How Nursing Homes Support Memory Care and Dementia Patients

Curious what nursing homes really do to help dementia patients?

Memory care is becoming one of healthcare’s most important focuses. Millions of Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s and dementia-related conditions. Nursing homes are changing their entire facility models to better support memory care patients.

Here’s what you need to know:

Memory care requires much more than traditional medical support. Residents need specialised furniture, carefully designed spaces, and trained caregivers.

The environment can make all the difference in quality of life.

In this article we breakdown everything nursing homes do to improve life for memory care patients. Specific dining chairs for care homes, specialised dementia units, and caregiver training all play a part you might not have considered.

What You’ll Learn…

• Why Memory Care is More Important Than Ever
• Importance of Environment When Supporting Dementia Patients
• Dining Rooms and Their Impact on Memory Care
• Additional Specialised Memory Care Features to Look For
• Caregiver Training

Why Memory Care is More Important Than Ever

Memory care is a hot topic when it comes to nursing homes nationwide.

Let’s start with the facts. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. As our population continues to age, that number is expected to grow exponentially.

But did you know:

Almost half of all long term nursing home residents have some form of dementia. The statistics become even more staggering once you dive deeper into who needs memory care.

These patients aren’t able to function without additional support. They need places designed specifically for their unique situation.

That’s where nursing home furniture plays an important role. The right chairs and layout can build an environment that supports their safety and independence.

Investment in memory care has been shown to produce positive results as well. Research shows that nursing homes with dedicated dementia care units provide better quality care than their counterparts. These studies have shown:

• Fewer hospitalisations
• Decreased use of physical restraints
• Residents exhibit less signs of depression

The Role of Environment When Supporting Dementia Patients

A dementia patient’s environment heavily impacts their everyday life.

Pause for a second and think about what it feels like to have dementia. Things that we take for granted like reading become more difficult. Memory care patients can become easily confused with too much stimulation.

Simple and organised is the way to go.

Care homes that cater to memory care focus on creating a comfortable environment for their residents. Wide hallways that are free of clutter. Familiar objects and furniture they can use to navigate the space.

Color matters more than most people realise as well. Bright, cool colours help to keep residents calm. But you should avoid decorating with dark colors. Dementia patients have been known to perceive dark furniture as holes or even shadows.

Creating a clear and comfortable space for memory care patients is your number one goal.

How Dining Rooms and Facilities Support Memory Care

Let’s take a closer look at how nursing homes design their dining rooms to support memory care.

Mealtimes can be difficult for anyone with dementia. Some may have trouble with fine motor skills and use utensils. Others may need 1:1 assistance just to feed themselves.

Care home dining chairs can greatly improve the dining experience for memory care patients. Most standard dining chairs are only 18″ tall. Dementia friendly chairs are higher at 20″ to allow for easier accessibility.

When looking for dining chairs for your care home or nursing facility here are some things to look for:

• Chairs should have arms to help residents leverage themselves
• Chairs should have rounded edges
• Chairs should contrast with the floor
• Chairs should be made with easy clean surfaces
• Chairs should provide ample padding

Tables should also be considered as well. Tables should have rounded edges to prevent impact injuries. Tables should be bottom heavy to prevent tipping with wheel chairs. And table surfaces should contrast with table edges.

Proper lighting is also crucial in dining rooms. Did you know that older adults need 3 times more light to see than younger adults? Tables should have the ability to adjust light based on the residents’ needs.

Additional Specialized Memory Care Features to Look For

Dementia friendly nursing homes take it one step further with special care units.

Research from Harvard Medical School concluded that nursing homes with specialised dementia care units provide better overall care. Some of the improvements they noticed were:

• Decreased usage of antipsychotic medication
• Fewer pressure ulcers
• Less need for feeding tubes

What makes these special care units different from a standard care unit?

Everything is designed with them in mind. From trained staff to safety precautions to how the furniture is laid out.

Here are some examples of safety precautions you may see:

• Perimeter area is secured but allows for wandering
• Alarm systems on doors and certain areas of the facility
• Non-slip floors throughout the entire building
• Grab bars within bathrooms and hallways
• Furniture with rounded edges

You may also see sensory rooms. Sensory rooms allow patients to feel textures, hear sounds, and see lights without getting overwhelmed. And don’t forget about little details like memory boxes filled with patients’ things from their past outside their rooms.

Effects of Staff Training on Memory Care Patients

All the furniture and safety features in the world don’t matter if you don’t have properly trained staff.

Oftentimes patients with dementia have a hard time communicating. They may not be able to tell nursing home staff that they are in pain or uncomfortable. Instead they will show you through nonverbal communication.

That’s where your staff training will come into play.

Employees should understand how each patient communicates. They should approach patients in a calm manner and make eye contact. Questions should be kept simple and easy to understand.

Staff should also create a consistent routine for patients. High turnover rates can severely disrupt these routines. Which is why nursing homes with low turnover rates provide better care.

Lastly, during mealtimes your staff should actively be engaging with the patient. They shouldn’t rush them through meals. While they may be eating with the patient, they should be talking to them and encouraging conversation.

Final Thoughts

Caring for memory care patients requires a well rounded approach.

It starts with your environment. From furniture layout to proper lighting you need to create a space that keeps your resident safe. Dining rooms should be heavily considered when thinking about things your facility can do for memory care patients.

But it doesn’t stop there!

Ensuring your staff is trained to properly care for patients with dementia is just as important. Asking questions when visiting nursing homes is key. Inquire about their dementia unit. Do some research on the furniture they use.