Dolan
Residential Care Centers is honored to participate in the Missouri
Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Alzheimer's and
related dementia pilot program that focuses directly on the special
needs of the Alzheimer's resident.
Facilities
participating in the program are directed to use a social model
for care, rather than the traditional medical models that many
nursing homes use today. These specialized facilities will be
developing improved care techniques, as well as creating innovative
environmental designs to assist those afflicted with Alzheimer's
disease (AD) and related dementias.
Research
has demonstrated that the dementia suffer is less anxious and
in turn functions at a much higher level within a residential
environment.
MDHSS
plans to use what they learn from this program as a first step
to help formulate new licensure regulations for facilities caring
for those suffering with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
To
be chosen by MDHSS to participate in this important study speaks
volumes about our decade of expertise in caring for those stricken
with AD and related dementias.
There
is an alternative to traditional Nursing Home care, come see the
difference for yourself.
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Press
Release:
Dolan
Residential Care Centers was honored to be chosen to participate
in Missouri's new pilot program that focuses on the special
needs of the Alzheimer's sufferer.
Gov. Mel Carnahan today announced a new state program to
improve the long-term care of people with Alzheime's disease.
Sixteen care facilities throughout the state will participate
in the pilot program and focus on the special needs of Alzheimer's
patients.
"Placing a parent or grandparent in a nursing home
is never an easy decision for a family, but this program
will help provide the best care with special attention on
the unique needs of Alzheimer's patients," Carnahan
said.
Legislation signed by Carnahan last year established the
program within the state Division of Aging and authorizes
the licensing of 300 new beds at long-term care facilities
as well as a 120-bd stand-alone facility that cares exclusively
for Alzheimer's sufferers. The program is an initial step
in establishing a new state licensure category for long-term
facilities that provide care for Alzheimer's patients.
Participating facilities are directed to use a social model
for care rather than the institutional medical model used
at many nursing homes. Because mental confusion, rather
than medical problems, is often the primary concern for
Alzheimer's patients, an emphasis on social interaction
among staff and residents is used to maintain skills and
abilities and delay the patients' decline.
"Alzheimer's disease is a special condition that requires
special treatment," Carnahan said. "New research
tells us that there are ways that the quality of life for
these patients can be improved, and this program will help
us do that. It will also help families who are dealing with
the many challenges that come with caring for a family member
with this condition."
The
pilot projects must met safety standards equivalent to those
required of skilled nursing facilities in Missouri. They
also will be inspected twice a year to evaluate the success
of the program.
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