Ohio Memory Care Facilities

The state of Ohio sits directly in the middle of the United States, which bodes well for its representation of average median cost for dementia care homes. The prices here are not too outrageous or too cheap. Instead, Ohio ranks directly in the middle of the pack, making its dementia care affordable for most families.

Ohio memory care facilities have a lot to offer, from clean and orderly rooms to high quality meal servings to regularly scheduled activities and programs. The facilities are sometimes a special secure unit and part of a broader nursing home or assisted living center. Others are in the form of an exclusive community for residents dealing with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Regardless of the location, Ohio memory care communities can help take care of a loved one and keep them safe.

Detailed Cost of Memory Care in Ohio

Ohio dementia care homes average $158 in cost per day, right at the national daily average of $160. The projected monthly cost for memory care facilities in Ohio is $4,750 per month.

Affordable Alzheimer’s care homes start at $95 per day, but typically range between $100 and $140 per day. The affordable facilities are featured in both bigger cities as well as rural communities.

Unlike parts of the east coast and west coast where daily rates can spike near $300 per day, the most expensive and luxurious Alzheimer’s care in Ohio rarely goes past $250 per day, with the median for the top 10 percent being around $230 per day.

Are you new to the state or area and looking for quality dementia care facilities? The best places to begin are the larger metropolitan areas of Columbus (population 850,000), Cleveland (population 390,000) and Cincinnati (population 297,000). They are all fantastic places to start your search for luxurious as well as affordable memory care facilities in the State of Ohio.

Meanwhile, the mid-size towns of Toledo, Akron and Dayton offer a slower pace of living with good access to quality healthcare facilities and clinics. There are multiple prominent memory care facilities in these cities as well. Lastly, the cities of Youngstown and Canton are popular among seniors with a good selection of dementia care options.

Ohio Dementia Care - Amenities

Ohio memory care communities understand the delicate nature of Alzheimer’s and dementia better than anyone. They realize the toll and emotional exhaustion it causes to friends and families trying to care for a loved one affected by one of these awful cognitive diseases. These care homes can provide dementia sufferers with 24/7 monitoring, management of medication, assistance with meal prep and serving, and housekeeping.

The staff can also assist with normal daily routines like getting in and out of bed, using the restroom, taking showers, putting on clothes, basic hygiene, and other tasks. They are there to make your loved one feel safe and protected, offering residents with Alzheimer’s security pendants and other means to avoid wandering, getting lost, or feeling uneasy.

Admission Requirements of Ohio Memory Care Units

Residential care facilities follow particular conditions to determine if interested individuals qualify based on the state’s admission checklist. A potential resident would be allowed admission to any Ohio RCF under any of the following circumstances:

The individual is or has:

• Alzheimer’s disease or any forms of dementia
• Physical disabilities
• Developmental and mental incapacities
• AIDS
• Suffering from traumatic brain damages
• A need for skilled nursing for less than four months

The following conditions, however, would be grounds for non-admittance to a residential care facility that provides memory care:

• Requires skilled nursing that is beyond the scope of the Ohio Revised Code
• Needs more than eight hours of care per day
• Needs nursing care that is beyond what the facility can offer or provide
• Bedridden with very minimal to zero possibility of improving
• Level III or IV pressure ulcers
• Physical or chemical limitations
• Requires complex medical care and continuous monitoring
• Listed on the sex offender registry of Ohio

Secured Memory Care Units

Dedicated dementia care units in Ohio are required to have a higher level of security compared to regular assisted living residences. Given the profile of their residents, stricter security is expected to ensure their safety. Entry and exit points must be tightly controlled.

Although facilities are monitored with controlled access points, residents can walk freely within the premises.

Regulations for Memory Care Units in Ohio

In Ohio, memory care facilities should comply with the regulations set by the state’s Department of Health. These guidelines ensure that the establishments are working within a uniform standard.

Care Plans

Within 48 hours or two days of the resident moving in, the memory care facility must complete their assessment. This care plan needs to be revisited, reviewed, and adjusted annually or more frequently when there are significant changes in the senior’s health.

Additional tests can be conducted for any underlying developmental, intellectual, medical, or psychological concerns that need to be addressed. Residents and their families can seek further assistance from third-party providers like home health and mental agencies if they need additional services not offered by the facility.

Facility

There is no licensing regulation with regards to the design of a dementia care facility. RCFs can either opt for the usual apartment-style or have single or shared rooms. An individual unit for apartment style facilities should house a maximum of four residents. They must provide a toilet, sink, and shower (or tub) for every eight residents. If there are more than four seniors of different genders sharing a floor, a bathroom should be available for each gender.

Additionally, a memory care home must be equipped with safety requirements like fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinklers, and carbon monoxide alarms. A disaster preparedness plan must be in place, and fire drills should be done at least 12 times per year.

