As the Allentown, Lehigh Valley, and surrounding area ages, there may come a time when you can no longer care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease at home. When that happens, you will need to find another place for that person to live.
You may feel guilty or upset about this decision, but as the disease worsens, it could be the best or even the only way to provide the optimal level of care that your loved one needs. Remember that many caregivers reach this point. Moving the person to a care facility may give you greater peace of mind.
Even after you decide the person needs to relocate, choosing the right place can be challenging. The process involves learning about long-term care facilities, arranging visits, and asking the right questions.
South Mountain Memory Care, located just outside of Allentown, PA in the Lehigh Valley, is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care to support our residents in achieving a well-balanced lifestyle. We strive to allow our residents to remain independent while emphasizing safety. Our focus is to enrich their lives, mind, body, and spirit by bringing new initiatives to their day-to-day regimen while maintaining the activities they find comfort in. South Mountain Memory Care offers the peace of mind you deserve. When it comes to those you care so deeply about, we understand, because we care too.
Different types of long-term care facilities
Long-term care facilities are not one-size-fits-all. Facility-based long-term care services include assisted living facilities, group homes, and nursing homes. Some facilities offer only housing and housekeeping, but many also provide personal care and medical services. Many facilities offer special programs for people with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia.
Learn about the different types of places to determine where the person with Alzheimer’s will feel most comfortable.
- Assisted living facilities Assisted living facilities have rooms or apartments. They’re for people who may need some help with daily tasks but do not need around-the-clock care. Some assisted living facilities have special Alzheimer’s units with staff who check on and care for people with dementia. You must pay for the cost of the room or apartment, and you may need to pay extra for any special care. Some assisted living facilities are part of a larger organization that also offers other levels of care. For example, continuing care retirement communities offer independent living and skilled nursing care.
- Group homes A group home is a home for people who can no longer care for themselves. Several people receiving care live in the home. At least one caregiver is on-site at all times. The staff takes care of the people living there by making meals, helping with grooming and medication, and providing for other needs. These homes may not be inspected or regulated but may still provide high-quality care.
- Nursing homes are for people who can’t care for themselves anymore and may need ongoing medical care. Some nursing homes have special Alzheimer’s care units. These units are often in separate sections of the building where staff members have special training to care for people with dementia. Some units are designed with the goal of making the person feel more like they are at home. They provide special activities, meals, and medical care. Nursing homes are inspected and regulated by state governments.
Visiting facilities
Once you decide what kind of long-term care facility works for your loved one’s needs, choose a few places to visit. Talk with friends, relatives, social workers, or your religious community to find out what places they suggest. Check with healthcare providers about which nursing homes they feel provide good care. Call the facilities to learn more and to schedule visits. You can call South Mountain Memory Care at 610-965-7662 or schedule a tour online.
Visit at different times of day and meet with the facility’s leaders to get a full understanding of how the facility works and treats the people who stay there.
Ask yourself
- How does the staff care for the residents?
- Is the staff friendly?
- Does the place feel comfortable?
- How do the people who live there look? Are they clean and well cared for?
- Are mealtimes comfortable for people living there?
- Is the facility well-maintained? Does it look and smell clean?
- Do staff members speak to residents with patience and respect?
Ask the staff
- What activities are planned for residents?
- How many staff members are at the facility? And how many of them are trained to provide medical care if needed?
- How many residents in the facility have Alzheimer’s?
- Does the facility have a special unit for people with Alzheimer’s? If so, what kinds of services does it provide? Are the costs for this unit different than those for the rest of the facility?
- Is there a doctor who checks on residents regularly? How often?
- What is a typical day like for the person with Alzheimer’s?
- Is there a safe place for the person to go outside?
- What is included in the fee? What services or options would cost extra?
- How would my loved one get to medical appointments?
Talk with other caregivers who have a loved one at the facility. Find out what they think about the place. Ask about the total costs of care. Each facility is different, so you want to find out if long-term care insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare will pay for any of the costs.
If you’re asked to sign a contract, ensure you understand what you are agreeing to.
Making moving day easier
Moving a person with Alzheimer’s to an assisted living facility, group home, or nursing home is a big change for both the person and their caregiver. You may feel many emotions, from a sense of loss and sadness to guilt or even relief. It is okay to have all these feelings. A social worker or someone from a private service may be able to help you plan for and adjust to this big change. It’s important to have support during this difficult step.
Here are some things that may help.
- Know that the moving day can be very stressful.
- Talk to a social worker about your feelings about moving the person into a new place. Find out how to help the person with Alzheimer’s adjust.
- Get to know the staff before the person moves into a facility. Talk with them about ways to make the transition go smoothly.
- Be an advocate for the needs and preferences of the person with Alzheimer’s.
- Be supportive and listen to any concerns, but don’t argue with the person with Alzheimer’s about why they need to be there.
Once the person has moved to their new home, check in regularly to see how they are doing. As the caregiver, you probably know the person best. Look for signs that they may need more attention, are taking too much or not enough medication, or may not be getting the care they need. Build a relationship with staff so that you work together as care partners.
You may also be interested in
- learning more about long-term care
- reading about ways to pay for long-term care
- getting tips for how to take care of yourself as an Alzheimer’s caregiver
For more information
NIA Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
800-438-4380
adear@nia.nih.gov
www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
The NIA ADEAR Center offers information and free print publications about Alzheimer’s and related dementias for families, caregivers, and health professionals. ADEAR Center staff answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources.
Alzheimers.gov
www.alzheimers.gov
Explore the Alzheimers.gov website for information and resources on Alzheimer’s and related dementias from across the federal government.
LongTermCare.gov
202-619-0724
aclinfo@acl.hhs.gov
https://acl.gov/ltc
Family Caregiver Alliance
800-445-8106
info@caregiver.org
www.caregiver.org
This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date. Content reviewed: August 12, 2024
South Mountain Memory Care, with our unique culture, “small house” model, and abundance of certified caregivers, offers you the peace of mind of knowing your loved one will be cared for as if they were our family—which they are!
South Mountain Memory Care is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care to support our residents in achieving a well-balanced lifestyle. We strive to allow our residents to remain independent while emphasizing safety. Our focus is to enrich their life—mind, body, and spirit—by bringing new initiatives into their day-to-day regimen while maintaining the activities they find comfort in. South Mountain Memory Care offers the peace of mind you deserve. When it comes to those you care so deeply about, we understand because we care, too.