Personalized care plans are essential to a fulfilling life in assisted living or memory care. They are also required by federal and Michigan laws in many senior living communities to ensure the residents routinely receive all the care they need, when they need it. Understanding why the elements of personalized care plans are so important can make a move to senior living one of the best decisions a senior and their family can make.
4 Things to Include in Your Personalized Care Plan
1. Medical information
Although many assisted living communities do not provide medical care, it is absolutely necessary to provide staff with complete and up-to-date medical information for a comprehensive personalized care plan. Knowing this information helps staff best understand a new resident’s immediate health needs and to anticipate changes and concerns going forward.
For example, as explained in the myclevelandclinic.org article, “Medication Management,” in assisted living, someone who takes multiple medications throughout the day may eventually need help taking these medications safely. For residents with physical limitations, personalized care plans should contain information about associated medical conditions so staff can assess needs and provide appropriate assistance now and make accommodations as new challenges evolve.
In memory care, medical information in a personalized care plan allows staff to know what stage of dementia a new resident is in so they can establish the exact level of care and oversight necessary to keep them safe and healthy. It also allows caregivers to plan activities and therapies that may help a resident stay engaged and minimize the risk of negative symptoms. Learn more in the nccdp.org article, “Dementia Care Plan: Guide For Caregivers.”
Full disclosure of health conditions also ensures residents receive the right nutrition, including meals that meet prescribed dietary guidelines and restrictions. Together, this information can also help residents and staff set goals for improvement, leading to greater independence and quality of life.
2. Daily routines
Many seniors resist moving to senior living because they feel secure in their daily routines at home. Explaining these routines in a personalized care plan can help caregivers better know how each resident has lived and their daily habits, which, in turn, enables them to create similar routines that reinforce feelings of security, even in the face of change.
As noted in the mhanational.org article, “Creating Healthy Routines,” daily routines help everyone live better, stay organized, and feel less overwhelmed and more in control. For seniors in assisted living, adding new experiences to a daily routine can help them integrate faster and make friends sooner. Over time, seniors who are new to senior living are often pleasantly surprised at how much fun can be had through social gatherings, educational events, exercise, and entertainment options they weren’t able to participate in at home.
In memory care, routines are a critical tool for reducing anxiety in residents with dementia. According to the alz.org article, “Daily Care Plan,” creating daily routines helps caregivers provide the best care while allowing enough time to accomplish all the necessities like dressing, personal hygiene, eating, and resting without stress on the resident. Following a daily routine also lends structure, which is comforting and familiar for seniors with dementia.
3. Life experience
In the best senior living communities, building relationships between staff and residents is a top priority. For this reason, personalized care plans often include information about a new resident’s past, including family, career, experiences, and goals. Sharing information about past accomplishments, challenges, and other aspects of life paints a picture of who a new resident is, which can facilitate communications, build mutual respect and trust, and create lasting friendships.
For seniors in memory care, knowledge of a resident’s former life helps staff to build trust and familiarity through reminiscing. According to the alz.org article, “Reminiscence and Reminiscence Therapy,” while people with dementia may not recall things that occurred even minutes ago, they often remember people and events that occurred many years in the past. Using the information about a resident’s past recorded in a personalized care plan allows caregivers to encourage reminiscing, which can be a calming activity and help reduce anxiety.
4. Likes and dislikes
Everyone has their personal preferences, and seniors are no exception. New residents are encouraged to share their likes and dislikes in their personalized care plan and to expect that their preferences will be respected to the greatest extent possible. In so doing, new residents retain control, feel valued, and receive the care they need with dignity.
Personalized care is at the core of everything we do at Ganton’s Countryside. For more information about Countryside, please call Margaret Nagel at (517) 206-5000 or download our brochure to learn about our care levels, cost, and amenities.
