BOSTON: Dementia care providers are deeply divided over care delivery methodologies.
Existing seniors housing providers are attempting to reinforce their hegemony in the sector by either ramping up development of stand-alone memory care models, expanding existing facilities or building new ones to add memory care to existing senior housing communities.
Others are choosing to ape the Dutch Retro Community (Hogeway), but are all caught up in a care timewarp. The care models are changing rapidly and most providers, despite their best intentions are the “institutionalisers” of the 21st century, ruling via restraint and chemical coshing.
Despite the existence of enlightened providers, the vast majority of dementia minders rely on four walls and locked doors.
Here are 10 views and/or methodologies:
2. Better full-continuum care
Many senior living leaders are optimistic that acute care providers and other caregivers across the continuum will become better educated about dementia and will offer increasingly sophisticated memory support.
The challenge for senior living operators will be to tap into expertise to enhance the medical components of memory care. Providers should think about working with gero-psychiatrists to treat dementia-related depression and bringing on board medical directors who have a dementia specialization.
A greater focus on dementia will be driven largely by the growing ranks of seniors who develop Alzheimer’s and other cognitive conditions, and senior living providers that already are developing best-in-class memory care services will play an essential role in educating other organisations.
High-end residences with a full complement of amenities, and a person-centered care approach based on principles including a focus on humor, developing empathy with residents and fostering autonomy is one option…