Alzheimer's facilities are house for seniors with memory impairments that keep them from communicating normally and taking care of themselves. Besides a room and meals in a common dining area, they provide constant supervision, help with activities of daily living and personalized care designed to offer residents as much mental and memory stimulation as possible.

The “Dementia” facilities are free-standing institutions. However, Department of Social and Health Services licensing criteria are required for a facility to provide care to elderly. The only way to determine if the facility meets your needs is to visit and know what to look for.

Many Alzheimer's residents requires more general services offered in nursing homes and assisted living facilities as well as care geared specifically to disoriented individuals.

This checklist should therefore be used upon the medical condition of your love one and the unit you are examining. Take the checklist along when you tour a facility. Bear in mind that the staff's attitudes and philosophies about caring for residents should be reflected throughout the facility, from architectural design to meal preparation, planned activities and so on.

Checklist

Name of facility: _________________________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________________________

Contact information: ___________________________________________ Tel: ______________________

General rating on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent): 1-2-3-4-5

Facility

1.      Is the facility on a quiet or busy street? Urban or residential? Quiet residential neighborhoods are preferable to reduce the risk of wanderers being overwhelmed, hit by vehicles or victimized.

2.      What is the noise level? Is the facility insulated to reduce noise? (A low noise level is best for residents with Alzheimer's, whose senses are easily overloaded).

3.      Is the unit small and home-like, or large and institutional? (Smaller, home-like units are preferable). Residents with dementia become easily confused in institutional settings where everything looks the same.

4.      Is the unit all on one level? (This is preferable for Alzheimer's residents, who are at greater risk of falling or becoming disoriented).

5.      Are there circular areas designated for wanderers, or are the hallways long with dead ends? Alzheimer's residents often seem compelled to wander, and dead ends can make them agitated and frustrated.

6.      Have adequate measures been taken to ensure that wanderers can't escape the unit or the grounds undetected?

7.      Is light used as a cue to help residents know the time of day? Bright lights should be used during daylight and low lights at night.

8.      Are visual cues used to help residents orient themselves? Cues include:

•         Color. Patterns can confuse people with dementia, so color schemes should be bold and simple. For example, all bathroom doors should be the same color and the hallway a single contrasting color.

•         Locator signs. Written words like "kitchen" or "toilet" may be used, but graphics are vital for patients who no longer read. The signs should be at eye level and in strong contrasting colors with a flat finish. Other signs can help orient residents by including information or graphics indicating the daily schedule, season or city.

•         Photo albums, family and personal pictures. Displaying old photos and mementos do help residents identify their rooms. Alzheimer's often impair short-term memory but leave long-term memory intact. Residents may not recognize themselves in the mirror but would recognize photos of themselves in their youth.

•         Large clocks and calendars. These help orient residents in time and can include information on the daily schedule and the season, for example.

Staff and Services

1. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? In a dementia unit, the ratio should be about one-to-four.
2. Is a dementia specialist on staff or available on a consulting basis?
3. What special services are provided for residents with Alzheimer's?
4. If the resident showed ______ behavior, how would the staff react? (Examples: tearful, combative, accusatory, asking repetitive questions — whatever behavior your loved one tends to exhibit.)
5. Are smaller, separate rooms designated for activities, as opposed to larger, communal spaces? Residents become disoriented in big rooms with multiple activities.
6. What activities are arranged for residents with memory impairment?
7. Are residents encouraged to remain continent? Are they reminded to use the bathroom? Is a schedule in place?
8. Does staff assist residents to the bathroom if needed?
9. What percentage of residents wears briefs/depends?

Final notes

Comments:
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What I liked most about this facility:
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What I liked least:
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Overall impression:
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