From day one we committed to educating our Assistants in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care.
All of our staff earns the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Qualified Dementia Care Provider designation. Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and changes in cognitive symptoms are critical to providing the highest levels of care and security for our Clients.
Our Assistants have experience and training to:
- Understand the common intellectual and psychiatric challenges of Dementia symptoms
- Manage changing behaviors
- Maintain a safe and secure environment
- Assist with basic living skills such as dressing, bathing and preparing meals
- Stimulate mental awareness
- Provide medication reminders
- Monitor and document daily routines and agendas
- Generate social interaction
- Encourage physical activities to reduce Alzheimers symptoms
Our approach:
Generally we find it is best for a person with memory loss is to stay in familiar surroundings. Our approach is to keep Alzheimer and Dementia Clients active and occupied to minimize their Dementia symptoms. Simple pleasures such as a walk outside, listening to music, activities, games and stimulating conversation are examples of proven ways to maximize abilities and independence for individuals with memory loss. Grand Assistance caregivers are trained with the latest in Alzheimer’s education and Dementia care techniques, so you can be assured your loved one will have assisted living care by a trusted professional.
Dementia Care Professionals of America (DCPA) Qualified Dementia Care Providers
Dementia Care Professionals of America (DCPA) is a division of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), and offers training and qualifications to health care professionals involved in dementia care. Assistants complete the DCPA training and are proud Qualified Dementia Care Providers.
Alzheimer’s Foundation Associate Member
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America‘s mission is “to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families—through member organizations dedicated to improving quality of life.” Grand Assistance is proud to be an associate member of the AFA.
Alzheimer’s Association Supporter
Grand Assistance is proud to support the Alzheimer’s Association. We support the annual Memory Walks and encourage our staff to fund raise and participate in the walks. We enjoy coming together as a group to support the Associations efforts. The Alzheimer’s Association has been enhancing care and advancing research since 1980. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care and support and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer research. Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Additional Resources
Dementia. Dementia is a loss of cognitive function due to changes in the brain caused by disease or trauma. The changes may occur gradually or quickly; and how they occur may determine whether dementia is reversible or irreversible. Learn more at: www.neurologychannel.com
Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—also called Alzheimer disease, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT), primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (PDDAT), or Alzheimer’s—is the most common form of dementia. Although the course of Alzheimer’s disease is unique for every individual, there are many common symptoms. The earliest observable symptoms are often mistakenly thought to be ‘age-related’ concerns, or manifestations of stress In the early stages, the most commonly recognized symptom is inability to acquire new memories, such as difficulty in recalling recently observed facts. When AD is suspected, the diagnosis is usually confirmed with behavioral assessments and cognitive tests often followed by a brain scan. As the disease advances, symptoms include confusion irritability and aggression, mood swings, language breakdown,long-term memory loss, and the general withdrawal of the sufferer as their senses decline.
Depression in the elderly. This fact sheet from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill explains why depression is common in the senior and elderly population. www.nami.org/helpline/elddepres.htm Depression is very common in elderly Dementia patients. Many people with Dementia struggle to accept their bodies changes. Having a Grand Assistant nearby for encouragement and activities can improve a Clients outlook and reduce the common symptoms of stress, confusion, anxiousness and depression.
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