In home care for seniors with dementia is an ideal option for families. Dementia can impact memory, language, communication, visual perception, judgement, logic and attentiveness and concentration, so it is important to understand all of the care options available to your family.
Dementia is a blanket term for a degenerative brain condition that weakens cognitive capabilities, so this effects memory and processing abilities and can seriously impair a person’s capacity to carry out daily activities. Also, age can be a factor, though not in all cases. It’s important to recognize the early signs of dementia in our elderly family members, so we can help minimize potentially negative long-term effects.
In Home Care for Seniors with Dementia May Be the Best Solution
Being an in-home caregiver for our loved ones who have dementia can be gratifying and fulfilling, but also demanding and draining to the caregiver’s health, so the time often comes when families research alternative options. It’s important to relieve some of the emotional and physical stress related to caregiving, so families often consider in-home care to preserve family dynamics. The in-home care agency assumes the role as caregiver, so it provides relief to the family. Sometimes family members just want to be a husband or wife, son or daughter, and not a caregiver, so this arrangement works perfectly.
If this sounds like your family’s situation, Dementia home care may be the best solution, as there are a wide range of services that you can’t find in a care community or assistive home. Care can be sparce at these facilities, however with in-home care one-on-one care is provided, along with customization to meet your loved ones needs and budget. The majority of elderly loved ones would prefer to remain home rather than in assisted living, this way they can maintain being independent, while retaining connections to family, friends, and social networks. In home care offers the perfect solution, so we welcome you to learn more about Assisting Hands Home Care.
When Caring for those with Dementia
People with dementia have impairments in vision, hearing, memory, communication, reasoning, and processing skills that affect their daily activities. It can be very scary and upsetting for your loved one to depend on your assistance, so being understanding and gentle can go a long way towards creating a comfortable atmosphere for them at home. There are other practical solutions, so getting familiar with this list can help:
Establishing a simple schedule in their routine
Setting reminders and creating lists, placing them in a commonly used space
Assisting them, if necessary, while encouraging autonomy
Labeling commonly used items
Using a calm voice
Being respectful and patient
Keeping up with the news and current events
Use of a calendar
Placing images on cabinets and drawers of the items in it
Symptoms may worsen or you may be dealing with other struggles, so please schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss further steps towards care for your loved ones or alternative treatments and services. -Chloe McGrath
Assisting Hands Home Care in Rockford Can Help
At Assisting Hands home care, we understand what you and your loved ones are going through because we help people just like you every day. You can depend on our in-home care services to enrich the lives of your loved ones while providing peace of mind for you and your family. This is done through services including, but not limited to, personal care and grooming, medication and other reminders, promoting recreational activities, decluttering, and setting a simple schedule. We can be there for every step of the way, so call us today at 815-884-CARE to schedule a care assessment and conversation with an Assisting Hands professional!
Call Assisting Hands Rockford at (815) 884-CARE or click here to message us https://assistinghands.com/100/illinois/rockford/contact-us/
References
Havrilla, S., & Johnston, D. (2022, June 29). Dementia care: Keeping loved ones safe and happy at home. Dementia Care: Keeping Loved Ones Safe and Happy at Home | Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved December 25, 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/safe-and-happy-at-home
Savvas et al. (2021). Promoting independence through quality dementia care at home (pitch): A research protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial. Trials. Retrieved December 25, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34930422/
Sriram et al. (2019). Informal carers’ experience of assistive technology use in dementia care at home: A systematic review. BMC geriatrics. Retrieved December 25, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31196003/
Tips for caregivers and families of people with dementia: National Institute on Aging. Alzheimers.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved December 25, 2022, from https://www.alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/tips-caregivers
Transform your home into a supportive environment for a loved one with dementia. The Ohio Council for Cognitive Health. (2020, August 4). Retrieved December 25, 2022, from https://ocfch.org/hand-in-hand/transform-your-home/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Dementia – Home Care: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. Retrieved December 25, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007428.htm
