By Rick Banas of BMA Management, Ltd.
Dan Kuhn of the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association sent me an e-mail earlier this month with information that I thought would be valuable to share with you.
Dan co-authored a new guide for families of people with dementia called “Encouraging Comfort Care.”
While the guide is primarily intended for families of individuals living in care facilities, I found so much of the information useful to anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.
- The authors cite three main goals in developing the booklet:
- To prepare you to ask questions and receive honest answers about the changes which typically occur in people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.
- To familiarize you with the principles of Comfort Care and your role in the decisions that affect the comfort of your loved one.
- To help you feel connected to your loved one despite the changes that occur in your loved one’s abilities and needs.
The guide contains facts about dementia and information about how the brain and body changes over time; what research is telling us about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia; the medical decisions that you may face; and how to create meaningful and enjoyable visits.
Most importantly, the main focus of the guide is on Comfort Care and the six principles of Comfort Care in Action. A checklist for encouraging Comfort Care also is included.
As the guide points out Comfort Care can be provided anywhere. This includes at home, the hospital, assisted living communities or nursing homes.
A FREE electronic version of the guide can be obtained by clicking here.
All affordable assisted living communities managed by BMA Management, Ltd. are certified and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. All assisted living communities are licensed and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
“BMA Management, Ltd. is the leading provider of assisted living in Illinois
and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.
