Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be a daunting task but with the right resources and support, it can also be a fulfilling experience. Home Care services can provide much-needed assistance for those living with Alzheimer's or dementia, as well as their primary caregivers. In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of home care services for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia, the type of services available and how to choose the right provider for your loved one.
As you may or may not know, Alzheimer’s or dementia are progressive diseases that affect cognitive function and memory. As the disease progresses, individuals may require more assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and eating. Home care services can offer and provide the necessary support to ensure individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia can maintain their independence while staying safe and comfortable in their own homes.
Home care services can also provide respite care options for caregivers/families who may be struggling to provide round-the-clock care for their loved ones. Caregiving can be physically and emotionally exhausting and it’s important for caregivers to take breaks to avoid burnout.
Let’s consider types of home care services for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia for you to consider.
There are several types of home care services available for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia and not all agencies that provide home care services are the same. It’s important for you to make sure when talking to providers, that you compare them on the same levels (apples to apples):
This is a very important question. Choosing the right home care provider for your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia is crucial. If you select the wrong home care provider, it can leave a bad taste in your mouth and make you gun shy to use home care services again. Taking the extra time up front to qualify the home care providers you talk with, is definitely worth the time. Considering the following:
As you may or may not know, Alzheimer’s or dementia are progressive diseases that affect cognitive function and memory. As the disease progresses, individuals may require more assistance with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and eating. Home care services can offer and provide the necessary support to ensure individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia can maintain their independence while staying safe and comfortable in their own homes.
Home care services can also provide respite care options for caregivers/families who may be struggling to provide round-the-clock care for their loved ones. Caregiving can be physically and emotionally exhausting and it’s important for caregivers to take breaks to avoid burnout.
Let’s consider types of home care services for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia for you to consider.
There are several types of home care services available for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia and not all agencies that provide home care services are the same. It’s important for you to make sure when talking to providers, that you compare them on the same levels (apples to apples):
- Personal Care Services: Personal care services include assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and assistance with ambulation.
- Companion Care Services: Non-Hands on, provide social interaction, emotional support, which is important for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia who may feel isolated or lonely. This may also include homemaker services which includes household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and taking individuals to appointments or run errands.
- Respite Care: Respite care provides families temporary relief/a break for caregivers by providing short-term care for their loved one.
This is a very important question. Choosing the right home care provider for your loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia is crucial. If you select the wrong home care provider, it can leave a bad taste in your mouth and make you gun shy to use home care services again. Taking the extra time up front to qualify the home care providers you talk with, is definitely worth the time. Considering the following:
- Experience: Look for providers with experience working with individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia and perhaps have comprehensive program in place to use up to date process to support your loved one and you while you are on your journey.
- Training: A provider should have specialized training that they use with their staff, so that the staff are trained in dementia care and have the skills necessary to provide care for your loved one. Do they have an RN that oversees their abilities and available to support them if necessary?
- Communication: Choose a provider that communicates openly, honestly and regularly with you and your loved one. When you are calling around, do you get a good feeling about the provider and their services? How was the interaction with the representative for provider? Did they answer your questions and seem knowledgeable?
- Availability: Ensure that the provider is available when you need them and can provide the level of care your loved one requires. What happens if your loved one declines further…can the provider continue to support your loved one? If not, how do they handle the situation with families?
- Reputation: Check the provider’s reputation by reading reviews and asking for references. Are the reviews recent or from a few years ago?