Service and facility profiles

Dementia group living / assisted living

assisted living
Who is it for?• People with mild to moderate dementia
What is the concept?• An alternative to traditional long-term care for people with dementia
• Individuals live in a private or shared apartment with staff available to provide assistance 24 hours per day
• It enables maintaining autonomy and also provides support for instrumental activities of daily living
• Social activities are often offered, dining halls where residents can have meals together are available and support is provided in various needs (e.g. for transport for physician appointment etc.)
Benefits• People with dementia maintain their independence and privacy
• Yet they receive support from social and medical staff
• Safety is more ensured than when living at home alone
Limitations• Not all assisted living facilities offer services specifically designed for people with dementia
• It is important to address this issue when deciding

Day centres

day care centre
Who is it for?• People with mild to moderate dementia
What is the concept?• People with dementia are provided with a structured programme for several hours a day (usually 8 hours)
• Staff includes a team of medical and social professionals who provide specific care for people with dementia
• Activities at the day centre focus on non-pharmacological therapies including cognitive games, physical exercise, gardening, cooking, painting, reading, singing and dancing
• Activities are provided based on individual assessment and delivered mostly in small groups
• Lunch and other meals are served
• People with dementia visit this king of facility for an average of 3-5 years
• Day centres are usually visited by 10-20 people per da
• Day care programmes are cost-effective alternatives to nursing home care and may delay institutionalisation
BenefitsPeople with dementia can socialise with others
• Development of a daily or weekly routine
• Participation in joint activities, non-pharmacological interventions
• Monitoring of health conditions (e.g. blood pressure, medicine intake)
• Enables carers to share caregiving responsibilities while continuing employment
Limitations• Transport from the person’s home to the day care centre may need to be organised
• Most day care centres need to be paid out of pocket

Special care units

special care unit
Who is it for?• People with moderate to advanced dementia
What is the concept?• An option for people with dementia who require a higher level of professional care and supervision
• Combination of private and shared living spaces
• Often exist as a unit within an assisted living facility but may also operate as a standalone facility
• Especially designed for people with dementia in terms of security and safety through locking systems and signposting
• 24-hour supervision
• Staff is trained to care for the specific needs of people with moderate to advanced dementia including the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms
• In comparison to assisted living more intensive supervision and more dementia-specific activities are provided
Benefits• 24-hour intensive care
• Approach specialised for dementia to enhance quality of life
• Tailored to the needs of people at more advances stages of dementia
Limitations• Independence of people with dementia needs to be maintained as long as possible
• Privacy issues

Palliative care

dementia palliative care
Who is it for?• People in the final months or weeks of life
What is the concept?• Provides special care for people who are terminally ill
• By a team of trained staff including physicians, nurses, home health aides, social workers, counsellors or volunteers
• Interventions include medical care to alleviate symptoms and pain, counselling the emotional and spiritual issues at the end of life, respite care to relieve carers
• Interventions focus on comfort rather than cure
• Provides support for the family (e.g. grief counselling) and involves the family in care
• Usually provided at home or in a nursing home; there are also standalone palliative facilities and palliative units in hospitals
Benefits• Pain management
• Interprofessional support also addresses emotional and spiritual needs, including carers
Limitations• Setting of care needs to be considered (in the home or in an institution)

Respite care

respite care dementia
Who is it for?• People with dementia who are cared for at home
What is the concept?• Provides a temporary break from caregiving
• Can be provided by a friend, other family member, or volunteer
• May include companion services, supervision of activities, personal care (e.g. assistance with dressing), help with laundry, shopping and cooking, help with medications
• Can be provided as a paid service by a facility (day care centre, residential facility)
Benefits• Provides caregiver with an opportunity to unwind and take care of personal duties
• Provides the person with dementia with an opportunity to meet with peers, share experiences and participate in activities
Limitations• People with dementia may be sensitive to changes in the environment

Mobile nursing teams

mobile nursing dementia
Who is it for?• People in home care in various stages of dementia
What is the concept?• Professional carers visit a person with dementia at home
• Mobile nursing teams provide skilled care including wound care or injections by a licensed health professional
• The range of services may be individual. Some teams provide help with personal care and assist with bathing, dressing, toileting, eating or exercising
• Nursing teams may be connected to homemaker services
• The number of hours during which care is provided depends on the condition of the person with dementia and the capabilities of the carer
Benefits• Preserves independence and autonomy
• May delay institutionalisation
• Support of people with dementia with burdensome activities
• Maintenance of previous interests and social ties
Limitations• Finding the appropriate people that the person with dementia and the family trusts can be a challenge
• Safety issues around the home need to be considered