Improving Quality Of Life for Seniors with Alzheimer’s with Assistive Devices
If you’ve already hired private home care services for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s in Eldersburg, MD, consider using these assistive devices to complement their Alzheimer’s care services
If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, it is only natural that you want them to get the best possible care and attention they need to maintain their independent lifestyle.
Relying on your local private home care agency to provide expert Alzheimer's care might be the best solution for your loved one as they will be able to remain in the familiar settings of their home, which is incredibly important for seniors with cognitive conditions. Additionally, certain assistive devices can prove to be quite useful for improving the patient's safety and quality of life, prevent wandering, and more.
Memory Aids
Inevitably, your loved one's memory will gradually deteriorate as their disease progresses. They will keep forgetting what they wanted to do and even have trouble remembering other people or certain information about themselves. However, these memory aids can provide useful reminders and keep Mom or Dad updated on their daily routines or important information:
- Devices specially made to display reminders and important information
- Clocks with large screens that display the date along with the local time or smartphone calendar apps
- Automatic pill dispensers designed to store Mom or Dad's medication safely and provide daily medication reminders
- Locators designed to track misplaced items
Alarms and Sensors
One of the most common problems for seniors with Alzheimer's is wandering. As this can be a major safety issue, you might want to consider using the following tools and devices that can inform you about your loved one's whereabouts and well-being:
- Sensors or tracking devices that will alert you or your private home care provider when Mom or Dad leaves their home or a certain area
- Fall sensors that sound an alarm when a fall occurs in your parent's home
- Smartphone apps that show your loved one's current location
Communication Aids
Your loved one should have easy access to communication, especially in case of an emergency. With this in mind, certain tools are specially designed to make communication easier for your parent:
- Phones with pre-programmed important numbers or special, senior-friendly phones that feature large dials and photos of contacts in the menu
- Video chat programs like Skype and FaceTime
- Apps that simplify communication by offering pre-selected words, pictures, and stickers to easily express feelings and emotions
Activities
Some senior-friendly activities can help mitigate the symptoms of memory-related conditions. Not only are they fun, but they can help improve memory and help your loved one stay comfortable and entertained. You or your loved one';s private home care provider can try:
- Boosting Mom or Dad’s mood by playing their favorite music or radio programs
- Providing valuable mental stimulation by encouraging them to play digital games and solve puzzles
- Using sensory devices to stimulate senses and help them stay calm and relaxed
Assistive devices can help your loved one in many daily routines and even partially supplement private home care, enabling them to continue aging safely at home for as long as possible.
If you'd like to learn more about how our Alzheimer's care services can help your loved one, call our Eldersburg, MD office today.
Visiting Angels Eldersburg provides quality in-home care for seniors with Alzheimer's and other memory-related illnesses in Eldersburg, Westminster, Ellicott City, Baltimore, Randallstown, Columbia and surrounding areas in Maryland.