Interdisciplinary Approach Improves Dementia Care
Caregivers at ComfortCare Homes Wichita receive specialized training to provide well-rounded care
At ComfortCare Homes Wichita, KS, we are dedicated to providing the best dementia care for our Residents. To live up to this goal, we have made a renewed effort to caregiver training. Care practices for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease are changing as more is learned about the causes, symptoms, and development of the disease. A major focus of our caregiver training is Interdisciplinary Practices in Dementia Care.
What is Interdisciplinary Care?
An interdisciplinary, or multi-team, approach to dementia care involves all aspects of the disease. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease that affects how the brain functions. This, in turn, impacts memory, speech, cognitive skills, and behavior. Interdisciplinary care uses a variety of methods to manage these symptoms and ease the effects on seniors living with the disease.
A memory care specialist, usually a medical professional with a background in neurology, is a natural fit for dementia care. With interdisciplinary care, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists, social workers, and even spiritual guides influence the Alzheimer’s care plan.
An interdisciplinary approach to managing dementia is beneficial because no single healthcare specialty has the expertise to deal with the complex range of cognitive, physical, social, and emotional problems associated with dementia. A team approach allows for the best care.
What This Means for Our Caregivers
ComfortCare Homes Wichita caregivers are trained in how they can integrate care techniques from other disciplines into the care they provide to Residents. Physical well-being and comfort is a first priority, so considering the roles and responsibilities of nurses and physical therapists is important. For our caregivers this means monitoring and recording symptoms, ensuring medications are taken properly, ensure safe mobility, and promote exercise.
Caregivers are also trained to help Residents manage Activities of Daily Living (ADL). This comes from the Occupational team within the interdisciplinary approach. Caregivers adapt tasks to make them manageable for Residents in all stages of dementia. This includes help with meals and feeding, dressing and grooming, personal hygiene, and more.
ComfortCare Homes Wichita also provides families with the resources and support needed to manage the burden of a chronic illness. This comes from the social work and spiritual guidance team within the interdisciplinary approach. Our caregivers, care coordinators, and entire residential staff work with families to help ensure that they feel supported through the dementia care process.
Providing professional, loving care to seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is not a one-man job. We take pride in learning from other disciplines to improve our dementia care. Proper medication won’t be effective without nutrition just as physical wellness does not take importance over emotional and mental health. Comfort Care Homes Wichita understands that all aspects of our Residents’ lives must be considered when creating a dementia care plan.
Our caregivers are specially trained to implement a variety of care techniques to meet the unique needs of each Resident. Our team’s ability to integrate the successful practices of other disciplines makes our dementia care different from the rest. If you are seeking care for a loved one, please visit our site to learn more.
Resources:
Multidisciplinary Approaches to Dementia Care – Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
Better Palliative Care for People With Dementia – BioMed Central
For more information about our caregiver training or senior care services provided by ComfortCare Homes, please call our office at (316) 685-3322.