Vermont Memory Care Facilities

For decades, Vermont has frequently not been at the top of the list when talking about retirement. You could probably attribute this to a number of factors, from the location of the state in the far northeast part of the United States to its size (sixth smallest in the country), and to its limited population (second smallest in the US in terms of people). Yet, Vermont memory care communities are far from inferior to the rest of the costly northeast for elderly care.

Vermont may not be your typical state because while many other states rank in the Top 5 or Top 10 for most expensive in terms of all forms of senior care, including dementia care, Vermont’s Alzheimer’s care homes are offered at reasonable prices. Currently ranked 17th in our nationwide ranking of dementia care facilities by price, the State of Vermont offers prices far closer to the national average yet provides access to the same high-quality healthcare, plus a scenic landscape of the American northeast.

Detailed Cost of Memory Care in Vermont

The national median for Alzheimer’s care in the United States is $160 per day, or $4,800 per month. Compared to Vermont, which is just $4 more per day based on the median, the dementia care costs are nearly identical. It’s comforting news for seniors on the east coast who simply can’t afford the extremely high costs of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey.

Affordable Vermont memory care facilities can get even cheaper than that, as the lowest reported room for Alzheimer’s care in the state was recorded at $94 per day, while others can be found lower than the state median at approximately $120 to $140 per day. On the other side of the balance, the most expensive Vermont dementia care homes can reach prices of $240 to $280 per day, far closer to what you would expect to find in costly nursing homes in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The biggest problem with Vermont is the lack of senior housing. The state has only a little over 600,000 people and fails to parallel the selection and variety for dementia care offered in other northeastern states that are far denser. So, while fewer people may be seeking to relocate to memory care communities in Vermont compared to other neighboring states, the competition can still be intense due to the limited variety of facilities in the state.

The best cities to start with for dementia care search are Burlington, Essex, Colchester, Bennington, Rutland and Milton.

Memory Care vs Assisted Living in Vermont

In Vermont, assisted living residences are also known as residential care homes. These are communities specially designed with seniors in mind and with the objective of providing them with solicited assistance to maintain a life as independent as possible.

Usually, assisted living communities are responsible for their residents’ three daily meals, housekeeping, and laundry. They also help with daily living activities, like washing, cleaning, grooming, and dressing.

Most assisted living residents have a designated memory care unit where a small community of seniors is established. Their common binding factor is having Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, though in varying stages.

Seniors in these special wings specific to memory issues usually thrive better in a structured setting. The routines make them more comfortable, and their safety is always prioritized.

Vermont Dementia Care - Amenities

Standard amenities in Vermont memory care facilities include servings of nutritional daily meals, housekeeping and hygiene, scheduled programs and activities, personal productivity tasks, and leisure activities.

Well-trained staff are aware that dementia and Alzheimer’s are very complicated cognitive disorders, and thus treatments are often varied. These include therapies to keep the brain as healthy and active as possible, encouraging socialization, and the presence of a loving network of people. Each person dealing with Alzheimer’s is unique in their daily struggles, so the type of care one resident receives may be different in certain ways compared to another.

Vermont Memory Care Admission Checklist

Within two weeks of moving into an assisted living community in Vermont, a new resident should be evaluated using the Vermont Resident Assessment Form. The evaluation must be done by a registered nurse.

Before admitting the resident into a care facility, all rates and description of charges should be outlined to them explicitly, including the explanation and inclusions. For memory care, a written statement of the facility's mission and philosophy must be added as well, and how the special care unit will address the needs of the residents should be defined.

Seniors diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia can be accepted in a facility’s special care unit of memory care. However, there are some conditions that may disallow an individual from admission:

· Requires a respirator or a ventilator

· Requires oral, nasopharyngeal or tracheal treatments

· Have Stage 3 or 4 decubitus ulcer

· Have acute and severe illnesses requiring nursing care provided in a general or special hospital

· Needs two people to assist in bed or chair transfer

Secured Memory Care Units in Vermont

Memory care units in Vermont are usually within assisted living facilities, and security management is already in place in this environment. These units have tighter and more controlled entry and exit points in the dementia-specific wing or floor.

Since individuals with Alzheimer's or any other forms of dementia experience lapses of forgetfulness and episodes of disorientation and confusion, they should stay within the facility's premises. Thus, access points are closely monitored.

Vermont memory care units are expected to keep their residents safe and at home. Although gates and doors might be more measured, there are open areas on the grounds where the seniors can freely walk and socialize with fellow residents.

Vermont Memory Care Regulations

Care Plan

There should be a written care plan for every resident of a memory care facility. This is created by the Assisted Living Residences (ALR) or Enhanced Residential Care in collaboration with the resident or their legal representative.

