So, I was looking at this website www.nccdp.org for The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.  It’s a great resource for all things dementia-related.  As I’m browsing around, this link catches my eye:  Fake Bus Stop Keeps Alzheimer’s Patients from Wandering Off So, basically you build a non-working bus stop inside your facility or dementia unit complete with sign and bench.  The...

Something interesting I’m finding in many facilities, and let me tell you, I’m a little upset over it.  Apparently, there are nursing home administrators out there that are telling their facilities that no resident can have mental health services while they’re on Medicare Part A.  What?  This is a terrible management decision.  If your administrator or your company is doing this, tell them I’m taking their keys...

Do you Snoezel? If not, you might need to start! The word “Snoezelen” comes from 2 Dutch words, “snuffelen” (to seek out or explore, or to sniff) and “doezelen” (to relax, doze, or snooze).  The Snoezelen experience offers sensory stimulation and relaxation through lights, sounds, smells, and textures, and it appears that it can be a beneficial tool in the treatment of individuals with mental health...

Do you have residents yelling their heads off? Wandering excessively into the wrong rooms? Elopements? Resisting care? Exhibiting sexually inappropriate behaviors?  Or, maybe even a new resident-to-resident altercation each day?  Then, I hate to break it to you, but maybe your behavior management program needs a little overhaul .  Here are a few questions to ask yourself to  help evaluate your program. (1) Who’s tracking your...