Lanterna Rally

Author: Rawad Kassem Abou-Dihn

Publisher:

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 160

ISBN-13:

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheim er, who first described it in 1906. Alzheimer's disease destroys brain cells, le ading to problems with thinking, memory and behavior. One person develops Alzhei mer's disease every 71 seconds. The estimate of Alzheimer patients in Lebanon is around 30,000 cases. Despite the popularity of Alzheimer's Nursing homes in the states and across Eur ope, this concept has not taken root in Lebanon. Alzheimer patients in Lebanon a re either taken care of at home by family members or untrained help, or admitted to hospitals for those who can afford to it. Since no insurance agency or official governmental health agency covers the cost s of long term care of the Alzheimer patients, this project will target a percen tage of the population who have a family member affected by the disease and who are able to privately pay for the long term care of their patient. This intersec tion of both criteria mentioned will take place in a special care unit facility to be established in Lebanon to take care of the Alzheimer patients. A review of the literature on nursing homes in general and those specialized in the care for the Alzheimer's patient reveals the latest recommendations for any Alzheimer nursing home to abide by. An interview with the director of Dar Al-Aja za reveals the characteristics of a facility that takes care of some Alzheimer p atients in Lebanon. A business plan for the facility to be established including five year financia l model and projections has been done. The projections reveal that the project i s profitable. The better quality of life that the patients will get when admitte d to the facility along with the financial profitability will render the facilit y a tempting concept to investors, governmental and non-governmental health care agencies, and health care professionals.