- Avoid clutter. It presents too many choices for a person with dementia.
- Order, routine and simplicity are helpful.
- Make sure there is adequate lighting. The field of vision for people with dementia often narrows as dementia progresses. Eliminate glare.
- If mirrors are distressing for the person, remove them or cover them up.
- In the bathroom, get rid of unnecessary items (multiple bottles of shampoo) in order to avoid confusion.
- Eliminate background noise wherever possible.
- Use contrasting colors--they will be easier for the person with dementia to see. Color can also be used to hide things. If you want a person to ignore a door, paint the door frame, baseboard and adjoining wall the same color.
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When persons with dementia move into a memory care community, it can take from several weeks up to three months or more for the person to adjust and feel comfortable with the new environment and routine. From my personal experience working with memory care residents at one assisted living for over a decade, I would say the average amount of time before the person settled in was no longer than a month. Your loved one may be angry for a while, and may seem more confused than before. This is a perfectly normal phase. Rest assured, things will improve in time. Here are ten tips to help ease the transition:
One of the most common types of dementia, Lewy Body Dementia causes problems with thinking, movement, behavior and mood. There are two types of Lewy Body dementia:
1. Dementia with Lewy Bodies. This is when people FIRST have a decline in cognition, then, within a year, develop movement problems. 2. Parkinson’s Disease Dementia. This is when people FIRST show symptoms of a movement disorder, then, after a year or more, cognitive symptoms arise. After the first year, the symptoms of the two types look very similar. Symptoms include:
How should you respond to a person’s hallucinations or delusions? Tune in to the person’s emotions. Determine whether the hallucinations are upsetting for the person, or not. If the hallucination or delusion causes no danger or upset for the person, there is no need to do anything except validate the person’s perception or belief, i.e. “Huh. That’s interesting.” If the hallucination is upsetting, respond to the emotion expressed: “I can see why you’re upset.” Agree, sympathize, and validate BEFORE offering reassurance, i.e., “Of course you’re annoyed by all those little people running around. But I’ve got the situation under control.” You can offer the person empathy and concern: “I’d feel that way too, if that was going on in my room. Let’s go for a walk, they’ll go home soon.” Then, clearly and firmly, give the “little people” some direction, i.e., “Okay, kids, you’ve got ten minutes to get out of here.” A variety of professionals can help manage the person’s disease. Medication may be helpful in some situations. Therapists (physical, speech, and occupational) can help with movement issues, swallowing and vocal problems, and can help to identify ways daily activities can be made easier for the person. Palliative Care Specialists can help manage constipation, sleep disorders and behavior problems. If you are the primary caregiver for someone with Lewy Body dementia, make sure you have a team of professionals in place, and make sure you find respite for yourself as needed. --Adapted by Marysue Moses, Ebenezer Dementia Care Program Coordinator, fromLewy Body Dementia Information for Patients, Families and Professionals, NIH Publication No. 13-7907, September 2013 Surgery has changed over the years. And so have your recovery options! With changes in Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, you may find that recovery after surgery is not as simple as being discharged from the hospital. In fact, you may find your post-surgical care options are a little confusing or overwhelming.
As part of Fairview Health Services, Ebenezer is here to help. Here’s a guide to help explain some of the many options your hospital physical therapy team in agreement with your surgeon may recommend. Your health, physical condition, and the type of surgery you are having, determine the amount of time you spend in the hospital. Today, the average length of stay for joint replacement is now just over two days. Everyone is different and your experience may be different as well, here are some possible options for after surgery care. Recovery after surgery at Ebenezer After surgery, your care team may determine you need more recovery time before you can safely return to your home. Depending on your condition, your care team may recommend a transitional care unit. This time will help bridge the gap between hospital and home. Transitional Care Unit – Ebenezer transitional care units – are located within our skilled care centers and offer short-term therapy and medical care in an environment staffed with 24-hour nursing care. Our team of physician and nurse practitioners, transitional care nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and social workers provide care specifically tailored to your recovery after surgery. Ebenezer offers transitional care units at four locations throughout Minnesota:
Stay by the Day Apartments – Bel Rae Senior Living offers Stay by the Day Apartments as a short-term recovery after surgery solution, or to provide a sort term break for your caregivers. You can rent an apartment for a minimum of seven days to a maximum of 30 days. Care attendants are available 24-hours a day to provide health and personal care to meet your recovery needs. The apartments are fully furnished, meals are provided and utilities are included. Fairview Home Care After surgery, your care team may send you home with a home care team. Fairview Home Care and Hospice, one of the Twin Cities most reputable home care services can provide the home care services you need to help you recover after your surgery. Home Health Care – If you are discharged home after surgery but still need supportive health care services to stay safely in your home, your physician may send you home with orders for Medicare-certified home care services like Fairview Home Care and Hospice. Care is provided in the comfort of your own home through scheduled visits from registered nurses, home health aides, physical therapists, occupational therapists and licensed social workers. As one of the Twin Cities’ largest and most trusted home health care agencies Fairview Home Care and Hospice is dedicated to helping you recover after surgery. Private Duty Home Health Care – If you want to continue care in your home beyond the time that Medicare considers it medically necessary (i.e., when you are no longer “homebound”), Private Duty Care can provide the services you need to stay in your home. From medical and nursing care, to meal preparation and companion care, Fairview Private Pay Home Care provides the services you need to live independently in your home for as long as you need them. Outpatient Rehab – If you have returned home but still need some type of therapy as part of your recovery after surgery, home care or outpatient rehab may be a good fit. Skilled therapists assist with your physical, occupational and speech therapy needs. Ebenezer offers two patient rehab solutions:
Be sure to join us Saturday, June 20th from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Bel Rae Senior Living of Mounds View for our grand opening celebration.
