From the beginning, Hearthstone's founders believed strongly that Assisted Living is the very best setting for most people with Alzheimer's or related disorders, and through their research, presentations, and the example of Hearthstone, were instrumental in making Assisted Living a widely accepted setting for dementia treatment.

The Ideal Setting for People with Alzheimer's
Until recently, people with Alzheimer's had only two options: Stay at home with paid assistance or family support, or move to a nursing home. However, most people with dementia actually do best in a structured group setting that is residential in nature.
      
       
       
 

Many of our Hearthstone team have cared for a family member at home. We understand the stress this causes for the family, and have witnessed first hand how a small family household can become limiting and under-stimulating for the person with dementia.

The advantages of specialized Assisted Living
• Security in a setting that is designed for safety and support.
• Respect for individual choice in foods, dress, possessions and sleeping schedules.
• Staff who are vrey well trained in understanding the spoken and unspoken preferences of each individual, and who know how to support the highest level of functioning instead of undermining the individual's independence.
• Incorporation of family and community with each individual's daily life.
• Reduced cost: Assisted Living typically costs about 85% of the nursing home rate for the same level of care. The additional costs in nursing homes can be attributed to requirements that do not, in fact, add to the quality of life or care. Home care, especially if it includes maintaining a separate household for the person with dementia, quickly becomes much more costly than assisted living.

Enhanced Life Treatment Program
Many residents can live out their lives at Hearthstone. As their disease advances, our Enhanced Life program offers smaller, quieter living arrangements, more nursing attention, a three-to-one ratio of direct care staff throughout waking hours and other specialized services. The overall ambience is calmer and quieter. Pets, message, aroma therapy, soft music, quiet conversation in small groups all soothe and mildly stimulate participants in this innovative program. For those with special dietary requirments, this program offers pureed food and assistance with eating.