Family Resources

How do I know when it is time?

At Beau West, we’re here to help. We often consult with families trying to understand “when home is no longer enough” for their loved one, and we strive to make finding the right answer as easy as possible. Is your loved one showing some of these signs in the following areas?

Personal Hygiene

Decreased attention to personal care
Not bathing regularly
Wearing the same clothes day after day
Difficulty getting in and out of the shower or tub
Difficulty getting on and off the toilet

Household

Falling behind on bills
Old mail piling up
Calls from creditors
Neglecting housework, laundry and home repairs
Confining his or herself to only a few rooms in the house
Hoarding

Nutrition & Exercise

Skipping regular meals
Lack of food in the house
Not exercising
Not hydrating

Memory Loss

Diminished communication skills
Repeating questions or statements
Frequently misplacing items
Trusting strangers or falling for scams
Wandering away from home

Medication Concerns

Forgetting to take medications
Running out of medications or not properly ordering medications
Holding on to expired medications

Lack Of Socialization

Excessive moodiness, crying or anxiety
Insomnia or excessive sleeping
Losing touch with friends or becoming isolated
A loss of interest in regular activities
Loss of mobility

Fear

Becoming increasingly paranoid and/or fearful of others
Afraid to be alone, especially at night
Becoming increasingly dependent on family members
Believing that the neighborhood is not as safe as it used to be

Care Assessment

Each situation is different, but we generally encourage families to assess the following areas:

Current Living Environment - Is it safe for your loved one to navigate independently?

Normal Ambulation - Is he / she having difficulty walking, moving around, or with falling?

Daily Living Habits - Is he / she having difficulty with routine needs such as dressing, grooming, bathing or taking medications?

Caregiver's Capacity - Is the constant care required of an elderly parent beyond the primary caregiver's physical capabilities? Has the caregiver become overwhelmed in their new role?

Social Engagement - Would ongoing activity, programming, increased social interaction and stimulation improve your loved one’s happiness and sense of well-being?

Quality of Life - Would placement outside the home result in more enjoyable visits and outings between your loved one and primary family caregiver(s)?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, we can help. We invite you to contact us to discuss these issues with your loved one and to learn more about our community and what we are able to offer. We are happy to provide further insight and guidance regarding your loved one’s unique situation and needs.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Person-centered care is care that puts the person first and honors individuality.

At Beau West, we ask you to share extensive information about your loved one so we can conform to his or her interests, habits, and routines. We design our staffing schedules and activity program around your loved one's wants and needs. We want to know as much about your loved one as you are willing and able to share.

Example: If your loved one likes to sleep in until 9:00 a.m. and eat a light breakfast, a team member won't be assigned to wake your loved one any earlier than 9:00 a.m. Your loved one's meal plan will reflect the request for a light breakfast, and we will make up the needed nutrition and calories at the preferred mealtime for your loved one.

Yes. First, your loved one will receive a comprehensive assessment from our professional staff with emphasis on learning his or her cognitive abilities and potential, and identifying any other problems that impact function. Our Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists use a well-respected functional cognitive assessment method designed to discover your loved one's remaining abilities. Sometimes, a person can benefit from rehabilitation to improve upon an area of weakness. Other times, we use a habilitation approach in which we enable the person to do what is still possible by creating the "just-right level of challenge." This approach facilitates the highest level of independence and feelings of success. We know how to provide the proper supports and cues to enable individuals to do as much for themselves as possible. This is not an easy process, but we have invested in the expertise to use this state-of-the art assessment and care process so your loved one can thrive at every stage of dementia.

Yes - we are not simply trained in memory care, we specialize exclusively in it. Our leadership team has been extensively trained as Dementia Care Specialists in Alzheimer's Dementia Care. We have certified Instructors in place to train all new employees and to continue training and mentoring staff on an ongoing basis. We train our care staff and sign off on their memory care competency and their ability to implement our model of care and philosophy.

Whatever activities your loved one finds meaningful is what is represented in our group activity program and in your loved one's daily plan. We perform an extensive life story assessment to learn about your loved one's interests and preferences. We conform to your loved one. We don't ask your loved one to conform to an activity schedule that doesn't represent any of his or her interests. If a group activity isn't of interest, our entire team is trained to engage your loved one in a more meaningful activity.

Everything about our neighborhood design, including staffing and specialized training, activities of daily living care, the floor plan, and interior design, have been carefully planned and implemented to meet the specific needs of our residents. The dementia stage and medical needs are the two key elements that define the way in which our community operates on a daily basis. The habits, interests, and routines of each individual resident influences the social milieu of the entire community. Beau West is not just a place to live, it's a place to call HOME! Our specialized environment is enriching, safe, nourishing and supportive, and customized to the residents LIVING and THRIVING within our community.

Senior Resources

Alzheimer's Association

National: www.alz.org
Louisiana: www.alz.org/louisiana

Louisiana Assisted Living Association (LALA)

www.lalaonline.org

National Association of Social Worker's Louisiana