Enjoy an afternoon of delicious food, LIVE entertainment, tours, prizes and fun as we celebrate our beautiful new community. Bel Rae Senior Living – Where The Good Times Live On! RSVP to 763-784-7633 Overflow parking is available at Mounds View City Hall and the Mounds View Community Center with shuttle bus service to Bel Rae Senior Living. Looking for senior housing? Ask these three questions first.
Choosing a senior living community can feel like a daunting task. To help narrow down your options, ask these questions first: Choosing a senior living community can feel like a daunting task. To help narrow down your options, ask these questions first: What type of senior housing do I need? Not all senior housing is the same. There are many options to consider depending on the level of care you need: Independent Senior Living – For those who want to live on their own. Includes apartments, condominiums or cooperative buildings designed for adults age 55 and older. If you need a little extra help, you can contract services such as housekeeping, personal care or wellness. Assisted Living – Offers a rental apartment for those who don’t require complicated, full time medical assistance. You can continue living independently, but care is there when you need it through care attendants and nurses. Meals and light housekeeping are part of the package. Memory Care – Includes special touches for those with memory loss, such as uniquely designed apartments, specialized programming and controlled exits to give you peace of mind knowing residents won’t wander off the property. Caregivers are also specially trained to work with people with dementia, providing a higher, more personalized level of care and attention. Nursing Homes – Offer high-level nursing care around the clock. Long-term care is provided for those who have serious or persistent health issues. There are also short-term care options – or transitional care – for those who need rehabilitation services after an illness or injury. Nursing homes are licensed healthcare facilities that are inspected and regulated by the state department of health. Ebenezer offers a wide variety of senior living options in Minnesota – including memory care, independent and assisted living communities and nursing homes. Each is designed to help you live more independent, meaningful and secure lives. For additional help in determining which Ebenezer community is right for you, read “Choosing Your New Home.” What happens if I need advanced care? If your care changes, make sure your senior living community is equipped to handle your shifting needs. Can you easily move from an assisted living to a nursing home? Is a hospital nearby if you need it? Can you keep your existing physician? Will your medical records easily be transferred? Not only does Ebenezer offer all types of senior living communities, but we are also affiliated with Fairview Health Services. This means you have a wealth of resources at your disposal, from top-notch physicians to the latest in Alzheimer’s research. Each day we are working to improve the quality and safety of patient care, which is how Ebenezer and Fairview became pioneers in the secure transmission of electronic health records between nursing homes and hospitals. Where do I want to live? Moving into senior housing brings exciting changes, like choosing the exact area you want to live. Do you prefer the familiarity of your current location and want to find senior housing in your own community? Or, do you look forward to moving closer to loved ones who may live in a different area? Perhaps you are interested in experiencing a new neighborhood altogether? There are more than 67 Ebenezer independent living, assisted living, memory care and nursing homes in both urban and rural settings throughout Minnesota. Since 1917, we’ve been Minnesota’s leader in senior housing, memory care and assisted living. For close to 100 years, our compassionate caregivers have been members of your community. Now, we invite you to be a part of ours. Schedule a tour today to learn more about the vibrant senior living options at Bel Rae. Call us at 763-784-7633 or visit www.fairviewebenezer.org For more information check out the following A Resident Tells the Inside Story |
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