If your parent has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you have a lot of factors to consider going forward.
If you or other family members are unable to step in and provide the necessary day-to-day care for your loved one when it becomes needed, it is important to think in advance about the next possible step of needing to transition your family member into a nursing home or assisted living facility. A nursing home might be one of the best ways to protect your loved one’s interest when they have significant dementia and need skilled nursing level care. An assisted living facility with a memory care unit may be more appropriate if skilled nursing level care is not needed. Although many seniors prefer to stay in place and live at home as long as they possibly can, the dangers that are present for a family member who has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia can often be elevated to the level of requiring outside daily support. Given how many inspections, reports, and anecdotal stories you hear about nursing homes and assisted living facilities, it is natural to be concerned about selecting the right facility for your loved one.
Here are some of the most important things that you want to consider when selecting a nursing home or assisted living facility for an aging parent with Alzheimer’s or dementia. You’ll want to ask questions and do research to determine:
- What precautions are taken to ensure that your loved one has a low risk of wandering away, falling, or otherwise getting hurt?
- If a facility with great Alzheimer’s and dementia care is located farther away from your home or the residences of other loved ones, will you still be able to visit regularly?
- How will you and loved ones be notified promptly of changes in condition or treatment plans?
- What kind of activities will be afforded to your family member?
- Do the staff have enough experience to handle an advanced case?
- Are there enough staff members per resident to ensure your loved one gets quality care and attention?
When choosing a nursing home or assisted living facility, the in-person visit will help you get a sense of what the place is like on a daily basis so that you can make an informed decision.
Need help with the legal aspects of taking care of an Alzheimer’s patients affairs? An early diagnosis should prompt you to speak with an attorney. Contact our Massachusetts elder law office today for more information.