The document should outline the essential services in maintaining a resident's requests, decisions, objectivity, and well-being. This individual care plan is reviewed once every year and when necessary, such as any changes in the resident's physical condition, behavior, and circumstances.

Facility

The state of Vermont has set specific size and feature requirements for memory care facilities’ living quarters, which are wider compared to those in other states. Each unit should be 255 square feet, lockable, and equipped with a bed, living space, bathroom, kitchen and storage.

All rooms are only for single occupancy. The only exception is when an occupant volunteers to have a roommate.

Medication Management

Capable residents are allowed to self-administer their medications. But for those unable, the management of medicines should be delegated and supervised by a licensed nurse. A facility's registered nurses are responsible for providing suitable training to the unlicensed staff members. The RNs are also accountable for delegating specific tasks to other members of the team.

Thorough observation and documentation are mandated for all prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines of the residents, whether self-administered or given with the staff members' assistance.

PNR medications can be administered by non-RN staff who are knowledgeable about the medicines' anticipated side effects. Insulin injections can likewise be done by staff members trained for that medical procedure and assigned by an RN.

Staffing Ratio and Training

Vermont doesn't require specific staff-to-resident ratios for memory care communities. Still, there should always be a sufficient number of qualified team members at all times, not just to provide the care and assistance needed by every resident but also to respond to emergency cases.

Every Vermont memory care facility should have at least one on-duty POC around-the-clock. The manager can delegate authority to a competent member of the team. For facilities with more than 15 residents, at least one awake staff should be on duty 24/7.

Staff members assigned to the Alzheimer's and dementia special care unit are required to undergo additional qualification screenings, orientation, and training specific to dementia care, behavior management, medication management, and infection control.

When Do You Move a Loved One to Memory Care?

It will rarely be your senior who'd volunteer to move to a memory care facility. Like anybody else, familiar faces of family and friends are comforting to them, and so is staying in a place that is significant to them and their life.

That's why the decision of moving a loved one to memory care usually falls on the immediate family members, which can be an overwhelming experience. They might have conflicting beliefs and may not reach a unanimous decision. It will be difficult, but if everyone puts the safety and overall well-being of their senior loved one as top priority, they will realize that there's so much positive impact a memory care community can provide.

To make you more at ease with your decision and more confident that it is the right approach, here are some factors and circumstances you might want to look into:

• You can't provide a safe and secure environment for your loved one with dementia.
• You start worrying about your safety and the safety of other people who have direct contact with them.
• Your senior is tired, scared, and depressed.
• You, as the primary caregiver, are exhausted, nervous and stressed.
• They wander, get lost, and unintentionally break society rules.
• You need to call the police and everyone in the neighborhood to help you find them.
• Your living conditions are subpar.
• Your relationship with your loved one is going downhill.
• They feel inadequate and prefer isolation.

These are not happy times at all, and keeping your loved one with dementia at home will do everyone concerned more harm than good. Address the situation with a sense of urgency. Create an opportunity where your loved one can thrive better and still live with a sense of freedom while being assisted by professionals who can provide the best possible care.

What to Ask When Touring a Vermont Memory Care Community

Your prospective memory care community's website and social media pages are a good pool of resources when you want to research about the place. It might make your scheduled tour more manageable and less of an overwhelming event.

When you set up an appointment to visit the facility, free up one whole day if possible. You need to give your full attention and time to this important meeting because it will greatly influence your future decision. You need to allot enough time to talk to the facility’s personnel without rushing. This tour is the perfect chance for you to ask questions and get the clarifications you need.

Before your visit, create a list of your inquiries. Avoid making a mental list and opt for a written list, or you may also type it on your phone. Segment your questions into sections to be sure you won't forget anything. Here is a sample list you can use as a reference. If you feel like the answers of the staff are vague, don’t hesitate to request for further explanation. Ask situational questions to address your what-ifs as well.

Cost and Expenses

• How much would the monthly stay cost? And what is included in the monthly rate?

• What are the other recommended services we can avail of, and how much will be the additional costs?
• Vermont has programs for assisted living, is memory care included?

Facility Background

• How many residents are currently living in the community?
• How many physicians, RNs, licensed nurses and caregivers do you have?
• How long have you been caring for residents with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia?

Amenities and Activities

• What are the activities you provide your residents?
• Are they divided into groups when socializing or when engaged in activities? What is the grouping based on?
• What services does your facility offer to sustain the residents’ overall well-being?

Safety Management

• How safe is the community?
• How do you handle emergencies involving the residents?
• Will the residents feel restricted within the environment?

Family Involvement

• How can I be involved in my loved one’s care once they move here?
• How would I get updates about my loved one?
• Can the family take our senior out of the facility for a day?