The Benefits of Home Care for Seniors with Dementia
When an aging loved one is diagnosed with dementia, a wide range of thoughts can run through the family’s mind. Thoughts such as, “how much longer will…” or “will this be the last…” can invade, causing anxiety and sadness. Other thoughts can also cause anxiety, such as the logistics of the disease progression, who will provide care, and what will life look like in the next few years.
While all of these thoughts can take time to process, it’s important to realize that there is time when an aging loved one receives a dementia diagnosis. Most dementia is slow and progressive, meaning that the disease slowly causes damage to the brain and worsens over time. A person with dementia may be able to live independently or with minimal support for some time before they need help.
While most families jump to the conclusion that their aging loved one needs to move to a memory care facility, many do not realize that their loved one can receive home care services and avoid the move altogether. If your aging loved one has recently received a dementia diagnosis, or you’re unsure about the future of an aging loved one with memory impairment, here are a few benefits of home care for seniors with dementia.
Remain in a Familiar Environment
The first benefit of choosing home care for seniors with dementia is that they can stay in their own homes. They don’t have to move to an unfamiliar environment where they might experience more confusion. When they have bad days, they can be comforted by their familiar surroundings and find security in possessions. Families don’t need to decide what stays and what goes or face the pressure of selling a home in order to cover the costs of moving to a care facility.
Personalized Care
Studies have shown that seniors with dementia who receive home care from attentive caregivers have a higher quality of life than those placed in senior care facilities. The key here is attentive care. A private caregiver certified to work with dementia clients can recognize non-verbal signs of pain and discomfort, encourage nutrition and hydration, and provide care in a way that makes their client feel safe and comfortable. Caregivers can also engage their clients, ensuring they stay active and continue pursuing favorite hobbies that are meaningful for them. Although memory care facilities and nursing homes offer care assistance and activities, the caregivers and staff can’t meet everyone’s needs at the same time. Someone will always have to wait, and waiting can cause more anxiety for a person with dementia.
No Need to Change Familiar Routines
Another benefit of choosing home care for seniors with dementia is that they can keep familiar routines. When they move to a care facility, their routine needs to fit the facility’s schedule. Meals are served at certain times, activities available at certain hours, and grooming completed when it fits the caregiver’s schedule. When families choose home care, the senior’s routine is the first priority. Routine is crucial to someone with dementia. It helps them navigate their day without feeling lost and confused. They know what to expect and when giving them more peace in the midst of a progressive disease.
Visiting Angels South Elgin is here for your senior home care needs. When you choose us, you can rest assured that you are choosing a senior home care company that is seasoned in dementia care. Owner, Arlene Petersen, and RN, Tami Trosien, are Certified Dementia Practitioners, meaning they fully understand the challenges that come with caring for a loved one with dementia. Having such vast knowledge and experience in the field of senior care and dementia care allows them to equip their caregivers to provide exceptional care for clients in any stage of dementia. In addition to our dementia care services, we also provide care and support to seniors without dementia. Whether you need a little assistance now or down the road, we are here for you. Please contact us today by calling 847-429-0100 to learn more about our senior home care services.