How Elderly Home Care Needs Change When Your Loved One is Diagnosed with Dementia
When a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, they will need specialized care and support in order to age in place. Here’s how dementia care from Visiting Angels differs from the elderly home care services we provide in Longmont, Boulder, Louisville and surrounding areas in Colorado
Many people think of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia as if they were the same condition and use these terms interchangeably. However, dementia is a collective term that describes various types of cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s, on the other hand, is the most common type of dementia.
Memory loss may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Alzheimer’s or dementia, but this symptom is not the only one that presents itself as the condition progresses. Other important functions such as language, comprehension, focus, task-solving and reason get affected too. Combined, these symptoms greatly contribute to cognitive decline and make a huge impact on the quality of day-to-day life.
Getting a Diagnosis, Directing Care Decisions
Getting an accurate diagnosis may not be that simple, as there are many different types of dementia. This also means that certain symptoms can manifest in different ways. For this reason, understanding the specific type of your loved one’s condition is crucial for elderly home care or other caregiving plans you are about to make.
For example, a senior diagnosed with Parkinson’s will not only be dealing with memory loss but also with balance and vision issues, which makes them more susceptible to falls than someone with Alzheimer’s. As the tremors of Parkinson’s gradually intensify, those afflicted require expert mobility assistance in addition to proper memory care.
Different Care Options
The number of care options for seniors with cognitive conditions has significantly increased over the last few years. Today, we have options such as:
- Senior living communities with entire wings reserved just for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients
- Stand-alone memory care facilities
- Adult day care agencies that offer specialized care
- Regular nursing homes
- Hospice care for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia
However, many family caregivers opt for specialized elderly home care, an ideal option that helps alleviate symptoms and slow down cognitive decline without any disruptions to the senior’s routine.
How to Know Which Type of Alzheimer’s or Dementia Care is Best?
Learning all you can about your options is the best way to be prepared for any eventuality, whether your family has just started caring for a recently diagnosed loved one or you are still seeking a diagnosis.
As the symptoms progress into the mid and late stages, working with a seasoned elderly home care professional from Visiting Angels in Boulder County is crucial to helping Mom or Dad remain safe and comfortable at home, despite their condition. To make good caregiving decisions, it is important to know what premium memory care plans should include.
All care providers, meaning assisted living, adult day centers and home care providers, should be client-centered, make efforts to involve the family caregiver, and strive to support aging adults without changing their routines or limiting independence.
When choosing the right elderly home care agency for Mom or Dad, consider inquiring about the caregivers’ training, skills and previous experiences in working with aging adults afflicted with your loved one’s specific diagnosis.
And remember, no matter what type of care you opt for, the involvement of a family caregiver is paramount to providing the best care for your parent and helping them maintain their independent lifestyle for longer.
To learn how our dementia care services can help your loved one, contact our Longmont, CO office today.
Visiting Angels provides in-home senior care services for families in Allenspark, Boulder, Eldorado Springs, Erie, Hygiene, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland, Niwot, Pinecliff, Ward and the surrounding areas of Boulder County, CO.