How Your Loved One’s Care Needs Can Change After Being Diagnosed with Dementia
Learn how in-home care for seniors in Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Marina and surrounding areas in California can differ for seniors who live with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia
You might be wondering what the main difference is between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia as many people use these terms interchangeably. Well, dementia is an umbrella term used to describe various types of cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
Most people associate long-term memory loss with cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. However, common symptoms of these conditions include a number of impairments and limitations. Speech, vocabulary, reasoning, judgment, problem-solving skills – all get affected. Together, these symptoms contribute to cognitive decline and make daily functioning fairly difficult, even hazardous.
Getting a Diagnosis, Directing Care Decisions
There are many types of dementia, which means getting a precise diagnosis might take some time. And as different types of dementia involve different symptoms, informing yourself about Mom or Dad’s specific condition is instrumental in making future care plans.
Let us explain – when a person is diagnosed with Parkinson’s dementia, for example, they will not only struggle with impaired memory but also with gait and balance as well as vision issues. Those with Parkinson’s dementia are more likely to fall than someone with Alzheimer’s, so they require mobility assistance and fall risk prevention in addition to regular in-home care for seniors.
Different Dementia, Different Care Options in the Central Coast Area
Nowadays, there is a wide range of memory care and dementia care options to choose from in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Some of the most common ones include:
- Senior living facilities with special wards dedicated exclusively to Alzheimer’s and dementia care
- Independently operated memory care institutions
- Adult day centers that provide specialized dementia care
- Regular nursing homes
- Hospice care for those with dementia
- And more
While it may be comforting to know there are so many quality dementia care options around, most family caregivers still prefer professional in-home care for seniors, an option which enables their loved ones to remain at home regardless of their condition.
What Type of Memory Care is Best?
Whether you are in the early stages of caring for a loved one with dementia or your family is still seeking a diagnosis, learning everything you can about their particular condition is the best way to prepare yourself for the unpredictable caregiving journey ahead.
As the symptoms progress and Mom or Dad’s condition slowly shifts from mid to late stages, the assistance of a professional caregiver will become critical to maintaining their safety and well-being at home. Knowing what superior dementia care should entail can help you when searching for the best in-home care for seniors or other caregiving options for your family member.
All reliable care providers, including in-home care for seniors, nursing homes and adult day centers, are client-centered while making efforts to include the family caregiver in all the decision making.
Before opting for a particular caregiving plan, make sure to enquire about the caregiver’s training and skills as well as past experiences with providing care for those with your loved one’s specific diagnosis. No matter what type of care you choose, your involvement as a primary caregiver is paramount in ensuring Mom or Dad remains independent and enjoys a higher quality of life for longer.
To learn more how Visiting Angels Central Coast helps seniors live with dementia, contact our Scotts Valley, CA office today.