Once you've narrowed the field to two or three facilities, make an appointment to tour the facility. If possible, visit each facility at several different times of day. Try to involve the prospective resident in the planning process to the extent possible.

Anticipate that you will have many questions about the admissions process and your feelings and concerns about the future. Discuss this with the appropriate staff at the facility, such as the administrator, director of nursing, director of health or wellness, social worker or admissions director.

The long term care professional team should be eager and able to help make this transition as calm and positive as possible.

Professional caregivers, trained in understanding persons with Alzheimer's, are knowledgeable in ways of preserving dignity and helping them to live a quality life.

The housing, care and services options available tend to fall into five categories: nursing facilities, assisted living residences, adult day care, respite care and hospice.

Nursing Facility
Some nursing facilities specialize in caring for Alzheimer's patients; many others have special care units designed to meet the unique needs of these patients. In general, nursing facilities are equipped to take care of people in the later stages of Alzheimer's, and increasingly facilities are providing a specialty in this type of care and supervision. Look for facilities with staff who are experienced in caring for Alzheimer's patients.

Assisted Living Residence
Likewise, some assisted living residences care solely for Alzheimer's residents and many others have designated units or wings for these residents. Options and accommodations may vary greatly from one assisted living residence to the next (e.g. private rooms, private baths, kitchenettes, etc.). Personal needs and preferences are important criteria for selecting a residence. Look for facilities with personnel who are experienced in caring for Alzheimer's residents.

Most assisted living residences allow individuals to stay as long as their physical and mental impairments can be supervised and maintained by the direct care staff or through contracted services. Many states allow for skilled nursing services to be temporarily provided in the assisted living setting. However, most assisted living residences do not deliver the level of ongoing health and nursing care found in nursing facilities.

Adult Day Care
These are community- or facility-based outpatient programs offering structured activities and meals. Most programs operate during the week and can be attended full- or part-time. Transportation may be provided.

Respite Care
Respite care is scheduled, short-term care provided on a temporary basis to an individual who needs this level of care but who is normally cared for at home. The goal is to provide relief for the caregiver while providing a safe and secure environment for the patient. Respite care under Medicare is generally not available. However, if the patient is receiving hospice care through Medicare, respite care is provided as a hospice benefit.

Hospice
These programs provide care and comfort, without using heroic lifesaving measures, to persons dying of Alzheimer's. This service is available through local hospice organizations and many home care agencies, hospitals, nursing facilities and assisted living residences.

Other Help
Many nursing facilities and assisted living residences often schedule group meetings to encourage Alzheimer's families to support each other. The Alzheimer's Association has chapters throughout the country that also organize support groups.