Medical & Personal Care
Most of our residents can live in Care Haven’s homes from Alzheimer’s earliest through latest stages. We’re able to meet a wide range of round-the-clock medical and personal needs, and to continue to meet changing needs.
Our typical resident-to-caregiver ratio is far lower than that of virtually all assisted living or skilled nursing facilities. This gives our professional caregivers – all specially trained in addressing the health concerns of seniors with memory loss – the time and flexibility to provide close medical and personal care at whatever level a particular resident may require.
Click each service below to learn more about the medical and personal care offered by our Care Haven homes.
Note: Certain medical and personal services may result in additional charges. Please contact Courtney Goin for a full description.
Initial Assessment & Individual Health Care Plan
In-home Geriatric Care
Medication Management
Continence Management
Many family members arranging for a loved one’s care worry that incontinence will be a problem. So we’ll speak frankly.
The loss of bladder or bowel control is common to seniors past the early stages of dementia and those struggling with impaired mobility. Social stigma and shame may keep them from welcoming visitors into their homes or venturing outside. Embarrassment often prevents seniors and their caregivers from discussing incontinence with health care professionals. Frustration and struggles with toilet assistance are leading contributors to family caregiver burnout.
At Care Haven, we understand that incontinence is a symptom of other health issues – weakened pelvic muscles, immobility, neurological conditions, constipation and dehydration or medication side effect, among others. We manage incontinence as we would any other health concern, with
- Staffing and scheduling that permit close personal attention to an individual’s toileting needs
- An intimate physical setting, which allows residents to quickly find their way to the bathroom and for caregivers to easily recognize a need for assistance
- Removal of unnecessary barriers presented by physical obstacles or articles of clothing
- Careful attention to changes in diet and medication
- Close monitoring for early signs of constipation and urinary tract infections
- Professional expertise in continence management techniques
- Preservation of each resident’s comfort and dignity
A resident’s family may choose to provide a supply of disposable products for continence management. If the family prefers, we can purchase and maintain a supply of incontinence garments for the resident, then bill our cost based on monthly usage.
Diet
All seniors need a healthy, balanced diet to stay strong longer, fighting off additional health problems. We pride ourselves on our delicious, home-cooked meals. We’ve gathered and serve many of our residents’ favorite family recipes – because we understand that if they don’t think the food tastes good, they won’t eat well. We routinely stock a special treat or two for those times when a resident might need a little encouragement.
While we’re making an effort to serve our residents’ comfort food favorites, we’re also doing a lot of work behind the scenes to meet any special dietary restrictions. We modify our recipes as needed. We keep each resident’s individual abilities in mind as we prepare his or her individual plate at our family-style table – working to preserve independence as much as possible, assisting whenever needed.
Time spent with residents at mealtime is a significant investment in their health and happiness. Eating together, unhurried, discourages the extreme eating behaviors of some dementias. It presents opportunities to bolster our residents’ confidence and social relationships, too, as caregivers encourage unpressured conversation as everyone lingers over the meal.
Outside Health Agencies
Dental Services
Dental care is important at any age. Seniors’ oral health is at increased risk. A good hygienist can head off problems caused by decay, gum disease, ill-fitting dentures, medication side effects, infection and bacterial or fungal disease.
Unchecked, poor dental health can cause or aggravate serious medical conditions, including
- Loss of appetite and eating disorders
- Osteoporosis
- Infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis)
- Diabetes
- Heart disease and stroke.
(For more detailed information, see The Mayo Clinic’s website and Web MD.)
A visit to the dentist is a challenge for many people. It can be especially frightening to those dealing with dementia.
To provide comforting dental care, we have partnered with a hygienist skilled at working with people with Alzheimer’s. She regularly brings a complete, traveling exam room into each of our homes. We can honestly say her rapport with residents is amazing.
Podiatry Services
Hospice Care
Personal Care
All of our residents receive close, personal attention as we assist them with bathing, dressing and grooming. We want them – and their families – to be proud of their appearance.
We provide laundry and housekeeping services to be certain their clothing and surroundings remain clean, safe and attractive as well.
For the convenience of our residents, we arrange for a licensed, professional hair stylist to visit our homes on a regular schedule. Residents may schedule appointments for cuts, trims, colors and perms.