Innovative Alzheimer’s facility letting patients do ‘whatever they want’
Alzheimer’s patients are often placed in traditional nursing homes where they’re told to stick to strict diets, schedules and routines. But one facility’s innovative approach is giving patients the comfort and independence they need to thrive.
91-year-old Winnie plays, sings and gets some love from man’s best friend. For Winnie and others with Alzheimer’s, this is a place where anything goes. It’s Beatitudes, a nursing facility with one goal: to let patients do as they wish. “We try to adhere to their schedule here,” said Meryl Salit, Beatitudes Center Administrator That means patients can go to sleep and wake up when they want, eat whatever they like and even have a glass of wine or a shot of whiskey now and then. Most nursing homes emphasize the importance of rules, but not this one. “Of course we provide their care as needed by doctor’s orders but other than that there are no requirements. You can sleep all day. You can have anything you want. You can have chocolate for lunch or no lunch at all,” said Salit. Residents and their families report a better quality of life, staff members stay longer and costs are lower. Jackie Davidson’s mom, Selma, has had Alzheimer’s for 10 years. In the past, she loved being a mom and even enjoyed housework. “I asked them to give her a dust rag and let her dust,” said Davidson. Jackie says this approach gives her peace of mind. “She can do whatever she wants to do, whenever she wants to do it,” said Davidson. These nurses say it’s about listening, letting the patients make their own decisions and showing them love. The approach used at Beatitudes is based on research suggesting that positive emotional experiences for Alzheimer’s patients reduce stress and related behavior problems. Beatitudes is located in Phoenix. Experts there say some mistakes caregivers make are: expecting the Alzheimer’s patient to get better, not incorporating the patient’s previous passions into their everyday life and being too specific. For example, if an Alzheimer’s patient asks where her deceased husband is, it’s better to say, “he can’t be here right now,” instead of “he died for years ago.” That will answer the question without forcing the patient to re-live the pain.
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