Dementia Unit

Patient Diagnosis

Approximately four million individuals in the United States suffer from Alzheimer’s or related dementia disorders. Of those, twenty percent have progressed to the point that nursing facility care is required. Slightly more than half of irreversible dementia cases result from Alzheimer’s disease. Other causes of dementia are multi-infarct dementia caused by multiple strokes, Parkinson’s Associated Dementia and Pick’s Dementia, which is related to Alzheimer’s. At different stages of the disease, dementia patients typically experience:

• Progressive memory loss

• Proneness to agitation due to changes in their environment

• Incontinence

• Wandering tendencies

• Suspiciousness

• Disorientation

• Depression

Program Design

The Laurels’ Dementia Unit is specifically devoted to the care of individuals with Alzheimer’s and other related dementia disorders. This unit provides a caring, personalized, yet structured environment which features:

• A geographically separated area within the facility, including a secured courtyard

• Dementia admissions only

• Pre-admission assessment

• 24-hour licensed nursing staff

• Staffing with individuals specially selected and trained for the dementia population (ongoing training is required)

• Medical Director supervision

• Psychological services

• Dedicated Program Director

• Management of behavioral concerns

• Nutrition station

• Supervised dining program

• Consistent caring methods

• Bio boards, memory boards and signage

• Safety and other security systems

• Low stimulus environment

• Activities for the cognitively impaired

• Programming 7 days a week/12 hours a day

• Integral family involvement

• Supportive services including education, counseling and family support

• Safety and security of all guests

Our Dementia Unit provides carefully designed lighting that is bright enough to enhance vision acuity and color recognition, while eliminating shadows and glare that may frighten or agitate individuals suffering from dementia. The special care unit has clear distinctions between the walls and the floors. The layout allows and encourages wandering through routes that include activity stations. The unit provides access to secured outdoor areas when weather allows. Background noise is minimized. Group activities are arranged in small groups to lessen excess stimulation and confusion.

Nurses pay close attention to those in the Dementia Unit to identify medical problems that the guest may be unable to communicate.  In particular, the staff looks for signs of weight problems, dehydration and medication side effects that occur more frequently in the dementia population.