Jaxpointe at Allison Ct Memory Care Home

Seniors that have developed a cognition deficit and are requiring care in a Memory care facility enjoy a higher quality of life with a well-trained, consistent staffing team that they have come to trust and depend on.  Memory care residents are generally scared and feeling vulnerable. Seeing familiar faces and seeing them regularly is critical for the resident with cognition challenges. Recent developments in healthcare staffing have created a shift in using all company employed staff to using a portion of company staff and the rest temporary agency supplied staff.  This is a result of staffing shortages at facilities. Many workers have left the healthcare field during Covid and are not returning. Also, facilities are trying to adjust the staffing levels due to labor cost pressures and still meet the minimum requirements of caring for seniors. This change in staffing strategy creates several challenges when it comes to caring for a senior in a memory care setting: fear of unknown people, constant new faces, lack of continuity of care, distrust, anger, and potentially behaviors and refusal to cooperate.  The staff are not typically tuned in to the needs of the senior or what is most effective care for each resident due to a lack of experience with this resident and often a lack of time to invest in reading progress notes and care plans for each resident.  Often, they are assigned for a day or two and then on to the next assignment.  If trust between staff and residents is not established, residents can feel that they are abandoned by their family, a burden to people and may shut down and pass away.  Facility medical providers may start trying to address a difficult resident with care plan changes and increased medications which could lead to a decrease in quality of life.   Make sure that when you search for a facility to care for your loved one, that you select one where the staff is handling an appropriate number of people on their shift, 4-6 during the day and 7-8 during the overnight (awake staff), and that the staff works for the facility, and has been and will be in place for a long period of time.   Editors Note: This article was submitted by Russ Udelhofen Administrator of Jaxpointe Assisted Living Memory Care Homes in Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Lakewood & Golden. He may be reached at  303-420-5590 or by email: info@jaxpointe.com

Caring for people with cognition deficits - dementia, strokes, traumatic brain injuries in a residential assisted living is challenging during normal times but add in the complications of COVID 19 and it has been one wild year for sure! Following is a quick glimpse of what it has taken to remain COVID Free.Normal times meant an enjoyable setting with activities, visits from family and friends, outings, exercise classes, live music, pet visits, family dining, etc. This care model addresses the needs of Memory Care with a secure setting, 2 caregivers taking care of 8 residents all day, special open concept residential home modified to meet the resident's special needs, modifications to activities, adjustments to food service, medical oversite, etc. We had to adjust their old normal to include the changes brought about by COVID 19.Residents:Daily temperature screenings and constant watching for symptoms of COVIDReduced visitation - through a closed window using a phone or in the outside area. Residents miss loved ones, cannot remember why visits changed and do not realize the visitor with a mask is family.Everyone wearing masksSocial distancing for meals and activitiesQuarantining when necessaryConstant cleaning by staff, hand cleaning and sanitizingCOVID testing and the slow wait for resultsConstant media attention about COVID and the terrible things happening in health care settings causing both residents and staff to become scared and depressed, wondering if they are going to die or cause someone else to become infected.Staff:Daily temperature screenings and constant watching for symptoms of COVIDIf any symptoms were discovered or there was possible exposure outside of the facility, there was a COVID test done and quarantining until symptoms passed and negative test results were receivedWearing masks, screening residents, visitors (most were not allowed for 1st 6 months), conducting video meetings for residents and families and providers not allowed inManaging residents and trying to maintain normal in this residential setting where social distancing is challenging because people want to move around and be near each other.Flexible with schedule so they worked when available, not in a watch mode and rested when the other staff was back on shift. We had to carry extra staff throughout to make this process work for all.Giving an extra dose of love and kindness to make up for the lack of family contactSo here we are today, a little burned out and exhausted, but happy we have remained COVID free for everyone's sake. We have all been vaccinated and have encouraged our regular visitors to do the same. Indoor visitation is being allowed, hugs and hand holding can happen again, weather is warming up so we can get outside, walk, get our gardens going, eat our meals, have some fun and find our new normal. The vigilance continues until this pandemic is over.Editor's Note: This article was submitted by Russ Udelhofen, Administrator of Jaxpointe Assisted Living Memory Care Homes. He may be reached at 303-420-5590 or email at info@jaxpointe.com