The Caregiver's Guide to Memory Care and Dementia Communities by Rachael Wonderlin

Author:Rachael Wonderlin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Should My Loved One Be in a Skilled Nursing Facility?

Your family member may require more care than a dementia care community typically provides. They might be better off in a skilled nursing facility. Nursing facilities are typically for residents who require complete, or nearly complete, physical assistance. For example, if your mother uses a wheelchair, needs to be fed, cannot be transferred to a bed or a toilet without assistance from at least two people, and is completely incontinent, she may be a good fit for a nursing facility. Sadly, some family members wait too long to choose a dementia care community. By the time they decide on one, the person with dementia is a better candidate for a nursing home.

When deciding whether a dementia care community is right for your mother, for example, ask yourself these important questions.

Is your mother able to interact with others? Will she be able to make friends at a dementia care community?

Is mom more of an introvert? Would she do better with one-on-one care or with larger groups?

Have you talked to the nurse or director at your local dementia-specific community? They may be able to tell you if the community has other residents with the same physical needs as your mother.

Will your mother enjoy participating group activities or performances?

What are the costs associated with each community? Is a dementia care community more expensive?

Will your mother get enough positive interaction from a nursing home? Although cost is important, it’s also necessary to weigh the benefits your mother will get from living in a more connected community.

What are the policies about visiting hours? You want to make sure that you can check in on your loved one and bring other members of the family to visit. Have things changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? Are the rules likely to change again?

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