How to Place a Dementia Patient in Long-Term Care

A family member with dementia can be a heartbreaking situation. A diagnosis of dementia alters the lives of each family member, including the patient and her loved ones. During the early stages of dementia, while a patient continues to be healthier, make long-term decisions for care as the disease advances. You may need to place a dementia patient in long-term care for her safety and well-being.

Instructions

Choose a Facility

• 1

  Make decisions about health care for the dementia patient for the time when the disease progresses and her health begins to decline. If you know that you will not be able to provide adequate care, begin looking for a facility before your loved one needs it.

• 2

  Determine the level of care you desire in the long-term care facility. Consider an assisted-care facility where patients live independently with medical staff on-site to provide assistance when patients need help. Or a nursing home, where patients live in a full-care facility under the direct supervision of medical staff. Some have both facilities. A patient can start in the assisted-care center and move to the nursing home when necessary.

• 3

  Explore your long-term care options under your Medicare and/or private insurance carrier. Find out what care your insurance will cover and whether the insurance will limit coverage to certain institutions.

• 4

  Visit all long-term facilities you are considering. Find out what kind of dementia/Alzheimer's disease care a facility provides. Many facilities have special locked units for keeping dementia patients from wandering. Tour the special locked unit. Ask direct questions about how each facility tailors care for dementia patients. Ask about special therapeutic activities that can help keep a dementia patient active and engaged.

• 5

  Drop in unexpectedly to facilities that you are considering. This will give you an idea of what the facility is like on a day-to-day basis when they are not expecting you. Walk the halls. Observe how clean the facility appears -- both with your sense of sight and smell. Notice if the residents appear clean and happy and how the staff cares for the residents. Try to spend at least 90 minutes observing how the facility operates.

• 6

  Speak with the family members of other residents in a facility. Find out whether they are happy with the care their loved one receives at the center. Ask gerontology professionals and your family doctor for recommendations. Check the center's license for violations and how it resolved problems.

• 7

  Select the long-term care facility that fits your needs and is conveniently located to make visiting easy. Arrange with the facility to take your family member. A financial statement is required. Many centers require a doctor's evaluation before admission. You may need to place your name on a waiting list with a deposit to wait for an opening.

Move to the Facility

• 8

  Pack the personal items your family member will take with her to the facility. Many centers have guidelines for packing and they usually have policies about what personal items a resident can keep.

• 9

  Stay with your family member while you admit her to the facility to make the move as stress-free as possible. Unpack her personal effects. Stay upbeat and positive about the move.

• 10

  Help staff members get acquainted with the dementia patient by writing some guidelines. Compile information about daily activities, diet, likes, dislikes, behaviors, friends, interests and any other tips that will help the staff learn about her. Include birthdays, an anniversary and names of family members.

• 11

  Visit often and spend time with your family member. Take part in daily care. Attend movies, parties and craft activities. Bring photos and keepsakes to help stimulate her memory and inspire conversation. Read the newspaper or a magazine with her. Bring flowers or a wreath. Call relatives and let your loved one speak. This can help you both stay connected.