When choosing a new home for a person with dementia, it is important to keep in mind some basic guidelines. While the decision to seek residential care may be difficult, the following tips are meant to help you stay focused on the task at hand.
- Be clear about the particular special care needs of the person with dementia before beginning the process of selecting a residential setting. Keep those needs in mind as you review the literature for each facility and when you tour a facility. It’s best to write them down and take them with you. Also, think about the special needs and preferences of your family. For example, do you need a residence that can provide kosher food? Is the facility located in an area that is accessible to family members who would like to visit your loved one on a regular basis? Your local Alzheimer’s Association is an excellent resource for help in determining your family’s needs and they can provide literature as well as guidance to help you to make the best possible choice for everyone involved.
- Know your budget. It’s easy to lose sight of what you can and can’t afford when dealing with an emotionally charged issue. This is especially important when choosing an assisted living facility for which there are few or no outside sources of funding and private funds must cover the entire cost of care. In addition, residential care for people with dementia is more expensive than comparable care for those without this disease.