Wealshire
“A community of well-being”
The definition of Wealshire sums up our philosophy of care as no other words can. We strive to provide the best possible care to help the person with dementia feel supported and live with pride and dignity.
Our goal is to provide a socialized approach to care that enables residents to maintain their highest level of functioning throughout the progressive disease process. Staff are specifically trained in dementia care and provided with annual courses and educational opportunities within the field.
Our staffing structure will include a Registered Nurse (RN) to oversee and manage the health care of our residents; Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) to coordinate the day to day care on the household under the direction of the RN; Trained Med Aides (TMA) to assist with medication administration; Nursing Assistants, Registered (NAR) to provide the hands on care of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting. The staff-to-resident ratio is dependent on the level of care required by the residents. In the earlier stages of the disease, when the residents are able to do more of their care independently, there will be a lower staff-to-resident ratio. As the disease progresses and the resident requires more hands-on care, the staff-to-resident ratio will increase based on acuity of care.
Programming of leisure activities will be provided by activity staff under the direction of an Activity Director, along with caregiving staff. Examples of leisure activities include: exercises, games, reminiscing, sing-a-longs, church services, movies at the cinema, happy hour, and ice cream treats at the Ice Cream Parlor. The individual’s likes and dislikes will guide the staff on which activities to encourage resident participation.
Our environment is designed to enhance resident independence and decrease stress induced by the disease process. The resident rooms surround the household common space – no long hallways to create anxiety about which way to go. The staff station is visible as soon as residents walk out of their rooms, providing a sense of security. Plenty of space allows for freedom of movement and helps reduce the potential for altercations between residents. Memory boxes outside residents’ rooms help residents find their rooms independently. The living spaces are warm, friendly, and home-like, again promoting a sense of well-being. Access to secure courtyards allows residents to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. The community area includes specific areas for socialization, such as the coffee shop, activity room, ice cream parlor, chapel/cinema, and bar. Socialization gives the residents a sense of belonging and reinforces their right to live with pride and dignity.