Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in all of its forms affects over 5 million Americans over the age of 65. These degenerative diseases start out with relatively minor symptoms but as the diseases progress, the effects become quite debilitating. Seniors suffering from any form of dementia need specialized care, especially when they reach the later stages of the disease.
Those suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia are easily agitated and confused which makes it beneficial for them to receive care in their home. The familiar environment will help temper mood swings and agitation and put them more at ease. Hiring a professional such as Assisting Hands Home Care to provide care is also beneficial because our caregivers are specially trained to handle caring for seniors in any stage of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
At Assisting Hands Home Care, we provide specialized care services to help those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in Aurora, IL area. Our caregivers have been trained to respond to common symptoms of these diseases and ensure that those suffering are safe and comfortable in their home. We can help diffuse the situation if your loved ones become confused or agitated and we can help slow their memory loss with engaging memory exercises.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Symptoms
Dementia is an umbrella term for degenerative mental diseases and Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia. You should always be vigilant of the early signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, especially if these conditions are prevalent in your family. Catching the early symptoms of dementia can help you plan accordingly to ensure that your loved ones get the care and support they need. The following are the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia:
- Forgetfulness: One of the first noticeable symptoms of dementia is the loss of short-term memory. At first, your loved one may forget an earlier conversation or have a hard time remembering where they left their jacket. The memory loss will eventually become worse until they can no longer recognize familiar faces or understand where they are.
- Wandering: Those suffering from these diseases often become confused about where they are and may start wandering to find a particular person or thing. This is especially dangerous if your loved ones are no longer fully aware of their surroundings.
- Agitation: The cognitive limitations caused by Alzheimer’s and dementia can be frustrating for those affected. This often results in mood swings, agitation, or anxiety.
- Incontinence: Alzheimer’s and dementia patients lose control of their bodies in the later stages, making incontinence a common symptom.
Each of these symptoms are difficult for family members to respond to or alleviate. Our caregivers have been trained to work with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients to help alleviate these symptoms and ensure their safety. We can help temper mood swings, ensure that your loved ones wander safely within the confines of their home, and help with incontinence care.
We can include the following in the Alzheimer’s and dementia care plan:
- Companionship: Providing your loved one with meaningful companionship is a great way to combat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our caregivers will talk to them about their personal history and favorite hobbies to help build a personal connection. Our conversations and engaging activities will help improve their morale and slow the effects of memory loss.
- Personal Care: Those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia need assistance with personal activities of daily living, especially in the later stages of the disease. We are ready to help your loved ones with bathing, getting dressed, restroom usage, incontinence care, and more.
- Wandering: If your loved ones have the tendency to wander, we will ensure that they can do this safely. We will lock down the home so that they do not wander outside and ensure that the home is free of obstacles inside. We will also stay close to help prevent falls.
- Medication Reminders: Those with Alzheimer’s or dementia commonly forget to take their medication which can have serious consequences. Our caregiver will remind your loved ones when it is time to take their medication.
- Meal Preparation: It is best for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients to not try and make their own meals because this can be dangerous. We will prepare meals for your loved ones daily to ensure that they are eating enough.
Memory Care from Assisting Hands
When you call Assisting Hands to provide care for your loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, we will send a representative to meet with you and your loved ones in their home. Our goal is to understand the care needs of your loved ones so we can form an appropriate care plan. With this memory care plan, we will ensure that your loved ones’ specific care needs are met and that the environment within their home is safe.
We know that caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia is very difficult for families which is why we offer to help with our Alzheimer’s and dementia care services. Our caregivers are trained to provide care for those suffering from these diseases in a compassionate way that will help ensure their comfort and well-being. Give Assisting Hands Home Care a call at (630) 948-8193 for more about how we can help those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia in Aurora, IL area.
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