To begin the process of locating a suitable memory care facility in Gary, IN for a cherished aging relative, one must prioritize the individual’s safety and the quality of care provided. Even if the individual in issue has never displayed any severe signs of aggressiveness in the past, a memory care facility that responds to violent behavior with frequent and heavy sedation or with scorn from the members of the staff is probably not the best place for them to live. The following are some approaches that can be taken to analyze the response of a memory care facility to violent conduct and establish whether or not such a response is suitable and healthy.
Inquire About Training
When it comes to violence, the quality of life for a senior citizen with dementia can be vastly improved by a well-trained and well-supported staff in a memory care facility. Here are some of the questions:
- Are employees given extensive training?
- Do you have specialists come by?
- Are they required to undergo ongoing retraining on the most up-to-date memory care practices, pharmacological interventions, and academic research?
- To what extent do employees receive training on how to handle situations involving violent behavior?
- Is there a guideline outlining the sequence of treatments, and does it allow for some leeway based on individual circumstances?
- More importantly, how do employees feel about this guideline?
- Does the facility’s approach to violent behavior consist primarily of punishment, or does it also encourage positive behavior change?
The responses to these questions will provide valuable insight into how a loved one will be handled in the event of an aggressive incident.
Investigate
In order for businesses to operate legally, they need to obtain appropriate licenses, although these can vary from state to state. Some states may have strict regulations for memory care centers, while others may not have any at all. Some may be required to maintain specific nurse-to-patient ratios while others are not; others still may not need to develop in-depth care plans for their patients. Regardless, learning what is expected of a facility can help loved ones avoid being swayed by a fancy name, and it can prepare individuals looking for care for a loved one to pose more insightful questions to the staff during visits.
Triggers
Finding and eliminating triggers from the environment of a senior with memory loss might be challenging because it is neither a precise science nor always feasible. (Here, “trigger” refers to anything that causes an emotional outburst, namely aggressive behavior). It might be anything; a discussion topic, a movie scene, or an activity. It’s crucial to tell a potential facility if your loved one becomes hostile when exposed to specific things, people, places, odors, or other triggers. If possible, can they get rid of such kinds of triggers? Do you have a strategy for addressing potential triggers as they emerge? If they are able to devise an all-encompassing strategy for avoiding triggers, then they are doing something that is at the very least preventative rather than reactive, which is a mode that is significantly more proactive. When choosing the best care for a family member with dementia, it is crucial to consider the facility’s approach to aggression, namely whether or not it takes a preventative or corrective approach.
