Can someone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s live in an assisted living facility (ALF)? According to most facilities: yes.
In the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, a resident will be losing some memory, but the progression of the disease can be slowed by medication which will lengthen the time that a resident can stay in the ALF. As long as the resident can still perform most of their own care with only a little help from aides, they are not candidates for being moved to a skilled facility.
However, it may be a good idea to watch how your loved one is coping. Not all residents will lose the ability to go to the toilet or feed themselves first. As we have mentioned before, the signs and symptoms of early stage Alzheimer’s can be subtle. Losing medications, forgetting appointments, and the worst – funneling their savings into schemes.
Some facilities may offer to care for residents that are suffering from more advanced stages of the disease, but you must be aware that the services will add extra costs to the already high prices. These services are included with the care in skilled facilities, so if your loved one is in the more advanced stages of dementia, it may be a more cost effective idea to go with a skilled facility. While the ALF may look more like home, they are not designed for the needs of people that need more intensive care.
Another problem with staying in an ALF during the later stages of Alzheimer’s is that the resident will gain a tendency to wander. Many assisted living facilities are not set up to deal with wandering residents. This can lead to tragedy if a resident wanders away into surrounding forest or other wilderness type terrain.
If you do decide to stay with an assisted living situation, be aware of the condition of your loved one at all times. Ask for assessments from his or her doctor every few months. If there is any indication that they are unable to provide the basic care we all perform for ourselves everyday, you may need to rethink the assisted living situation. If you must, speak with the resident’s doctor and have them help you find a facility that can provide the care your loved one needs.
Tags: Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer's Symptoms, Assisted Living Facility, dementia, Resident, Skilled Nursing Facility
