How Professional Alzheimer’s Care Can Help Seniors in Eldersburg. MD

Professional Alzheimer’s care from Visiting Angels is essential in helping seniors in Eldersburg, MD manage their symptoms at home

Alzheimer’s – the most common type of dementia - is a chronic, progressive condition where patients become heavily dependant on others, especially in the later stages of the disease. If your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you may wish to provide care for them, at least in the beginning.

However, as memory loss progresses, you’ll find that providing care for a demented loved one can become overwhelming at times. You might not have the experience or qualifications to adequately respond to certain situations. From this point, you can either opt for placing Mom or Dad in an assisted living facility or hire a caregiving agency to provide professional Alzheimer’s care in your loved one’s home. We’d say that the latter option is a far better solution.

The Benefits of Professional Alzheimer’s Care

Seniors who receive expert Alzheimer’s home care services from trained caregivers can slow down the advancement of their condition, boost their quality of life to some extent, and continue living safely and independently at home for much longer. What’s more, by working with a professional caregiver, you can learn a few tricks yourself and become a better care provider for your loved one.

Consider implementing the following suggestions when you provide care for Mom or Dad:

• Reduce stress factors – Stress can significantly contribute to amplifying the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, just like with any other disease. For this reason, try to eliminate or lessen any potential sources of stress from your loved one’s surroundings that can cause distress. Avoid rapid changes in their routine or surroundings.
• Establishing routines – Sticking to familiar tasks and routines can help your loved one get a sense of continuity and comfort. If not already, create a schedule of Mom or Dad’s daily activities and make sure they adhere to it - meaning mealtime, recreational activities, and bedtime are always unchanged. If you hire a professional Alzheimer’s care provider, introduce them to this already established schedule.
• Provide reality orientation – It’s a good idea to provide Mom or Dad with some reminders on a daily basis to help them keep track of the time and what is happening. You can let them know about the date or time, what season it is, what you are having for lunch, or where you are going that day.
• Avoid fatigue – When planning outdoor activities, bear in mind that your loved one might need to take frequent breaks. You don’t want them overexerted. If your loved one has an episode while you’re out, just schedule longer breaks with less activity.
• Simplify surroundings – Avoid crowded places when going out with your loved one as they can make them nervous, agitated, and/or confused.  Instead, opt for quiet, serene places such as parks or playgrounds.
• Have patience – Above all, be patient with your loved one. Each senior with Alzheimer’s has a unique set of needs and limitations. Make sure you don’t pressure them or be too demanding as this can only cause stress and anxiety.

Consider working with professionals from Visiting Angels Eldersburg who can provide high-quality in-home care and help your loved one in many ways.

To learn more about our Alzheimer’s care services for seniors in Eldersburg, Westminster, Ellicott City, Columbia, Gwynn Oak and surrounding Maryland communities, contact our local office today!