Care For Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease

In England people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are usually cared for by the family in their own home in the early stages. There comes a time however, as the disease progresses and the behavioural pattern becomes more difficult to cope with, when carers find they can no longer cope with their relative’s forgetfulness, odd behaviour and possible aggressiveness.

If you are a carer in this situation contact your relative’s care manager and seek advice. They will be able to tell you which kind of home would be most suitable for them and give you a list of appropriate homes.

An Emi Home (Elderly Mentally Infirm)

An EMI home is usually the home where residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are cared for. A person suffering in this way will be happier in this type of home than in a nursing home. There are Registered Mental Nurses (RMNs) who are specially trained to care for residents with this kind of illness on duty at all times. They know how best to help and care for the residents.

I visited such a home where 15 people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are being cared for. The first thing I saw was the notice on the wall outside stating it is a residential home for the elderly. I asked the proprietor about this and he told me he wanted everything to be as normal as possible for the residents.

While I was waiting for the proprietor, Mr Durgahee, to arrive I sat in the lounge with the residents. They appeared to be happy and well cared for.

According to the weekly activity programme it was a games afternoon but most of the residents wanted to watch a film on the television which lasted an hour. During this time they were given a cup of tea and cake. After the film ended the residents played Scrabble and other board games.

The proprietor and staff frequently take the residents out to places of interest in the minibus. They are even taken to the theatre on occasions.

On days when they are ‘at home’ they can join in the scheduled activity for that day, play bingo, cards, or something else they enjoy doing. Relatives and friends are allowed to visit at any time to chat with their loved ones and the other residents if they wish.

Doctors monitor their patients’ progress or deterioration and prescribe drugs as appropriate but these are kept to a minimum.

Residential Care Homes For Elderly Folk With A Mentaldisorder

These homes cater for elderly residents who suffer from such illnesses as depression or schizophrenia.

One of the homes I visited has 40 residents. They have a weekly activities programme and are taken out in the minibus to various places of interest. There were three recreation rooms, one of which was kept for smokers; smoking is not allowed in the bedrooms due to fire precautions. The dining room was set out with ten round tables with pretty table cloths and small vases of flowers. The room was bright and cheerful.

The residents were chatty, one young man told me he was writing a book and it was going to be a best seller!

Some of the residents need to have regular medication administered by injection, usually fortnightly or monthly. The Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) visits frequently to monitor the residents, to give advice if necessary and to give the injections as they become due.

Mrs Brown’s Story

Mrs Brown was distraught and told me what had happened.

I couldn’t care for Albert, my husband, any longer. He is a large man and was diagnosed as suffering from Alzheimer’s disease three years ago. In the early stages it wasn’t too bad. He was forgetful, but now he can’t remember where he is most of the time.

It was a gradual process but there came a time when I had to sew name and address labels in all his clothes in case he went out without me and got lost. He would sneak out when I was upstairs, making the beds. The police have brought him home several times.

Sometimes I had to get some shopping. On this particular day I needed milk, bread and eggs. I couldn’t get anyone to sit with Albert not even for half an hour. I thought he would be alright if I locked the door and slipped down to the corner shop. He was sleeping in his chair at the time. I was only a few minutes but by the time I got back he had woken up and decided to do some cooking!

You’ve never seen such a mess in your life. Everything had been pulled out of the cupboard, flour, salt, sugar, tea, syrup all poured out and spilt on the floor. I saw the mess and wept. Albert got so angry he frightened me.

The strain of the last three years was too much for me. I phoned the doctor. When he came he was concerned because he thought I was going to have a breakdown and urged me to phone Albert’s care manager.

By the time I managed to get hold of Mrs Kemp (Albert’s care manager) the doctor had already spoken to her and asked if Albert could be taken into respite care as soon as possible. Mrs Kemp came to see me within the hour. She had found a place for Albert at The Gables, an EMI home, a short bus ride away.

Mrs Kemp told me we would have to have a financial assessment but the information I had given her suggested I wouldn’t have to dip into our meagre savings to contribute towards Albert’s care.

I hastily packed a case with his clothing and put all his medications ready to take with us. A minibus from the home arrived. Albert would be away for two weeks’ respite care so I could rest.

It was wonderful to feel so free again after Albert had been admitted to The Gables but after all the clearing up and household chores had been done I felt guilty. Guilty because I wasn’t able to look after him anymore. I couldn’t face having him back again.

A week later I contacted Mrs Kemp again and told her I couldn’t cope with Albert any more.

She was very kind and said, ‘I will see what can be done.’

The financial assessment had been carried out before I heard that Albert could stay as a permanent resident at The Gables.

I went to see him, he seemed content and as happy as he could be. I felt guilty and saddened that after 40 years of marriage I could no longer cope with my dear husband. I visited him almost every day and broke my heart when Albert did not know my name or recognise me. But it came as a great relief to know he was in good hands and well looked after.

Purpose-Built

Purpose-built properties are homes which have been specially built to cater for the needs of elderly people.

Registration

All buildings and accommodation aimed at providing any type of care will have been subject to planning permission and rigorous inspections during the conversion of a property or the building of an extension.

Before the registration certificate can be given:

• The premises are inspected again to ensure rooms are the correct size and suitable for their designated purpose of caring for elderly residents whether they need residential care, nursing care, or for any other type of residential care.
• The premises are also inspected by the fire officer regarding fire doors, fire hazards, fire fighting equipment i.e. fire extinguishers, fire hoses, fire blankets, etc.