Alzheimer’s Assisted Living - Hampton, Georgia

Philosophy of Care for Patients
Mount Carmel Personal Care Home is one of the pioneers in Alzheimer care, since 1986. We believe that people with such a disease have a special and a specific needs and require a sheltered low stress environment. Mount Carmel is a secured facility so that even the very agitated patient can be managed safely within the home boundaries. Some of the safety features include: an electronic security system which alert staff of unauthorized exit. All bedrooms are sound monitored during sleeping hours and all common areas are video monitored for added safety and quick response.

Mt. Carmel's Alzheimer’s Behavioral Management Program
Experience and the implementation of an Alzheimer’s Behavioral Management Program distinguish Mount Carmel Personal Care from other personal care homes. Our Behavioral Management Program is based on the belief that aggressive-combative behavior of some patients with Alzheimer’s is a symptom of unmet needs. The task of the caregiver is to view the world through the resident’s eyes and uncover that need, rather than trying to reason or to orient the resident to reality. We understand that every Alzheimer’s patient is different and every patient has a challenging behavior. Many of those behaviors are triggered by confrontational approaches of the caregiver. We believe that a staff that understands the psychology of dementia and is trained to redirect the patient’s anger or frustration can curb restlessness and aggression.

Dementia
Dementia sufferers experience a progressive inability to remember, reason, solve problems, interpret the environment, and communicate. In many instances, the only way the patient can communicate is by shouting, pushing, or slapping. Understanding why a patient is behaving in a particular manner is essential to helping them recover a feeling of well-being. Most often, the resident is trying to say something or express his fears or anxieties. Occasionally the source may be constipation, or is unable to locate the restroom, or is in pain.

Memory Loss
One of the most effective ways of relating to an individual with dementia is through meaningful activities. An effective activities program is not just about scheduling activities or games to comply with state regulations. When there is a lack of appropriate stimulation, or too much inappropriate stimulation, the resident will respond in a negative manner such as becoming agitated or having angry outbursts. For this reason, our planned activities are simple and limited.

Mt. Carmel's planned activities include religious or popular sing-along songs as well as activities similar to those at a children's day care center. We believe activities must involve one-on-one interaction with the individual in every aspect of a person's day. Activities can be as simple  as making eye contact, touching, calling the individual by his or her name, or making jokes for them. Other examples of meaningful activities include: personal care time, nail care, make-up sessions, eating, walking, and even looking out a window into the garden.

Caregivers should be aware of the individual's life story and social background to help create a reminiscent environment. Everyone lives life to a rhythm; some are alert in the morning, while others function best in the afternoon. Caregivers must know the rhythm of the resident in order to interact with them effectively. Through recognizing the resident's individual needs, Mount Carmel creates a positive living environment for all of our Alzheimer's patients.

Creation of The Mount Carmel Alzheimer's Unit
The Mount Carmel Alzheimer's Unit was created in 1986 to meet the needs of area Alzheimer's patients. Our behavior management team includes the administrator, the director of nursing and selected care givers. This team meets on a regular basis with our house physician to discuss the physical and emotional needs of our residents and to coordinate the treatment plan. For urgent matters, our physician is only a phone call away. For those residents who choose to keep their own physician, they will also benefit from our expertise. Our recommendations are communicated to the resident's family or physician. In all cases, the family is kept informed and are welcomed to join the monthly meeting. Our goal is to keep tranquilizer and psychoactive drugs use to a minimum. Our ultimate objective is to keep our residents safe, clean, content, comfortable, well nourished and stress free.

Hallucination and delusion are common in Alzheimer’s Disease. Instead of directing the patient to reality, we believe that we must recognize the resident’s own sense of reality. A professionally trained staff is essential in helping the Alzheimer’s patient feel more comfortable with their current environment.

Care By Design - A Feeling of Home
At Mount Carmel Personal Care Home, caring for a resident with Alzheimer’s is not only a matter of defusing crisis, it is also care by design. Much attention was made to the interior space to reflect safety, security, and comfort without compromising the residential impression. The home-like setting creates a recognizable familiarity, promises privacy, and encourages socialization and family involvement. Because Sundown Syndrome can be a problem for Alzheimer’s patients, large windows and skylights give the impression of openness and reduce day/night confusion.

While maintaining a home-like atmosphere, our environment addresses the unique cognitive and physical needs of the dementia population. The light walls have a relaxing effect on the mood; large windows provide stimulation and enhance residence perception of their environment.

Wandering is one of the symptoms of dementia that is difficult to treat medically. The best way to curtail wandering is to give residents a place to wander safely. The floor of the facility and its outdoor courtyard were designed for this purpose. Wide circular hallways which lead to different sitting areas with large windows gives residents somewhere to look, something to do, a place to go, and establish a therapeutic goal by creating an achievable destination. Sensitivity to the frail resident led to the downsizing of the living space creating small neighborhood clusters on the scale of a private home. To reduce confusion, we have also used familiar furniture and materials, and taken care in placing restrooms and sitting areas in common sense locations.

Pet Therapy
Pets can be extremely helpful in reducing stress levels and improve one's health. Our residents at Mt. Carmel seem to enjoy the company of our dog Sandy and our cat, "Tolby". Although Sandy is the dog's official name, he responds to any name that a resident may choose to give him. He seems to play the game very well. Sandy, who is a Labrador Retriever, has successfully completed an obedience course and stays in the front yard at all times.

Outdoor Living Space
The outdoor environment is an integral part of the living space and our philosophy of care. Outdoor space helps the resident feel connected to the world around them. Walking outdoors also helps reduce anxiety and agitation associated with dementia. Two safe outdoor spaces are available for activities: a courtyard with sitting area and a fenced yard with walking gardens. Residents also have the choice of sitting on the front porch and watching the world pass by.

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