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Which best describes their mobility?
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How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
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Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
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It can be tricky. First thing after each meal use a swab, there are ones designed for doing this, and wipe the inside of the mouth along the gum line and the entire cheek area. This should remove any food particles and any pocketed food. Encourage a drink of water after each bite of food. This will also help flush the mouth after each bite. (even thickened water will have the same effect) If you can use a toothbrush with a toothpaste that does NOT have fluoride in it. Brush as best you can. An electric toothbrush makes this easier. And it is very possible that the person may "help" you brush their teeth. If it is impossible to brush the teeth using the swab will help. You can get some that are plain and you can moisten with mouthwash (non alcohol) and there are some that have a product imbedded in it that is "like" a toothpaste. Under no circumstances should you put your finger in the mouth. If the person has teeth and they are not in good condition it is a tough call to do dental work or leave it as is. Most dementia patients will not be compliant so the use of anesthesia is necessary and that is not a good thing. If they are compliant and a tooth can be extracted you are then left to monitor the wound until it heals. And keep the person from "fiddling" with it. As with many things there is a "Benefit VS Burden" when it comes to some choices that we have to make.
Though my experience is different -after moms stroke (before she was awake and able and cleared to swallow) we used the oral care sponges just to moisten her mouth and get a clean layer on her teeth. We then used them going forward with speech as she started to wake up. Someone mentioned using them to check for and clear pockets of food which is a great idea. Im not sure how difficult it is for you to help your patient but speech also have us a very specific mouth rinse for mom in the early days (it was less harmful if she swallowed some). Are you more worried with someone who wont allow you to help or are you worried about swallowing and aspiration? They do make a suction tooth brush (most insurances will not cover it) but I do remember there being another one that was a private purchase). If you are worried about aspiration and swallowing try looking up suction toothbrush. I would also recommend getting some of the oral sponges (your loved one may even be able to use them with your help).
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
First thing after each meal use a swab, there are ones designed for doing this, and wipe the inside of the mouth along the gum line and the entire cheek area. This should remove any food particles and any pocketed food.
Encourage a drink of water after each bite of food. This will also help flush the mouth after each bite. (even thickened water will have the same effect)
If you can use a toothbrush with a toothpaste that does NOT have fluoride in it. Brush as best you can. An electric toothbrush makes this easier. And it is very possible that the person may "help" you brush their teeth.
If it is impossible to brush the teeth using the swab will help. You can get some that are plain and you can moisten with mouthwash (non alcohol) and there are some that have a product imbedded in it that is "like" a toothpaste.
Under no circumstances should you put your finger in the mouth.
If the person has teeth and they are not in good condition it is a tough call to do dental work or leave it as is. Most dementia patients will not be compliant so the use of anesthesia is necessary and that is not a good thing. If they are compliant and a tooth can be extracted you are then left to monitor the wound until it heals. And keep the person from "fiddling" with it.
As with many things there is a "Benefit VS Burden" when it comes to some choices that we have to make.
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/oral-health-tips-for-dementia-caregivers-203144.htm
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/oral-care-strategies-older-adults-175335.htm
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/bathing-hygiene-top-tips-assisting-with-dental-care-431727.htm
Someone mentioned using them to check for and clear pockets of food which is a great idea.
Im not sure how difficult it is for you to help your patient but speech also have us a very specific mouth rinse for mom in the early days (it was less harmful if she swallowed some).
Are you more worried with someone who wont allow you to help or are you worried about swallowing and aspiration?
They do make a suction tooth brush (most insurances will not cover it) but I do remember there being another one that was a private purchase). If you are worried about aspiration and swallowing try looking up suction toothbrush. I would also recommend getting some of the oral sponges (your loved one may even be able to use them with your help).