FAQ #7
Question
Which kind of facility should I place my mother into? She has dementia. What types are out there?
Answer
Depending on the stage of dementia she is in, will determine where she should be placed.
1) Independent Living: A retirement community for elderly adults who are self–sufficient. They have their own apartments, complete, with kitchenettes. Some of these facilities offer laundry service, have a beauty salon on site and a dining hall where their residents can dine if they so please. These apartments are ideal for the well–minded, wheelchair–bound, able–bodied and walker–prone seniors. They have no stairs to contend with, good lighting, extra wide doorways, ramps, sturdy furniture, and good security. They provide transportation to nearby stores and malls, church, meals and in–house activities. They can cost anywhere from $3500–$7000 per month on an average. They do not provide help with medications, bathing, toileting or cleaning of the residents apartments.
2) Assisted Living: These places are classified by a variety of terms; personal care homes, board and care homes, adult homes, residential care homes. The residents who live in these homes need more help than an independent living community can provide. They can no longer cook or clean up after themselves or bathe unassisted. They may not be able to exercise sound judgment in decision making any longer. Many things must be considered when selecting a facility of this type for your loved one. Will your loved one integrate with the other residents who live there? What kinds of residents are living there; able–minded, demented, mentally ill or retarded? Does your loved one need a private room or if she wants a semi–private room, is one available? What is the resident to aide ratio? Check out a good number of them and make sure that the one you finally settle on respects the privacy of your loved one and encourages them to remain active as long as is comfortably possible. Prices can range from $400.00–$3500.00 per month depending on services provided.