Giving care to someone who has dementia is a demanding job that calls for a lot of commitment, tolerance, and sensitivity. It’s crucial to pick a caregiver who is dedicated to giving your loved one with dementia the best care available when you’re looking for one. But it can be difficult to assess a caregiver’s degree of commitment, particularly if you don’t know what to look for. This is where specialized dementia care programs become significant.
What is the Specialized Dementia Care Program?
A person with dementia who is unable to reside at home and requires state funding (Medicaid) to subsidize long-term care services in a facility can apply for the Specialized Dementia Care Program. If the individual is not qualified for Medicaid, find out more about alternatives.
An individual with dementia who resides in an assisted living facility is provided with a range of specialized dementia care services by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). The program’s objective is to assist a person with dementia in maintaining the highest level of physical and mental health while coping with the losses typical of dementia.
What Services are Included in the Specialized Dementia Care Program?
The array of specialized memory care services consists of :
- Care, supervision, and tasks that are suited to the individual’s particular requirements, passions, skills, and preferences.
- Coordination with the individual’s family to guarantee that their routines and interests are respected.
- Dementia specific training for caregivers.
- Awake caregivers 24 x 7.
- A secure outdoor area that is accessible from walking pathways in a safe outdoor setting.
- Intermittent nursing care, medication assistance, personal care assistance, and other forms of support.
Read the state-specific guidelines that outline the required services.
Program Qualifications
To qualify for this dementia care program, an individual with dementia must fulfill all three of the following requirements. The individual must:
- Be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other irreversible types of dementia including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, or Pick’s disease.
- Already receiving or are qualified for state aid (Medicaid).
- Be evaluated by a case manager assigned by DSHS and who determines the needs for specialized memory care.
Additionally, there must be room in an assisted living facility that has contracts with DSHS to offer this bundle of specialized dementia care services. To ensure a fair division of the programme across all states, and due to the shortage in funding, DSHS enters into contracts only with a small number of assisted living facilities.
Select the Best Care for Dementia
Reputable memory care centers guarantee that your loved one gets the best care throughout. They understand the importance of collaborating with your family and other healthcare professionals involved. They will be receptive to your worries and recommendations, speak clearly with healthcare professionals, and be willing to adapt. Look for a care center that values cooperation and has skilled and trained professionals on board.
The health and quality of life of your loved one will depend on the memory care service you choose. Consider signs like prioritizing the well-being of your loved one, having a strong work ethic, having the required knowledge and experience, having compassion and empathy, and being willing to work with you and other healthcare professionals.
