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Note: The Alzheimer Society is currently in the process of reviewing our Guidelines for Care for people living with dementia in long term care facilities. This is an ambitious project involving health care professionals from across Canada as well as people with the disease and their family members. Our aim in developing these new guidelines is to improve the quality of care of people with dementia living in care facilities using a person-centred approach. We anticipate that the document will be available in 2010.
Introduction
First
developed in 1992, the Guidelines for Care represent principles for care that
all caregivers in any care setting should strive to achieve.
We
highlight the Guidelines
for Care in this section. You can also read background
information about the booklet. If you'd like copies
of this booklet, contact your local
Alzheimer Society.
Good
care
Good
care is more just than looking after a person's physical
needs for safety, nutrition and good health. It involves
caring for a full range of human needs, including the
need:
- for
stimulation and companionship
- to
feel secure
- to
feel self-esteem
- to
feel valued
- to
be treated with dignity and respect
The
needs of people with Alzheimer's disease are no different
than those of others their age. What's different is how
these needs are met.
Because
this disease affects all aspects of a person's life,
good care takes into account:
- the
kinds of activities people with Alzheimer's disease engage
in
- the
way they interact with other people and the way others
interact with them
- the
way others communicate verbally and non-verbally with
people with the disease
- how
others respond to their needs for self-esteem and sense
of self
The
caregiver
The
comprehensive nature of Alzheimer's disease makes caregiving
for people with the disease one of the most demanding
of all caregiving situations. Acknowledging and incorporating
the needs of paid and unpaid caregivers into care planning
and delivery is essential.
The
setting
The
disease knows no boundaries. Some Canadians with Alzheimer's disease live at home, where a family member serves as
the primary caregiver. Others live in long-term care
settings.
Many
who live in the community receive personal care, homemaking
and nursing services from staff of community agencies,
and some also attend day programs.
Who
can benefit from these guidelines?
These
guidelines are for use by all people concerned about
the quality of care provided to people with Alzheimer's disease -- whether they are family, volunteer or paid
caregivers.
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