Alzheimer's & Eldercare Programs

At Family Health West, we have two facilities that provide care for individuals afflicted with Alzheimer's or Dementia related disorders.

Family Health West has been the area's premier provider of Alzheimer's care since the mid-1980's. Family Health West's Adult Extended Long-Term Care facility provides a protective environment for residents suffering from Alzheimer's or Dementia related diseases. The Main Street Experience, our Social Model for Alzheimer's Care, offers a Family Environment complete with simulated Main Street shops, such as a general store and flower shop, and homelike areas with a fireplace, dining area, etc. This model was created to tap into the pleasant experiences and memories of the past and add Fun in the day. It's done exactly that!

At both facilities, we use a Social Model Approach that is based on the positives, focusing on wellness, enhancing the environment to assist each resident to maintain or improve if possible, and to prevent unnecessary rapid declines in functioning - ultimately providing a "Higher Quality of Life, Dignity and Self-Esteem." This program has been extremely successful and has brought smiles to our residents' faces.

The goal of our Social Model of Care is to shift from a task oriented delivery of care to focusing on the residents' day-to-day, individual needs. Staff members provide individualized attention to meet these needs through one-on-one interactions with residents. This can be a simple hug or pat on the hand, or soaking the feet in warm water followed by a foot massage. In the social model, the medical aspects of the residents' care are still provided with the same degree of excellence, but focus is also on the social, fun part of the day. Our goal is to add Fun and Life to our Residents' Autumn Years.

Care is provided with both Compassion and Concern for the Dignity and Self-Esteem of the individual resident. This is done in a Pleasant, Fun, Family Environment in which our residents feel Loved, Accepted and Safe. Instead of immediately giving medications for behavioral problems, first we try calming interventions such as massaging the hands with soothing lotion, playing calming music or redirecting the resident to various fun, pleasant activities or conversation. A gentle "Best Friends" approach is used. Through the use of our Social Model programs and concept of care, we have decreased medications, improved our residents' Functioning and Quality of Life, and redirected the frustrations so often evident with Alzheimer's disease. The success of these programs has superseded our expectations.

Family Health West uses a Functional Maintenance Concept of Care, which means we are committed to assisting each of our residents to maintain or improve their daily functioning levels and to prevent unnecessary rapid declines in functioning - ultimately providing a Higher Quality of Life, Dignity, Independence, and Self-Worth.

Restorative Nursing Program. This program ensures individualized ambulation, range of motion, special programs to strengthen - leading to better mobility, increased oversight with eating problems, etc., which help to keep our residents functioning at their highest possible level on a daily basis - providing Enhanced Dignity and a Higher Quality of Life.

ENHANCED DINING EXPERIENCE PROGRAM. Food can change a mood, evoke a smile and inspire the uninspired. The pleasure of eating a meal can have a positive effect on anyone. We have an Enhanced Dining Experience Program that increases resident satisfaction. To improve our residents' dining experience, our residents now eat their meals in a pleasant, homelike atmosphere with music playing in the background. Hospitality Aides (waitresses and waiters), many of whom are local high school students, assist with meals - ensuring that residents receive personal one-to-one attention and everything they need - especially pleasant conversation. Certified Nurse Aides focus on assisting residents to eat safely, and ensure optimal nutrition and hydration. This program continues to be a great success and has certainly brought smiles to our residents' faces.

The intergenerational approach of mingling the high school students with our elderly has proven to be a wonderful addition to this program. The students learn and share with our elderly and our residents really enjoy the presence and enthusiasm of the younger generation. It also provides an opportunity for students and residents to connect and make friends.

SOCIAL MODEL ACTIVITIES PROGRAM. Our Social Model Activities Program has been enhanced to provide an Expanded Family Environment that offers an Alternative to Loneliness with Meaningful Activities and Pleasant Surroundings where Stimulation and Wellness are the focal points - thus adding Life and Fun to our residents' Autumn Years. Our residents are treated as a whole individual and much emphasis is placed on the Fun and Social part of the day. A colorful array of group and individual activities are offered - such as a senior prom, live entertainment, dancing, singing, bus trips, picnic and luncheon outings, exercise classes, holiday and costume parties, social talk times to discuss and learn about current events and news stories, children's visits, pet therapy, arts and crafts projects, special dining experiences such as Hawaiian Luau, Baked Potato Bar, Italian Cuisine, etc. Activities are provided in group or one-to-one settings.

FAMILY & RESIDENT COMFORT ROOM. Our Family & Resident Comfort Room Program is designed to provide the best possible experience for residents and families in the last hours of life. Dedicated staff members offer one-to-one Tranquil Loving Care such as additional bathing, massage, music, reading, gentle range of motion, aromatherapy, etc. This special Loving Touch provides support and attends to the special needs of the individual resident and his/her family members. Through this program, families are provided with Peace of Mind knowing that their loved one is receiving loving care. The resident is comforted by tender touch, and can enjoy the feeling of being in loving hands and not being alone. Environment has a huge impact on our residents. This is especially true when a resident is at the end of their life. At that time, it is appropriate to decrease stimulation, allow quiet, and to Provide More Intimate Surroundings for the resident and his/her loved ones. Our Family & Resident Comfort Room offers a peaceful, quiet environment that allows for close one-to-one attention and privacy where grieving and goodbyes can occur on a more intimate level.