TITLE: Alzheimer life unit
Authors: C.Jochum, JL Novella, I Morrone, F Blanchard. Association Champ’age, CHU Reims, Reims, France
As far as people over 80 years old are concerned, one out of five has a dementia. Alzheimer's disease represents 50% of these cases. In 2010, in France, all families will be concerned. During of the evolution of Alzheimer's, mental disorders precede long term physical disabilities with some changes in behavior. Patients are “able-bodied”, fit, active and can live with their family if it exists and if there is appropriate help in-house, and preventive actions against caregivers’ burn out are taken. If for any medical, physical or social reasons the above mentioned patients are shifted to an institution, very often traditional units are not adapted to take specific care of them (well trained and motivated staff, means, architecture, and so on). Alzheimer life unit is a care house with a specific life model aiming at an efficient treatment of dementia. It should focus on prevention of handicaps and use the residual capacities of each patient as well as manage change in behavior. The above mentioned unit, decreases suffering but also preserves their dignity until the end of life. According to studies, this kind of care structure helps improve patients’ well-being in terms of their behavior (decrease in psychotics’ drug prescription, and physical and chemical immobilization) as well as their nutritional status. This care unit allows formal caregivers to benefit from organization closer to normal life, flexible and convenient. Caregivers must be of course motivated, well experimented and trained.
A documentary of an educational approach on how to take care of this kind of patient in Alzheimer life unit was made by association Champ’Age with the financial help of Janssen Cilag. Its goal is to come up with information targeting at decision makers, caregivers, volunteers who set up this kind of structures. The future residence and their families are also concerned. Finally, this document enables to bring relevant information to policy and decision making institutions about Alzheimer disease. It also allows implementing all necessary means, structures, help to patients, families and caregivers.
Back to Mental health services and quality of life in the elderly
Back to Oral and Poster Sessions
Back to The IPA European Regional Meeting (1-4 April 2003) of IPA