caring for their loved ones. For this reason, some families may decide to place their loved one in an assisted living facility, believing that the cost of care is more affordable than it would be if their loved one was still at home.
4.) Home Safety
Another benefit that many family members may be interested in is the safety of their loved one when they are at home while they are caring for him or them. It is not uncommon for patients to cause damage to their homes that can result in dangerous situations for the patient and family members. For example, some patients have been known to hurt themselves with kitchen utensils. These types of situations may result in injury to family members and staff.
5.) Experienced Staff
Assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients provides benefits because the staff members who are providing care for the patient have been trained to care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. For this reason, it is often easier for families to feel confident in the care that their loved one is receiving at an assisted living facility. Many families are afraid of choosing a facility that is not capable of providing proper care and may worry about their loved one having a negative experience during his or her time in the assisted living facility.
6.) Less Risk of Injury
Another benefit of Assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients is that it allows a patient who suffers from a degenerative condition like Alzheimer’s disease to have a smaller risk of injuring themselves. It is not uncommon for Alzheimer’s patients to experience a loss of balance and fall, which can result in injury to the patient.
7.) Fun and Engaging Activities
Assisted living facilities allow patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease to participate in activities and events with other patients who are experiencing similar issues. These types of activities and events often result in fun and meaningful conversations, which can help the patient feel more comfortable and relaxed. This also allows the patient to feel involved with his or her community.
8.) Benefits for Family Caregivers
Assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients provides benefits for family members who are providing care for the patient. Many families may feel overburdened by the amount of care that is required to adequately care for their loved one. For this reason, some families may want to consider placing their loved one into an assisted living facility so that they reduce the amount of stress and worry that is associated with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease.
9.) Personalized Attention and Care
Many families who choose assisted living for their loved one with Alzheimer’s disease feel that they can provide better care because they know the personal history of their loved one and the specific needs that will be best met at an assisted living residence. However, in many cases, family members have no idea what to expect when it comes to providing care for an Alzheimer’s patient. For this reason, some families may need assistance in learning how to best provide care for their loved one and how to provide the patient with the best possible quality of life.
10.) Disabilities Are Accepted as a Part of Life
Many families who find themselves providing care for an Alzheimer’s patient feel that it is not safe for their loved one to live at home due to the risk of injuring themselves or causing damage that could result in injury. For this reason, many families who choose assisted living for their loved ones may feel that it is the best option.
Conclusion
The above ten benefits of assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or medical advice. Please consult an attorney or other professional to determine if assisted living is the best option in your situation.
At Sabal Palms, we measure our success on the Wellness and Happiness factors. Check out our website for more information about how these factors play a role in assisted living for Alzheimer’s patients.