Thank you for visiting our forum.

My name is Dee Kroker; I'm a Caregiver Consultant for Sean W. Scott. I am available to help people find solutions to the problems they face in dealing with a family member who has Alzheimer's Disease and other long-term care issues.

My specialty is helping families determine the Level of Care needed by their loved one and assisting them with selection and placement in Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes. I work with Sean's staff to help families obtain Medicaid benefits to help pay the cost of long term care. In some cases, Medicaid can cover some of the costs of care provided to people in their homes.

Please post your questions and concerns. I'm one of those people who will find out the answer and get it back to you ASAP if I don't know the answer myself.

Again, thanks for visiting our forum. I look forward to getting to know you.

Dee,

What nursing homes in (west) St. Pete would you particularly recommend for a sweet patient with early dementia? I have looked at Menorah Manor, Egret Cove Center, and Dolphin View but have come to no conclusions. Compassionate aides are my priority, I guess. Thanks.

Hey there!

We've had a lot of clients at Menorah Manor, and they have always given the facility very high praise for the care and comfort they've received there. If I were placing my mother, Menorah Manor would be on the short list.

We've had clients at Egret Cove and they were also happy there. The families had good things to say about the facility. It's also on the list, but the longer list, if you know what I mean.

Dolphin View is right on the water so the view is outstanding. They specialize in short-term rehabilitation so they don't admit someone from home who already knows they are staying long-term. They admit patients from the hospital under their 100 Medicare days, and if the person needs long-term care after that, then they can stay. See the difference? We've never had a client at that facility, so I don't have any direct reports on it. It has excellent ratings from the agency that monitors nursing homes.

The Springs at Boca Ciega Bay is an excellent facility, so they stay pretty full and don't always have a bed available. My boss' mother is at their assisted living facility, and will move into their nursing home when the time comes for that. What better endorsement could you get? It's on Pasadena Avenue South; I have the names and numbers if you want to call them.

Westminster Suncoast is more South St Pete, but it's a great facility in a very nice neighborhood. We've had clients give it high marks as well. It's another facility on my short list.

There's also Freedom Square in Seminole. Excellent care, excellent people, excellent facility.

We're fortunate to have so many good facilities to choose from in Pinellas County.

Let me know how it goes, and feel free to contact me anytime. My cell # is 727.512.4081.

Hello Dee -

Stumbled upon the website, as I have a Dad with Alzheimer's and am trying to get as much information as possible.

I have facility-related question for you. My Dad is in late-early stage. He can still whip me at checkers, hit a straight ball on the golf course and he reads the daily paper. But he can get lost finding a room that's around the corner. And he will probably forget by this afternoon what he had for breakfast. Because of his spatial difficulties, he does not want to venture out of his "territory" unless accompanied.

The dilemma is that he is "with it" in so many ways and the facility he's at - Arden Courts in Palm Harbor - seems inappropriate on some levels. For instance, the exercise routines are sedentary and he would love to play checkers with someone, but he's not outgoing and there are no "clubs" for activities like that for him to join in.

Have you seen successes where Alzheimer's patients live at "regular" ALF facilities? I know it's done and that all facilities have different ratios of Alzheimer's in their populations, but I wonder if it really works. If so, can you tell me where in the Palm Harbor/Safety Harbor/Clearwater area there might be such facilities?

THANKS!

Hey there!

I'm surprized to hear that Arden Courts is not living up to your expectations - they have an excellent reputation for the care they provide, and have a beautiful facility.

Of course you want your father to be as active and involved as possible for as long as possible. It's not just the quantity of life that counts; the quality of life counts for a lot as well.

Some people with alzheimer's do well in "regular" assisted living facilities. Of course, it depends on both the person with alzheimer's and the facility. If the person has behavior issues or agressively tries to "escape" the facility (and it doesn't sound like your dad is having those kinds of issues) then the person would need something more than a "regular" ALF. In that scenario, the person would need to live in a facility with staff especially trained to cope with dementia issues.

Have you talked with the social worker and staff at Arden Courts and expressed your concerns about the inadequate interaction your father is receiving? I would try working with the staff to "encourage" them to provide him with more stimulation than he's currently getting. If he's on the shy side, you may need to speak up for him for a bit and help the staff get to know him like you know him. They may not be aware that he is an ace checker player; maybe the staff could hook him up with some other residents who play checkers.

In any case, try having a heart-to-heart with the social worker and the administrator. If that fails, then I would look at some alternative facilities. Freedom Inn at Countryside, Balmoral in Palm Harbor and Merrill Gardens are all excellent facilities in that part of the county.

How much dissatisfaction has your dad expressed about the facility? If he's unhappy at that specific facility (and not with assisted living facilities in general) then you should definitely find a better facility for him. If he's fairly happy there, then... Did you and your dad look at other facilities before choosing Arden Courts?

You're in a tough situation for sure. You might want to go ahead and look at some other facilites in the area to see if you can find a better "fit" for him. Use your best judgement, and trust your instincts. If you find a better facility for him, move him, but don't schlepp him from facility to facility if you don't need to. As you say, he wants to feel safe and comfortable in a place that feels familiar.

Keep me posted on your progress. Best always...

Hi Dee,
My Mother's doctor recently decided my Mother should not be living by herself anymore. She moved in with my brother. That lasted for about a week. He then flew her down to Tampa and she is now living with me. My Mother owns a home in Indy, my brothers would like to sale it. They do not want to take care of it. My Mother's name is on the house and has never given any one power of attorney. I do agree with her doctor she is not capable to live on her own. And am not really sure she is competent enough to sale her house. She does not even remember she has it and always refers to her house she grew up in. I plan to keep her with me as long as possible. At this point do you think I should contact an attorney?