More than 5 million seniors in the U.S. have some version of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms of these memory loss diseases start mildly and steadily become worse as time goes on. People affected by these diseases will experience a decline in cognitive abilities and will require daily in-home care to live comfortably and safely.
Assisting Hands Home Care offers in-home memory care services in Highland Park, IL to seniors affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We will assign your loved one a trained caregiver that can help slow the progression of memory loss. Our caregivers will maintain a safe environment at home and react positively to outbursts and mood swings.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often perceived as the same thing, but there are many distinct differences. Dementia is an umbrella term for all memory-related conditions that effect cognitive ability. Alzheimer’s disease is a specific form of dementia that accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases. All forms of dementia are degenerative diseases that impair cognitive abilities slowly over time. A person with this condition may experience lapses in short term memory at the beginning, but eventually may not recognize family and friends or know where they are.
It is important to pay attention to your senior loved ones because if you recognize the early symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s, you can get your loved one proper care right away. Your loved one will receive care in the early development of these conditions and will likely experience a better quality of life as a result. Be aware of the following symptoms for Alzheimer’s and dementia:
- Forgetfulness: The first identifiable symptom of dementia and Alzheimer’s is often short-term memory loss. However, this is also a common symptom of aging so it can be challenging to differentiate normal forgetfulness from the early stages of dementia. If the memory lapses become more frequent and consistent, it is likely your loved one is experiencing the early stages of dementia.
- Wandering: A common symptom of Alzheimer’s and dementia is that seniors may become confused and wander aimlessly. They may start looking for a certain person or forget where they are.
- Agitation: Seniors dealing with these conditions often are frustrated by their limitations and experience outbursts of mood swings and agitation as a result.
- Incontinence: A common symptom of the late stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is incontinence, which is when people lose control of their bodies.
Our trained caregivers can effectively manage the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s and provide the proper care to keep people affected comfortable and safe. We use positive reinforcement to counteract agitation and mood swings, and we will make sure they stay safe and within the home if they start to wander.
Dementia Care in Highland Park, IL
At Assisting Hands Home Care, we will send our caregiver to meet with you and your loved one to better understand their specific care needs and form a dementia care plan. The care plan will include the assistance and personal care your loved one requires, and we will help create a comfortable home environment.
Our Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care services include:
- Companionship: It is important to our caregivers that we become a friend and companion to your loved one and is beneficial to people with memory loss conditions. Our caregivers will attempt to slow the effects of memory loss by engaging them in fun conversation, games, and activities.
- Personal Care: Many seniors affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s are unable to properly care for themselves. Our caregivers will help your loved ones with everyday tasks like using the bathroom, getting dressed, and bathing.
- Wandering: People affected by memory loss conditions often wander, but our caregivers will help them remain safe while wandering. We will clear the pathways of clutter to ensure your loved one is safe as they wander around the home.
- Meal Preparation: People with Alzheimer’s and dementia often cannot cook for themselves, so our caregivers will prepare regular meals that account for your loved one’s dietary restrictions.
- Medication Reminders: Our caregivers will give your loved one their proper dose of medication at the scheduled time.
Call for a Free Assessment
It is difficult for many people to provide care for elderly loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Our trained caregivers are experienced in responding to these conditions’ symptoms and we will use our memory exercises to slow the memory loss. You can reach Assisting Hands Home Care at (224) 268-9068 for more information about our Alzheimer’s, dementia, and memory care services in Highland Park, Deerfield, Mundelein, IL, and the surrounding areas.
