Rising Number of Older Americans with Dementia
The number of Americans over the age of 65 is rapidly increasing, with nearly 60 million people falling into this demographic. However, this rise in the older population also means a rise in the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. As a result, more families are grappling with the challenge of caring for loved ones with dementia. Unfortunately, assisted-living homes, where many individuals with dementia reside, often lack the necessary resources to provide proper care.
Assisted-Living Centers Struggle to Meet Dementia Needs
Assisted-living centers were not originally designed to cater to individuals with dementia or serious health issues. However, as the number of people with dementia continues to grow, these facilities are seeing an increase in residents with the condition. Currently, about a third of assisted-living residents have dementia. Many of them are placed in memory-care units, but an increasing number can be found in the general assisted-living population.
Unfortunately, assisted-living staff members, who are often overworked and underpaid, are struggling to meet the unique needs of individuals with dementia. Investigations have revealed instances of neglect, missed medication administration, skipped bed checks, and ignoring alarms. Shockingly, over the past five years, around 2,000 residents were able to walk away from assisted-living homes or were left unattended outdoors, resulting in nearly 100 deaths.
Call for Systemwide Solutions
The widespread nature of this issue calls for immediate action. States should establish regulations requiring minimum staff levels based on the patient population size. Currently, only 13 states have such rules in place. Additionally, assisted-living staff members need training to understand dementia and how to compassionately care for residents with the condition. Communication, observation, and recognizing symptoms are all critical skills that staff should possess. However, only half of states require dementia training for all assisted-living staff, and just nine states mandate at least six hours of instruction.
Moreover, states should mandate the use of proven effective training courses and require facilities
