Alzheimer’s assisted living – Frequently asked questions – The Bridges at Mission
Does The Bridges charge a fixed fee that increases based-upon levels of care?
The Bridges offers a fixed price schedule per month. The price is based upon whether the resident lives in a Traditional or Memory Care wing. Our established monthly fee does NOT increase with a resident’s changing needs, thereby, giving families the peace of mind of budgeting their costs every month.
What is included in the monthly service fee?
A complete list of services is outlined in the “About Us” tab of this website. In summary, the monthly fee includes all activities of daily living including bathing, dressing, transferring, feeding, medication management, transportation to medical appointments, special diets for diabetics, etc. Individual medical needs and diapers are not included.
Does The Bridges accept Medicare/Medicaid?
Currently, neither Medicare nor Medicaid pay for Assisted Living in the state of Texas. The Bridges does work with families that have long-term care insurance, as well as the VA which does have means-tested programs that will pay up to $1,800 per month for veterans and their spouses.
Where is The Bridges at Mission located?
The Bridges at Mission is located right behind Mission Hospital. There is nothing between us and the hospital, except the hospital’s parking lot.
When is the Alzheimer’s Support Group?
The Bridges at Mission sponsors an Alzheimer’s Support Group the first Wednesday of every month at 2:00 pm. Attendance is free and open to the public.
Who makes the final decisions regarding whether a person can be admitted to The Bridges?
The Bridges is locally owned and managed, which allows us to make decisions on a day-to-day basis, based upon the needs of families and/or The Bridges. We do not have to ask a corporate HQ for permission to make exceptions to our policies.
Where is the best place for Alzheimer’s patients?
- The Bridges has been voted the best Alzheimer’s living home by the readers of The Monitor, the local newspaper covering the upper Rio Grande Valley.
How much is memory care in Mission/Edinburg/McAllen?
- The cost of all-inclusive memory care at The Bridges is a fixed fee of $4,500 per month. Other assisted living homes in the Rio Grande Valley area average approximately $6,000 per month due to their a la carte style pricing models.
Does the government pay for dementia care?
- In the state of Texas, Medicare & Medicaid do not pay for assisted living for Alzheimer’s assisted living care.
What is the most important criteria for dementia care?
The three primary goals are to provide:
- A safe and secure environment
- Maximize their quality of life
- Maintain the resident’s dignity and autonomy.
To achieve these goals, it is important to create an individualized plan of care that considers the specific needs, abilities and preference of the resident. This should include activities that encourage socialization and engagement, physical exercise, proper nutrition, and good hygiene habits.
Additionally, providing opportunities for meaningful activities and relationships can help mitigate behavioral challenges.
When should you move an Alzheimer’s patient to assisted living?
The decision to move an individual with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia to assisted living should be based on many factors such as the severity of their symptoms, their ability to complete activities of daily living, and their overall quality of life.
At what stage do Alzheimer’s patients need full-time care?
The stage in which Alzheimer’s patients need full-time care can vary depending on the individual. As the disease progresses, individuals need more assistance with daily tasks such as personal care, managing medications, and providing supervision. It is important to consider the individuals physical and cognitive abilities, their ability to remain independent and safe, and any other health concerns that may need to be managed. In some cases, full-time care may not be initially necessary but rather support from services as home health care may help until the cost or needs of the individual reach a level that can no longer be supported at home.
Which stage of Alzheimer’s last the longest?
Generally, the longest stage is the third stage stage which is often referred to as the moderate stage. During this stage, individuals may experience increasing decline in mental and physical functioning with memory loss, impaired judgement, confusion, difficulty performing daily tasks, and changes in personality. It is during this stage that individuals may begin to require more assistance from family and other caregivers. During the fourth and final stage, individuals typically need full-time support and supervision in order to maintain their health and safety.
While the duration of the stages of Alzheimer’s can be difficult to predict, it is important to discuss all options with family members and healthcare professional in order to make an informed decision.
Can you leave someone with Alzheimer’s alone?
This is a complex decision and should be determined on an individual basis. Generally, individuals with Alzheimer’s should not be left alone due to their increased risks of wandering, falls, and other safety hazards. It is important to consider other risks as well, such as forgetting to turn off a stove, or getting lost.
It is important to assess each individual’s needs and capabilities carefully in order to make the most appropriate decision, and it is essential to discuss all options with family members and healthcare professionals order to make an informed decision.
What are good goals for Alzheimer’s care?
- Establish a safe and supportive environment
- Optimize physical health and well-being through medical checkups, encouraging health eating, and physical activity
- Enhance communication- helping the individual retain the current communication skills for as long as possible as well as learning new strategies to communicate including behavior management.
- Maintain meaningful activities- such activities including visits from family and friends, music therapy, art classes, and other activities tailored to the individual’s preferences.
- Maximize independence-focus on providing the maximum possibilities including respecting choices, decisions made by persons with Alzheimer’s such as what to wear, what to eat, and using personal care items.
What is the Mission Statement of the Alzheimer’s Association?
The Alzheimer’s Association 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.