Safeguarding Serenity:
Expert Care in a Secure Setting
Our secured unit is designed to provide residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia with a secure place where they can work on maintaining their current skills under the care of great staff.
It can be challenging thinking about moving someone you love to this type of environment. Just know you aren’t alone. Many caregivers wrestle with these feelings. The good news is that many of them feel an overwhelming sense of peace after they see a family member having their unique needs met and even thrive with the help of our dedicated staff.
Don't wait. Call us to learn more about the Secured Unit at Ashford Hall, or click to request more information.
There are many forms and levels of dementia. Alzheimer’s, Vascular, Lewy Body to name a few. Those that suffer these forms of dementia can have very different care needs. Both Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Centers provide dementia care, also known as memory care, supporting the unique challenges memory loss presents. However, there are instances of dementia that require a higher level of care and safety. When the risk of wandering or elopement is a concern, a secure environment becomes necessary.
What is “memory care”?
Broadly speaking, ‘memory care’ refers to any type of senior care targeted toward the unique needs of memory-impaired seniors. This can range from early-stage dementia treatment to more advanced care oriented entirely around safety and comfort. You can find this kind of support in dedicated memory care centers but also in skilled nursing facilities, like Ashford Hall, in the form of secured units that offer advanced treatment and security for seniors at risk of wandering.
What is a Secured Unit?
A secured unit is a specialized division in a long-term skilled nursing facility. But what are the benefits of a secured unit in dementia care? Here are just a few of the ways they could benefit your loved one and the whole family:
- They offer more security. A secured or locked dementia unit can more safely reduce risky behaviors that are common in seniors with forms of memory impairment – things like wandering, exit-seeking, confusion and agitated moods.
- Specialized care makes a difference. There’s a lot of science behind modern memory care. Experts understand more about the optimal time for waking, eating and other daily living support. They’ll learn which activities and therapies spark joy in your loved one. That can make a big difference in their quality of life.
- You’ll worry less. Whatever their care situation was beforehand, a move to a secure care unit will give you more peace of mind. In our secured unit, your loved one will receive 24-hour nursing support. A helping hand will always be there for your loved.
Exploring the Advantages of Ashford Hall’s Secured Unit
- Enhanced Safety: Prevents wandering, reduces fall risk, and ensures 24/7 monitoring.
- Specialized Care: Staff trained for cognitive/ behavioral needs, personalized medical care.
- Structured Environment: Daily routines and simple layouts to minimize confusion.
- Therapeutic Programs: Cognitive, physical, and social activities tailored for dementia care.
- Social Interaction: Encourages engagement and reduces isolation through group activities.
- Family Support: Offers education, regular updates, and involves family in care plans.
- Nutritional Support: Provides tailored meals and assistance with eating.
- Palliative Care: Focuses on comfort and support for residents and families at life’s end.
- On-Site Dialysis Provided by Davita: Convenience and Minimal Disruption to Dementia Residents.
Words from the Hearts of Families
“The staff at the Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit at Med City McKinney. They are a true blessing. They took great care of my Sweetie, even at her worst. It took a couple med changes but she is much better, we’ve dampened the aggression without losing Vicki.
Today Vicki was discharged from the Unit and transferred to a long term care nursing and rehab facility in Irving, TX called Ashford Hall.
It’s been a long day but Vicki is settled in and tucked in for the night. I was there when she arrived and stayed for a couple hours as we met new people and got to know the staff a bit.This is an answer to prayer,so long as Medicaid is a thing, Vicki has a secure home.
This is, of course, a secure facility but it has wide open halls and lots of turns and interesting things to catch people’s attention. There is open access to several outdoor areas and there is even a Finch aviary in the main room.
Thank you all for your prayers, and of course, continued prayer is always appreciated.”
Understanding Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program for people with low income, providing vital coverage for many Americans. This program plays an important role in reducing health care access barriers for underserved groups and communities. The Medicaid program is managed at the state level therefore every state offers slightly different benefits and abides by its own regulations when it comes to eligibility. Medicaid should not be confused with Medicare, a federal health insurance program for adults age 65 and older and certain younger people with disabilities.
Does Texas Medicaid Cover Ashford Hall’s Secured Unit?
For Medicaid eligible patients seeking care at our Secured Unit, Texas Medicaid will pay for 100% of our nursing home care for eligible adults with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. This includes the cost of room and board as well as health care services, personal care services, meals, and any memory care services provided at the facility. Only nursing homes licensed and certified as a Medicaid Nursing Facility (NF) can accept Medicaid patients.
While memory care can be provided in a variety of settings aside from Skilled Nursing facilities, the Medicaid room and board coverage does not apply to assisted living communities, continuing care retirement communities, adult day health care centers, and in the patient’s own home. However, Medicaid may pay for some memory care services provided in these settings for eligible patients if the facility is Medicaid-approved.
What if the Patient Doesn’t have Medicaid?
Ashford Hall accepts private pay residents into our Secured Unit. However, if you think that you or your loved one may be eligible for Medicaid, Ashford Hall can help you apply for benefits. Our highly trained Medicaid Coordinators will work with you to gather the necessary information. After review of the required documents, we can let you know whether or not your are likely to be approved. If we identify issues that may prevent the application from being approved, we coordinate with Elder Law attorneys specialized in working on managing issues that may prevent approval. While not all applicants may be eligible, we have much success getting residents approved for benefits and settled into their new home in our secure unit.
Please note that Ashford Hall does not guarantee the approval of Medicaid benefits for any applicant. Approval and granting of Medicaid benefits is at the sole discretion of the State of Texas. For more information about qualifying for benefits please visit YourTexasBenefits.gov.
