According to CDC estimates, nearly six million Americans live with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, most of which are aged 65+. Older adults with dementia require specialized care, whether provided in a senior living community or home. With the right care, seniors with cognitive decline can age in place with dignity, self-esteem, and independence. Memory care and home care are two options for those living with dementia. As a concerned family member, here’s why in-home dementia care might be the best choice for that special senior in your life.
What is a Memory Care Facility?
Memory care communities can be standalone facilities or part of a senior living community with multiple levels of care. They provide specialized assistance for seniors experiencing memory loss, often due to Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
Dementia care facilities provide many of the same services as assisted living, including help with activities of daily living (ADLs), medication management, and nutritious dining options. Memory care communities also offer social activities, transportation services, and 24-hour nursing care for medical emergencies.
Advantages of Home Dementia Care
Over the last few years, many families have discovered that home care is especially suited for challenges that loved ones face when living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Home care allows a senior to remain in familiar surroundings while maintaining personal habits, relationships, and routines that they spent a lifetime establishing.
Other pros of professional home care for dementia include:
- Seniors live at their own pace and are not rushed, as they might be in a facility. Dementia and time pressure do not go well together.
- The anxiety level and likelihood for emotional outbursts drop dramatically when seniors stay at home.
- Older adults are around attentive loved ones that provide them with social interaction and companionship, rather than being surrounded by strangers in an unfamiliar place.
- With proper supervision, seniors are allowed to come and go as they please. Memory care facilities often have strict security measures that can make a senior with dementia feel confined and socially isolated.
Choosing the Right Home Care Provider
When shopping around for a home care provider, look for those with specialized caregivers who are uniquely trained to address cognitive deficiencies. Schedule a screening interview with your loved one’s caregiver, during which time you can learn more about their experience, training, and personality. Be sure to find a caregiver with the patience and qualifications needed to keep your loved one safe and comfortable. And finally, read the provider’s client reviews before making a final decision.
Home Modification Safety Tips
Once you’ve selected a caregiver, be sure to safe proof your loved one’s home environment by:
- Displaying emergency numbers and your home address near all telephones
- Installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in or near the kitchen and all sleeping areas
- Installing secure locks on all outside doors and windows
- Hiding a spare key outside in case you or the caregiver gets locked out of the home
- Placing red, heat-resistant tape around floor vents, radiators, and other heating devices to deter your loved one from standing on or touching them while hot.
- Removing extension cords and other trip hazards
- Covering unused electrical outlets with childproof plugs
- Locking up dangerous chemicals, flammable liquids, and medications
- Creating clear walkways by eliminating clutter
- Removing all guns and other weapons from the home
- Locking all power tools and machinery in the garage, workroom, or basement
- Keeping all alcohol in a locked cabinet
Reliable In-Home Dementia Care for Seniors
When you or your loved one need dementia care assistance, contact us. We are a fully licensed and insured home care provider with highly trained professionals who are experts at delivering the nurturing that your loved one deserves. While serving as an extended family in your senior’s home, our compassionate caregivers can perform duties like light housekeeping, personal care, dementia care, companionship care, medication reminders, and even live-in and 24-hour care.
Our agency’s focus is maintaining your loved one’s quality of life, along with their dignity, self-esteem, and independence. For your added convenience, all our in-home services can be individually personalized into an affordable package when and where you need them! Please visit us online now to learn more about us or schedule a FREE initial consultation for a senior in our service area.
