Are there special innovations to look for in Alzheimers and dementia care?
Yes. Some nursing homes are trying a different approach, commonly called resident-centered care, that offers a homelike environment and that works to meet a resident’s preferences, such as eating frequent snacks, waking up later, or being able to take walks. These homes work harder to try to get people up and find activities that work for them as individuals so they are not sitting around in wheelchairs watching The Price Is Right every morning. They stress intellectual and physical stimulation, exercise, calming music, and pets for therapy. And they pay attention to how the staff approaches and talks to dementia patients. Some examples: moving slowly when approaching a patient, approaching from the front so they do not get startled, and calling the person by name since even late in the disease they remember their own names. What is the biggest factor when it comes to quality of care? Staffing. Annual turnover for nurse aides runs at 100 percent or higher. Nurse turnover rates are also
