There are more than 5 million seniors in the U.S. who have a form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. These memory diseases affect cognitive ability over time, beginning with short-term memory loss and continuing until the affected individual is unable to care for themselves. It is helpful for people suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease to receive care at home so they can remain in a familiar and comfortable environment.
At Assisting Hands Home Care, we offer Alzheimer’s and dementia care services to those who require memory care. Our trained caregivers will respond to common symptoms of memory diseases like agitation, confusion, and wandering. We will create a friendly and safe environment in your home and engage your loved one in memory exercises to reduce the progression of memory loss.
Symptoms of Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often mistaken as the same thing, but there is a very important distinction. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe any condition where the affected individuals experience a decline in cognitive ability. Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia and accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. It is helpful to be aware of the common symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s so you can recognize them in your elderly family members. Catching the disease early will help you form a care plan for your loved one so they can live comfortably in their own home.
The most common memory symptoms to recognize include:
- Forgetfulness: An early sign of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is short-term memory loss. The affected individuals may forget small things, but over time the memory loss will progress and worsen.
- Wandering: A common symptom of Alzheimer’s and dementia is wandering because of general confusion. The affected individuals often wander because they are unaware of where they are, or they are looking for something. If unsupervised, the wandering can become dangerous.
- Agitation: People suffering from these conditions often become agitated or have mood swings because they sense their limitations.
- Incontinence: People with Alzheimer’s or dementia often experience incontinence and lose control of their bodies in the late stages of dementia.
At Assisting Hands Home Care, our caregivers are trained to provide quality care to your loved ones and respond to their unique symptoms. We will supervise your loved one if they begin wandering and use positive reinforcement to counteract outbursts of agitation.
Memory Care from Assisting Hands
We will work with you and your loved one to form a specialized care plan that accounts for their unique symptoms. We will ensure your loved ones are safe and receive the personal care they need. Our caregivers also embody Our Shared Values including compassion, kindness, creativity, integrity, and accountability.
Our in-home memory care services include the following:
- Personal Care: Our caregivers will assist your loved ones with activities of daily living (ADLs) including using the restroom, bathing, incontinence, and getting dressed.
- Companionship: Our caregivers will offer quality care for your loved ones and be their close, personal companions. We will create a close relationship with your loved one, which can help ease mood swings and agitation. We will help slow your loved one’s memory loss by engaging them in memory exercises and have friendly conversations with them to learn about their personal background and history.
- Wandering: We will make sure your loved ones are safe if they begin to wander throughout the home. We will accompany them and prevent them from wandering outside the home.
- Medication Reminders: We will make sure your loved ones take their proper medication at the right times.
- Meal Preparation: It is often dangerous for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia to cook for themselves because they may leave the stove or oven on. Our caregivers will provide regular meals for your loved ones that account for their dietary restrictions.
Free Assessment
It is often difficult for families to care for their loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Our trained caregivers will provide quality memory care to your loved one to keep them safe and comfortable in their home. We are available 24/7 at (224) 268-9068 for more information about our memory care services in Mundelein, Deerfield, Buffalo Grove, IL, and the surrounding areas.
