Ethical leadership in memory care homes

Actually a type of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease affects about more than four million in the United States of America alone. Unfortunately, there is no known cure or treatment for the illness as of yet. The most that may be availed of for some relief is only preventative measures to control the damaging effects of the disorder. It is common among people in the age range of sixty and over although there are few cases for middle-aged persons. (What is Alzheimer’s Disease. Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability. TN. GOV. [internet]). While some patients are maintained in their own homes under the care of family and relatives and hired domestic hands or caregivers, there are a lot of care homes for memory loss patients or those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. In the instant discussion cum assessment cum evaluation, the focus is on those in memory care homes.
Discussion
The primordial consideration in caring for memory loss patients in a care home setting is the ethical standards that should be adopted and applied by the people who supervise the facilities, particularly the guests to be taken care of. Since the culprit health handicap attacks the patient more on the psychological and mental faculties, the leaders in the care home and the frontline staff have to be compassionate, that is, treating the patients as though they are part of one whole family full of understanding and considerate attitude. In one case, the daughter of a memory loss patient housed in a care home was annoyed to see her mother unwashed and improperly dressed during certain visits despite the high cost of the fees. (Practice Panel. COMMUNITYCARE. CO. UK. [internet].) The movements of the people around seemed to be in fixed cadence and pre-programmed methodologies which appeared to be without any affection at all. It was found out subsequently later by the good daughter that the better atmosphere was one which was not so formal but with some fun. In short, it was as if to suggest that the interaction between the people who do the caring and the recipients of care must not be felt as routine and boring calisthenics but must be with wholesome social activities.
It is therefore highly recommended and envisioned that leadership in memory care homes must not be too strictly conducted and imposed as to making the occupants feel sick and commanding them to strictly obey the rules and in stern compliance with facility guidelines. Instead, tender personal and loving care must be conveyed to the patients and the specific goals must be geared to the end that the space of confinement is conducive to achieving the desired relief, petty as it can be. In a New York Times article, life in memory care homes or the disease itself is described as some kind of purgatory. (Grady, Denise. Finding Alzheimer’s Before a Mind Fails. Six Killers: Alzheimer’s Disease. December 26, 2007. The New York Times. [internet]). Something has to be done to ease the pain, darkness, and loneliness of that limbo. It can be so by giving a soft touch and a caring mind which will surely mean a small piece of heaven to the seemingly lost soul.