Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment Center & Hospital in Chattanooga, TN

Get the facts about treatment for Alzheimer’s disease at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital

Alzheimer’s disease is a widely misunderstood disorder. When someone thinks of Alzheimer’s disease, they might think of a movie or TV show with an aged grandparent who seems to be losing their memory. The disorder and its effects are much more complex than that.

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurocognitive disorder with symptoms that may first appear as minor forgetfulness, such as misplacing keys, forgetting a phone number, or trying to remember whether you turned off the water faucet. Over time, symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can be significant memory loss, difficulty learning new information, and progressive functional decline.

Experts have yet to discover a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are treatment options available for adults and older adults who have Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment for Alzheimer’s disease can slow the progression of the disorder.

Helping a loved one or family member get treatment for Alzheimer’s disease

If a friend or loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, you might be feeling frustrated, impatient, or even helpless. It is perfectly natural to feel this way. Alzheimer’s disease can put a strain on any relationship. Remember, though, you are not helpless, and the situation is not hopeless. There are steps you can take to help your loved one receive the treatment they need:

• The first thing you need to do is research the disorder. Alzheimer’s disease is a complicated disorder. By researching Alzheimer’s disease, you will learn more about what your loved one is going through, and you can discover productive ways to help your loved one.
• Next, research nearby treatment centers. Each Alzheimer’s disease treatment center may offer different options. Think about what type of environment would be best for your friend or family member as you put together a list of potential Alzheimer’s disease treatment centers.
• When looking at treatment centers, note which ones offer family therapy or other types of family support services. These options can be helpful for you and others who care about your loved one. In family therapy, you can learn more about the disorder and how best to support your loved one during and after their time in treatment.
• Talk to your loved one about treatment. Express your concern, and emphasize your love and support. Also, be sure to listen. Your loved one is experiencing a lot emotionally, so be willing to offer encouragement.

Why you should consider receiving care at our Alzheimer’s disease treatment hospital

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease, which means that its symptoms will become more severe over time. Also, the damage that Alzheimer’s disease causes is irreversible. Left untreated, Alzheimer’s disease can lead to significant memory loss. A person who has Alzheimer’s disease may struggle to identify close friends and family members. This disorder can also take away a person’s independence, making it impossible for them to live on their own. Bouts of disorientation can lead to dizziness, poor balance, and even severe injury. Other health concerns can also arise as Alzheimer’s disease progresses.

Thankfully, there are treatment options available. At Erlanger, we provide customized programming for adults who are struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. Our Alzheimer’s disease treatment program is designed to slow the severity of the disease, delay the onset of symptoms, and promote the greatest quality of life.

Learn about therapies used in Alzheimer’s disease treatment at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital

Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital is a state-of-the-art, inpatient mental health and addiction treatment facility. Our high-end treatment center serves multiple cities and states, including Tennessee, North Georgia, and Alabama, offering acute care for patients who need crisis stabilization in a safe and secure setting.

Surrounded by trees, fields, and seasonal flora and fauna, our hospital provides a welcoming respite for patients to begin healing from Alzheimer’s disease. Comfortable care rooms, courtyard areas for relaxation, and a large gymnasium for exercise and recreation offer a well-rounded treatment experience.

At Erlanger, patients receive the most innovative approach to Alzheimer’s disease treatment, with programming that is customized to meet their individual needs.

At Erlanger, our mission is to deliver excellence in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and to improve the quality of life for those who are affected by its symptoms. We strive to deliver compassionate, effective care that empowers our patients on their unique paths to healing from Alzheimer’s disease.

Our Alzheimer’s disease treatment center takes great pride in our ability to provide care in a manner that best meets the needs of our patients. One way that we do this is by offering a distinct older adult psychiatry program that allows our patients to receive treatment for Alzheimer’s disease in a setting and amidst a population that is most reflective of their needs and stages of life.

This program offers a fully comprehensive approach to care, incorporating a variety of evidence-based therapeutic interventions into each patient’s treatment plan. When a patient receives care for Alzheimer’s disease at our treatment center, they have access to the following:

Medical care: If a patient has a chronic, but stable, medical condition in addition to Alzheimer’s disease, we are able to offer the additional attention they need. Doctors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses provide medical care for those patients who require these services. Patients have the ability to meet with our medical staff daily.

Medication management: Medication is often a beneficial component in treating Alzheimer’s disease. The use of medication, however, is always determined on a case-by-case basis. For those patients who will benefit from medication, our Alzheimer’s disease treatment center has psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses who provide medication management services. Patients can expect to meet with a psychiatrist daily.

Detoxification: For patients who are struggling with addiction concerns in addition to Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, we offer nonmedical detoxification services on-site. Detox at our treatment center typically lasts between three and seven days. During this time, patients are also able to participate in therapeutic programming so that all of their needs are being met simultaneously. Medication-assisted treatment is also available as part of our detox services, including the use of Suboxone and Subutex. Each patient will work with their treatment team to determine whether to use these medications during detox.

Individual therapy: Licensed social workers and counselors provide confidential one-on-one individual therapy sessions for patients who are struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. These sessions offer patients the opportunity to discuss their concerns and process their experiences in treatment. The frequency of individual therapy sessions at our Alzheimer’s disease treatment center is determined throughout the patient’s treatment planning process.

Group therapy: Group therapy is an important part of the healing process at our Alzheimer’s disease treatment center. Our highly qualified staff members, including nurses, social workers, counselors, and activity therapists, lead several groups each day and encourage patients to actively support one another in treatment. There are a variety of groups offered, including the following:

• Recovery groups
• Community groups
• General processing groups
• Psychoeducational groups

Family therapy: When patients are struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, it can be extremely beneficial to include their family members in the treatment process. At our Alzheimer’s disease treatment center, licensed social workers and counselors lead family therapy sessions with patients and their loved ones. Not only does this give family members an opportunity to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, what their loved one is going through, and ways that they can help, but it also provides them with a safe space to discuss how their loved one’s concerns have impacted them as well.

Continuing care options for Alzheimer’s disease treatment

Treatment does not simply end once your stay at Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital is complete. From the time that you are admitted into our Alzheimer’s disease treatment center, your treatment team will begin creating your discharge plan, which will be updated as you progress through treatment. This plan may include referrals to step-down levels of care, information on community resources, referrals to support groups, and anything else that your treatment team believes will be beneficial to you or your loved one following time in our Alzheimer’s disease treatment program.

If you believe that you or your loved one could benefit from the care provided at our Alzheimer’s disease treatment center, please do not hesitate to contact us today. Our knowledgeable, compassionate staff members are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions you may have, explain more about our programming, and get you started in the admissions process.