Did you know that a new case of dementia is diagnosed every 3 seconds? According to the World Health Organization, “The total number of new cases of dementia each year worldwide is nearly 10 million.” Chances are you, or someone you, is affected by dementia. Dementia affects memory, language, behavioral, and critical thinking skills that limits a person’s ability to complete basic activities of daily living. Living with dementia can be confusing and scary, and caring for a loved one with dementia can be equally as overwhelming. But families are not alone; home care can help create a balance between safety and comfort for dementia patients.
Familiarity
Home care can provide a sense of familiarity during a confusing time. With the help of in-home caregivers, patients can remain in the place that they find most comfort in – their own home. Familiar surroundings and daily routines can help ease anxiety and confusion for patients. Things that we often take for granted, like seeing the same faces and places, and even eating familiar foods can help keep dementia patients grounded. In-home caregivers can provide not only a familiar face but can help eliminate disruptions in daily routines and provide stability to help patients stay focused.
Compassionate Care
As their disease progresses, dementia patients may experience difficulties completing tasks in the right sequence, or they may not be able to remember what tasks they need to do or how to do them at all. Compassionate in-home caregivers understand the challenges dementia patients face and can assist with activities of daily living to improve their day to day quality of life and help keep their household safe and clean. Home health aide’s primary focus is keeping your loved one healthy and safe and can assist with personal grooming, meal preparation, laundry, and light housekeeping.
Safety First
For dementia patients, even being in their own home can pose safety risks. As the patient’s cognitive abilities decline, navigating their home or using appliances can be challenging. Skilled home care professionals can conduct safety assessments to identify and address risks within the home. Assessments may include rearranging furniture to remove fall hazards, eliminating clutter that can cause disorientation, recommend durable medical equipment to promote mobility and safety, and secure medications and other items like cleaning products that could be dangerous. In-home caregivers often spend many hours a week with patients and can reassess the situation as their condition changes and can help maintain a safe environment for your loved one.
Engaging Interactions
Loneliness and isolation are often associated with cognitive decline, but regular social engagement can help keep these symptoms at bay. In-home caregivers can provide dementia patients with precious socialization and conversation to help keep patients engaged with their day. With the help of friends and family, in-home caregivers can learn about the patient’s interests before the disease to have meaningful conversations about things that they care about. Additionally, occupational therapists can adapt the way patients engage in their favorite activities to enhance their level of daily functioning.
Let Assisted help your loved one achieve comfort and stability during a confusing time in their life. To learn more about the services we offer and how our compassionate home health care providers can help your family, call us at 800-949-6555 or visit us online at www.AssistedCares.com.
Assisted Mail