How Home Care for Alzheimer’s or related Dementia Differs from Regular Home Care
Posted on: January 30 2020
As individuals age, they often require in-home assistance to continue to live independently. This holds true for seniors who do not have health issues, as well as those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another related dementia. Fortunately, there is home care that is geared towards both individuals and situations. Home care for those with dementia is different than other types of home care in some important ways.
Regular Home Care Vs. Dementia Home Care
Regular In-Home Care
Regular home care, which is often referred to as in-home care, is non-medical in nature. Personal care aides provide companionship, supervision, and one-on-one assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as helping an individual bathe, get dressed, get to and from the bathroom, and eat. They also assist with light housecleaning and other household chores, such as shopping for groceries, running errands, and preparing meals, and also might provide medication management and transportation to appointments and social outings.
This type of care is a great option for individuals who are able to maintain some independence, but do require assistance with certain tasks. While regular home care might be appropriate for an individual in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease, as the disease progresses, more advanced care is needed. This is where dementia home care becomes an important and appropriate option.
Dementia In-Home Care
Dementia home care is geared specifically towards those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. While caregivers offer the same assistance as regular home care, dementia caregivers are familiar with the stages of the disease, how it manifests, common problematic behaviors, strategies to adequately deal with them, and safety issues related to dementia. Commonly, care plans are established to focus on the likes, dislikes, and personality of the individual with dementia, and activities are planned accordingly to stimulate one’s memory. This may include looking at photo albums, listening to music, doing art projects, or reading. Surprisingly, dementia home care typically costs the same as regular home care.
Contact us for more information on home care for yourself or a family member.
Posted in News