Medical Management

A licensed medical professional will conduct an assessment and provide approval if the resident is mentally and physically capable of self-administering medications. This specialist will also recommend administration assistance if needed, and this service can only be given by physicians, RNs, or licensed practical nurses. Certified medication aides can also administer medication as long as they have undergone and completed the required training.

Medical assistance includes but is not limited to: providing reminders to take medicine, observing the resident to ensure the medication was handled correctly, handing prescriptions, and verifying labels. Physically challenged residents may be assisted in retrieving a drug from its container, putting medicine in the senior’s mouth, and applying topical medication as requested.

Staffing Ratio and Training

Staff members of residential care facilities who work directly with memory care units should complete a 2-hour training specific to dementia care. This requirement must be completed within the first two weeks of employment. The state of Ohio does not specify a staffing ratio, but there should be at least one employee on duty at all times. Administrators have the discretion of distributing their staff 24/7, but there must be sufficient team members to meet all the needs of the residents. Care homes whose residents have special diets should also have a dietician on the team.

An administrator must be at least 21 years old and a certified nursing home superintendent. Candidates for this position should hold a baccalaureate degree or a health care professional license. A total of 3,000 hours of direct operational accountability work and 100 credit hours of post-high school education in a related field is required. Every year, the hired administrator should complete nine hours of additional training.

All the staff members must be over 16 years old and trained in first aid. Those below 18 need to be constantly supervised. Personnel working in the memory care unit should be trained to assist with daily living activities and equipped with the knowledge and skills to stimulate cognitive abilities. Additionally, the facility’s staff is required to undergo eight hours of training yearly to further enhance their education and learn new techniques in handling their dementia-stricken wards.

When Is Your Loved One Ready for Memory Care?

From the time the doctor gave you and your family the news that your beloved senior is diagnosed with dementia, you’ve known that changes will happen soon. Once the early signs of forgetfulness happen, transfer to an Ohio memory care unit becomes inevitable. This is one of the most challenging times for loved ones because a huge decision needs to be made.

It is typical for seniors with dementia, especially if they live alone, to hide their symptoms and pretend that everything is well. They will do this as long as they can, and it causes them more damage than good.

Transferring to a memory care unit might be a difficult adjustment, but it comes with many benefits for family members, and more for your senior. Opt for a proactive approach, and don’t wait until your loved one’s condition has entirely deteriorated before moving them to a care facility. Being surrounded by specialists who know the correct way to handle and empower them while living in a safe environment is the best methodology for everyone involved.

Here are a few guidelines you and your family members can consider to make you more confident in the decision to move your loved one to a memory care facility.

Increased anxiety and violent behavior

The fear of losing a fraction of your life is downright scary, and your loved one has to deal with it while struggling to try to be normal as much as they can. All these emotions can take a toll on your senior, causing challenges with coping. Your apprehension can also contribute to their anxiety and doesn’t positively impact the situation.

Wandering from home

This is one of the ultimate red flags because it puts your loved one at risk of accidents and getting lost. If it happens once, don’t allow it to happen again because the consequences can be worse the next time. Never compromise your loved one’s security – dementia or not, an elderly should be in an environment that is safe and secure.

Mobility problems

Your senior will not only gradually lose control over their cognitive functioning, but with age also comes other health complications. Some would be challenged with their vision and motor skills, and therefore, need more help with navigating and getting things done for them. Incontinence is also a natural and regular occurrence at this point.

Questions to Ask Memory Care Communities During a Tour

Bring a list of questions with you on your scheduled tour of a prospective memory care community. It is not only practical but can also make your visit more productive.

For a more organized way of gathering information, you can classify your inquiries per category. Below are some sample questions per grouping.

• Program and activities

- Do you have a daily and weekly calendar of activities for your residents?

• Monthly fees

- How much is the monthly cost upon admission and what are the inclusions?

• Safety and security

- What are the safety policies and security measures that you have in place?

• Family involvement

- How does the facility keep the family updated about the resident?

• Rules and Policies

- Do you have set days for family visitations?

Memory Care and Assisted Living in Ohio

Assisted living residences are legally referred to as residential care facilities (RCFs) in Ohio, the Buckeye State. Special divisions or even the whole residence can be dedicated to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and any other form of dementia. These units are Alzheimer’s care or memory care residences. The Ohio Department of Health plays a significant role in the licensing, regular inspection, and accreditation of all RCFs in the state.

As per state rules, for a facility to classify as an RCF, it should accommodate a minimum of 17 residents who are unrelated. In addition, at least three of the residents must be provided with personal care services and supervision on conditions and constraints associated with age, mental deficiencies or physical disabilities.

Smaller communities that provide skilled nursing care can also be classified and licensed as an RCF as decided by the State’s Health Department.