How to Find an Assisted Living Facility for Someone With Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia

You will want to make sure the facility has a separate and secured unit for seniors who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Look at the range of activities offered to people who suffer from Alzheimer's and dementia. Most do better in small group activities with two or three people than in larger groups.
2. Ask if the facility offers multisensory interactive experiences such as aromatherapy, subdued lighting and tactile stimulation for people with Alzheimer's or dementia. These techniques help calm them down when they are anxious or agitated.
3. See if there are secured areas both indoors and outdoors for Alzheimer's or dementia patients. Make sure the walking areas are either circular or figure-eights, since people with Alzheimer's do not do well with right angles.
4. Take the marketing tours of prospective assisted living facilities. Talk to staff and residents alike, asking about staff credentials and qualifications, meals, employee drug screening and employee background checks.
5. Talk to your senior family member's physician or social worker for referrals when choosing an assisted living facility.
6. Get in touch with a geriatric care manager for information about assisted living facilities in a senior family member's community. Geriatric care managers are often nurses, social workers and psychologists by training, with an expertise in geriatrics. They charge privately for their services.
7. Look at online directories of senior care (assisted living and nursing) facilities such as Senior Care Review, Care Guide (888-389-8839), New Lifestyles(800-820-3013) and Senior Alternatives(800-350-0770) for senior facilities.

Tips & Warnings

• Medicare does not cover assisted living. In some states Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) may cover assisted living facilities.