Choosing a Nursing Home for an Alzheimer's Patient - It's not a Cop-Out

Guilt is the biggest emotion a caregiver feels when they simply can no longer care for a loved one afflicted with Alzheimer's disease. It is important to know that as the caregiver, you have done everything you possibly can to love and nurture your family member; however, dealing with the progressiveness of the disease ends up being more than a one-person job. As symptoms progress, it is often a twenty-four an hour day job and no one person can or should shoulder that responsibility alone.

A nursing home facility or group care retirement place may seem like a cruel alternative. After all, many caregivers probably feel that no one else can possibly care for a loved one as much or better than they have. However, these nursing home facilities have numerous staff that has been trained to deal with Alzheimer behaviors. Many homes are kind and caring and see their "residents" as members of the family. It is up to you to find the best place for your loved one and a place you trust can be a tough job to do. However, there are a number of things to consider and plenty of sources of information that can help you with this task.

Plan ahead. When first hearing of the diagnosis, your and your loved one should have sat down while they were still lucid to devise a game plan for their care. Before Alzheimer's robs them of their faculties, they could have a say in how they would want to be taken care of and you, as the caregiver, would have some guidance into this uncharted territory.

Use all avenues of information that are available. Talk with the doctor as well as the social workers that are accessible through the hospital and doctor's clinic. Many social and support groups cater to those afflicted with Alzheimer's as well as the family. They would have a plethora of resources from which to draw. They can give you guidance to the best nursing facilities in the area.

Do your research. Make appointments with several nursing care facilities and talk with their doctors, nurses and staff. If possible, interact with some of the residents and try to gauge their level of care and how happy they are. Be prepared with a list of questions to ask! Determine what might be important to your loved one like social interaction, a semblance of independence, and even the food offered.

Drop in unannounced. Sometimes, when you make an appointment, staff and residents are on their "best" behavior. By dropping by unannounced, you can see if your first impressions of the facility are still valid.

Find out about specific care for Alzheimer's patients. Many nursing facilities treat and care for the elderly and even some of the young with a variety of ailments. Determine if they have any specific programs just for Alzheimer's patients. As the disease progresses, more care will be needed to ensure not only their health but also their safety.


When it comes to choosing the best facility for your loved one, you may run across several places that would suit their needs. Sometimes, you just have to go with your gut feeling on which place would be the best. And if guilt creeps in to your emotions and you are having a touch time making a decision, ask for a friend or family member to visit the facilities. Get their opinion. No matter which place you choose, just know that your loved one will be well cared for. Remember, these facilities have twenty-four staff with multiple shift changes. They are better equipped to handle the challenges of Alzheimer's disease.