Where Do Alzheimer's Patients Live?

Options Reflect Severity

Because Alzheimer’s is a disease in which symptoms become more significant gradually, a person with Alzheimer's is likely to live at home during the early stage of the disease. They may also be able to live in an independent living facility, where there is additional support but not to the extent available in a nursing home. As the disease progresses, the individual may be placed in a nursing home to allow the patient to receive increased attention.

Important Factors to Consider

While how much Alzheimer's has progressed will undoubtedly play a large role in determining housing placement, other important factors to consider. For one, the ability of others in the original home to care for the individual will determine how safe the person is in the environment. Those in the home can depend on whether they themselves are experiencing a decline in their functioning and whether they can be present with the patient throughout the day. When family members must work, there is sometimes the option to take the individual to a facility during the day (as a daycare) and pick the person up later in the day after work. As some people with Alzheimer’s can become aggressive, the patient must be in a place where everyone is safe. Additionally, the setup of some residences may make mobility difficult. Finally, religious and cultural considerations may influence the living arrangements, as some may be more or less comfortable admitting the patient to a nursing home.

It is best to talk with the patient’s doctor to receive recommendations for housing. If moving the patient is necessary, it is important to help the patient adjust to the new surroundings. A new environment can be particularly overwhelming for someone with short-term memory loss. The patient may forget where they are at. Still, when the person must be away from home, objects from home can be brought over to allow the person some familiarity and comfort in seeing pictures, clothes, and objects that have been present in their lives. Music that the patient has grown up with can also bring a smile to their face. Because short-term memory loss can become more pronounced before long-term memory loss, visiting the individual often, even if the patient cannot remember your name, can allow for a sense of comfort and support.