Aκtios Elderly Care Units

Name of good practice Aκtios Elderly Care Units
Name of organisation Aκtios Elderly Care Units
Website https://www.aktios.gr/
Email Address info@aktios.gr
City, Country Athens, Greece
Sector Elderly care

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Aktios, a colorful and vivid organization of elderly care with a capacity of 270 beds in 4 unit (4 different Municipalities in Athens). The organization emphasizes in hospitality services, nursing care as well as stroke and bone fracture rehabilitation and provides specialized services for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Their main concern is to maintain the home environment and provide a care setting where residents and guests feel as safe and comfortable as they would at home, while at the same time they may enjoy hospitality and specialized psycho geriatric services.

Aktios employs specialized scientists and competent health professionals. Our model of working with people with dementia is presented in conferences and educational programs, our stuff is constantly earning recognition in their field and our units have become internship and educational settings, places to visit and find occupation for new scientists.

Aktios follows a dynamic functioning model that emphasizes occupation and mobilization rather than passive care. During the day activities groups take place as well as exercise groups whereas trained physiotherapists can provide individual intervention for mobility and muscular empowerment. They also organise training seminars of the family concerning the behaviour in people with dementia. At the same time they train constantly their partners in individual care and behavioural intervention.

Short term accommodation

Through the short-term accommodation, an elderly person can stay in unit’s premises for a few days (from three days to one week). It is specially designed to cover the needs of primary family carers of people with dementia and their beloved ones (respite care).

Short-term accommodation is the ideal solution for all those who have to be away for a short time (vocational reasons, need of rest etc.) and worry about the consistency in caring for their beloved one. In a safe and dynamic environment, specialized quality care is provided ensuring the safety and quality of life to your relative.

Short-term accommodation may also serve as a very safe step to get progressively adjusted to Aktios’ permanent living program, should you decide to choose our dynamic approach for the care of your beloved one with plenty of activities and specialized interventions that provide quality of care and quality of life to our residents.

During the short-term accommodation, Aktios’ specialized personnel (psychologists, social workers, staff nurse, physical therapists) will be in direct communication with you in order to keep you up to date and establish a good rapport and collaboration.

Day care centre

Dementia sufferers can be hosted during the whole day on Aktios premises and take part in unit’s everyday activities which include participation in choral and mental reinforcement team, drama-therapy and music team, theatre team or physiotherapy team. He/She will also have the opportunity to have lunch with the other residents under our supervision. At the same time he/she could also participate in a group walk giving a pleasant note to his possible daily routine.

Well trained nursing staff of Aktios takes the responsibility of the dementia sufferer concerning the nursing care (medicating, alimentation, grooming and hygiene or even bathing.)

During the stay of people with dementia at the day-care centre evaluation tests of his/her basic mental functions(MMSE) and his/her present emotional situation (GDS) can be done.

Dementia sufferers can also combine their stay with one of the physiotherapy and exercise programs that Aktios provides. The exercise and the mobilization contribute to maintaining mobility and self-service and prevention of injuries from falls. By registering at Aktios’ physiotherapy programs it is provided free use of the equipment at specific days and hours. Moreover in a specially designed room, visitors with dementia are able to work out, skiing, play bowling, tennis, etc. and to practice in balance with the digital console Wii of Nintendo.

Care at home programme

For people and families who need further support and training on daily care, a care at home programme, is available at Aktios. Employees of Aktios, can visit the elderly at home by appointment. Services like care giver’s training, personal hygiene of the elderly (bathing, daily care etc.), nutrition, shopping, activities and companionship are also provided.

Living Unit for patients with dementia

A Living Unit for patients with dementia has been created in Aktios (Agia Paraskevi). The Unit has all the necessary facilities, the staff, and consists of:

  • Living, dinning and occupation spaces
  • Specially formed rooms and other spaces
  • Cognitive training program
  • Exercise and Physiotherapy program
  • Events and activities
  • Special Nutrition
  • Support and information services for carers

Cognitive reinforcement in Aktios and the Community

Unit is organising inside or outside the unit’s spaces, individual or group sessions of cognitive training and improvement of the cognitive functions by using pleasant activities, games and memory enhancement techniques. The contribution of non-pharmacological interventions in dementia care is enormous and has been acknowledged by the international research and references and is not just limited in cognitive training but also in the successful management of the behavioral disturbances that come from dementia.

Specialized Nursing Care Unit

On the grounds of the Living Unit for patients with dementia, a Specialised Nursing Care Unit operates with increased nursing care. At the Specialised Nursing Care Unit exclusive nurses work during the whole 24 hours. The Unit’s rooms are equipped as following:

  • Electrically-adjustable Hospital beds
  • Air mattresses
  • Special needs Bathroom
  • Oxygen supply
  • Increased night lighting
  • Special diet with enriched nutritional content
  • Passive gymnastics equipment
  • Physiotherapy
  • Air-conditioning
  • Accommodation services for attendants

WHY HAS IT BEEN SELECTED AS A BEST PRACTICE?

Aktios is possibly the most specialized centre of long-term care for demented patients in Greece. The guests are separated in levels according to their operating and cognitive possibility. In every level it is provided 24 hour nursing care, Pathological and Neurological monitoring, individual and group activities with psychologists and the social worker as well as individual and group physiotherapy programs by specialized physiotherapists.

They always try to secure quality health services and quality of life for the elderly. In order to achieve the desired result, they organise training seminars for the unit personnel, they get updated regarding scientific progresses and applications, they enhance communication among their staff and they are always in contact with the world around them.

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