How to Open an Alzheimer's Day Care Center

If a person chooses to care for an elderly relative with Alzheimer's at home it can be difficult to keep a job, go shopping or just get a break now and then. Opening a day care for Alzheimer's patients gives caregivers a break from the strenuous and exhausting routine and even allows them to continue holding their jobs while providing a peace of mind knowing their loved ones are taken care of.

Instructions

• 1

  Check with your local zoning office to be sure your facility will be allowed at the location you have. If you are looking for a place outside your home to create a new Alzheimer's day care, consult the zoning board in the city you are considering to find out if there are any restrictions you need to take into consideration.
  In most states you will need to pass a background check and fill out a lot of paperwork in order to get your licenses. Be prepared to have it take time to get all of your initial legal requirements in order prior to opening an Alzheimer's day care facility.
  If you are using an outside facility for your business it is wise to get all of your licensing in order before renting or purchasing a space because it can take a long time, leaving you paying rent or a mortgage on an unused space.

• 2

  Consult with a lawyer regarding proper protection from liability. Find out if your city and/or state requires a license to run a day care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Find out from your lawyer how to go about being approved to accept Medicare/Medicaid payments, because many patients are likely to be paying for your services with Medicare/Medicaid.

• 3

  Get approved by the local zoning office. You will need to have a bathroom facility for patients that is kept clean and sanitary as well as a food preparation area that passes public safety evaluation if you provide meals for your patients. Someone on your staff must also pass a food handler's class and be present anytime food is being prepared before you will be allowed to serve food for patients. Because you are not a full-time facility it is not necessary to have a dietitian on staff, but it can be a great benefit seek the counsel of a registered dietitian to develop your meal plans.

• 4

  Be prepared to offer plenty of general activities for your patients, such as board games, TV and even sing-alongs. Accept volunteers to help sit with patients and play games, talk to them or just listen.

• 5

  At least one member on staff should hold a degree in elderly care and therapy. It is a common practice to offer physical, occupational and speech therapy for patients at an Alzheimer's day care facility and will require someone on staff with the appropriate training in those areas as well as the proper equipment. It is also important to have an LPN or RN on staff to administer medicines as well as to counsel families on care or other questions they may have regarding their loved one's care.

• 6

  Have a separate area to house patients who are ill and require isolation. Your home or outside facility should be handicap-accessible and meet all state health building codes.

• 7

  Consider the number of patients you can care for with existing staff and room available. Your patient to caregiver ratio should not exceed 6 to 1.

• 8

  Offer visiting caregiver services to expand your business for those who cannot get patients to a day care facility but need assistance with either regular duties or just an occasional break from routine care.

• 9

  Offer transportation for bringing patients to the facility and returning them home to give caregivers a break or help them get to their jobs on time.

• 10

  Decide on the hours you wish to be available, keeping in mind that the more hours you are open, the more money you can potentially make. Staying open during the normal business hours of 9 to 5 Monday through Friday is a bare minimum.