When Should an Alzheimer's Patient Be Put in a Retirement Home?

Placing a family member with Alzheimer's in a retirement home can be a difficult decision. One of the most important aspects of the decision to place an Alzheimer's patient in a retirement home is the physical ability of the caregiver to continue the patient's home care. Community support and resources to assist with home care are also extremely important. A caregiver lacking a family or community support system will need to seek retirement home placement much sooner.

Ability to Provide Care

• The factors that predict when a family has to seek placement for a relative with Alzheimer's varies. Each family must take into account the severity of the Alzheimer's and their ability to deal with the effects of the illness on their own lives as well as that of the sufferer. If the caregiver is unable to get rest, has no family or outside support system, or is also aging or physically declining then retirement home placement may be necessary earlier. If the Alzheimer's patient is wandering, combative, abusive or difficult to care for this will also play a role in seeking retirement home placement.

Available Community Resources

• The availability of respite or adult day care services plays an important role in the ability of the family to keep an Alzheimer's patient at home. If there is a lack of community resources that offer respite or adult day care then caregiver burnout is going to occur much quicker. Without a link to the outside the caregiver may feel abandoned and alone. He may be less able to deal with the change in the behavior of his loved one. The caregiver could also begin to resent her loved one for "taking away her life." These are all very important aspects in making the decision to place a family member with Alzheimer's into a retirement home.

Preparing for the Future

• A caregiver must be prepared for the road ahead once Alzheimer's is diagnosed. The caregiver must be educated about the resources available and the decisions that they will eventually face. The Alzheimer's Association suggests that family members talk with the Alzheimer's patient's physician once the diagnosis is made and continue to work closely with the physician and a social worker. A physician should continually monitor the health of the caregiver as well as the Alzheimer's patient.