Jaxpointe at 63rd Pl Memory Care Home

Those caring for a person afflicted with cognitive deficits (Alzheimers, dementia, strokes, brain injuries) usually get to a point where they wonder what do I do when I cannot be the caregiver any longer?  They start looking into options of getting more help with the care at home or placement into a care facility.  Once a decision to get your resident placed has been made, how do you decide where to place them?  They need to be assessed by a competent individual who can guide the placement. This placement decision is critical in helping figure out how this person is going to live out the final leg of their life journey. When assessments are made, the individual can be at different stages in the deficit or disease process.  It is up to the assessing person to figure out, based on their experience and available information, when and where this person should be placed.  Consideration must be given to: -Type of cognitive deficit and functional level-Medical condition and the type of care required-Physical capacity and functional level including mobility-Nurturing, reassurance, and encouragement needed Most seniors with a cognitive deficit being considered for placement will do best in an Assisted Living setting versus a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF).  Placement into a SNF should be limited to those individuals that have a challenging medical condition and need a great deal of nursing care. The rest of the candidates being considered are going to need to be placed based on their medical condition, amount of assistance and care that is required, financial resources available and how well they may adapt to the setting.   Most facilities fit into one of these 3 categories.  Keep in mind that once you select a category another breakdown could be done on the facilities within that category to choose the best fit for the senior.  3 Types of Placements: 1)      SNF/Rehab - high degree of medical assistance, poor on nurturing and managing behaviors or non-medical challenges which accompany cognitive deficits due to unavailable staff and care model objectives, (they are not setup for the added non-medical care needed). 2)      Large ALF It can be a good fit if the resident can function at a high level, is able to do many things by themselves, with some reminders, and can appreciate the amenities that many of these facilities offer. When the residents needs increase and they cannot be met any longer, then one of the other settings could prove better.3)      Small ALF (residential) resident would benefit from more oversight, more nurturing, some extra help managing their day-to-day functions, smaller group of residents helps eliminate anxiety, financially more affordable than #1 or #2, customized approach to caring based on the setting and the other residents, Staff is more stable and consistent and helps resident adapt. They often have a higher care-to-resident ratio.  It may not have fancy amenities. Residents tend to stay in these settings through end of life. Editors 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 by email at Info@jaxpointe.com