Help with Alzheimer's disease

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease presents special challenges to individuals, families, and caregivers. Our goal is to help them anticipate, understand, and manage the changing symptoms of the disease as it progresses. We offer an in-home evaluation of newly diagnosed individuals to help them and their caregivers gain an understanding of how Alzheimer’s affects people in their own unique environments. This evaluation is available to residents of the Natick VNA’s service area, regardless of whether they are current patients.

In-home evaluation process

A registered nurse and occupational therapist, both of whom have special training and experience with Alzheimer’s disease, conduct the evaluation visit.

The process includes:

• A follow-up home visit within two weeks of the in-home evaluation visit;
• A written treatment plan that includes recommendations for maximizing function and safety at home;
• Provision of individualized teaching tools, information about the disease process, and potential community resources; and
• Follow-up telephone calls to individuals and caregivers/families, one month after the initial evaluation visit.

Scheduling an evaluation

The evaluation visit should be completed as soon as possible following the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. This early intervention promotes planning and problem solving, ensuring that caregivers will have timely access to available community resources.

Referral to Natick VNA

We require a documented diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease made by a physician. Then, a primary physician, nurse practitioner, social worker, individual family member, or other caregiver can refer an individual to the Natick VNA for an in-home evaluation for Alzheimer’s care.

Our Alzheimer’s specialists

At the Natick VNA, we educate all of our direct care staff about the best methods for optimal care of Alzheimer’s disease. We utilize a team approach, involving the skills of nurses, rehabilitation therapists, social workers, and aides—all of whom have special training and experience with patients and their families who are living day-to-day with Alzheimer’s disease. Whether this is a patient’s primary or secondary diagnosis, we provide special care that focuses on the unique needs of these patients, including the following services:

• Nursing assessment and evaluation of the patient’s mental status, level of functioning, and need for home care services;
• Assessment and teaching of family and caregivers regarding the disease process;
• Medication management, home adaptation advice, and teaching regarding habilitation techniques and safety measures;
• Assistance with symptom management and daily living skills throughout the course of the illness;
• Specialized home care aides, who have received intensive, specialized training in Alzheimer’s care, emphasizing the use of habilitation techniques in the home;
• Ongoing skilled nursing assessment and management of the patient’s status, with the goal of enhancing quality of life and stability in the community; and
• Referral of caregivers/family members to support groups, respite programs, and other community services specializing in the care of the Alzheimer’s patient.