Dementia Care: In-Home Care for Those With Dementia
As people age, they may require in-home care when they wish to continue living in their own homes. This is true for elderly loved ones with no health issues and is especially true for someone in need of dementia care. The benefit of in-home care is that it can be personalized to your loved one's needs as well as their situation. After all, dementia care is different when compared to other forms of home care in some significant ways.
Regular In-Home Care or Dementia Care?
Are you considering in-home care for a loved one living with dementia? It’s important for anyone seeking out a caregiver to understand the differences between regular at-home care and dementia care. When you’re aware of these differences, you’re better able to choose the option that is most suited to the needs of your loved one.
In-Home Care
Regular in-home care, or at-home care, is not medical in nature. While there are options like home health care, it is not the same thing. The main difference is that home health care offers medical assistance such as injections or monitoring vital signs. An in-home caregiver focuses more on personal aide, providing companionship and assistance with daily living activities.
In-home caregivers will also assist with housecleaning and other chores, such as grocery shopping, cooking, running errands, etc. They may also provide some help with managing medication (without injecting anything) as well as transportation to and from appointments.
This form of at-home care is a great option for those who are able to maintain some level of independence but require assistance with certain tasks. This type of care could be beneficial for someone in the early stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia. However, as the condition progresses, more advanced care is required. This is when dementia care is an important option.
Dementia Care
Dementia care focuses specifically on those with Alzheimer’s or related dementia. Caregivers might offer very similar assistance to in-home care. However, they are more familiar with the stages of dementia as well as common problematic behaviors and strategies for dealing with them. Moreover, there are safety issues related to dementia care that they need to be aware of.
Care plans are often established with a focus on the likes, dislikes, and personality of the individual and activities are planned accordingly to stimulate their memory. This may include looking at photo albums, doing art projects, reading, or listening to music. Oftentimes, dementia care is priced similarly to home health care.
Dementia Care Needs Throughout the Stages
People with dementia have different needs, and those needs change and evolve as the condition progresses. Alzheimer’s, for example, has three stages, each with its own required needs.
Early
The Early Stage of Alzheimer’s might see someone still living independently, only requiring minimal in-home care. People can often still drive and attend social functions on their own as well as perform daily activities for themselves.
It’s possible for people to forget common words or need basic reminders to assist with their memory, though. Similarly, they might need assistance with managing their medication, money, appointments, and coping strategies. It’s important at this time to begin developing a care plan for the future.
Middle
During this stage, people require more care as their memory is greatly affected. They may no longer recognize familiar faces or become lost in places they already know. Due to this, behavior begins to change and potentially becomes more erratic. Displays of aggression may become commonplace, and you may notice they have difficulty with physical movements and coordination.
At this stage, dementia care may look like assistance with daily living activities like eating or dressing. They may also require more frequent reminders about a broader spectrum of topics. It is important to implement a structured schedule during this stage, which can diminish feelings of stress and anxiety often associated with dementia. Consistency with a dementia care provider is often very beneficial.
Late
At this stage, individuals require intensive care throughout the day. They often exhibit extreme confusion regarding past events and present situations. Their ability to process information ceases to exist, and they have a difficult time communicating - if able to communicate at all.
Behavior and mood become extremely unpredictable, and they may even suffer from delusions. At this point, a facility may become necessary in order to receive the level of care required.
Dementia Care & In-Home Care in Houston, TX
Are you in the Houston area and considering in-home care or dementia care for the elderly members of your family? Personalized care comes highly recommended for those who require medication reminders or help with light housekeeping. Caregiving services offer long term peace of mind to people throughout the Greater Houston area.
We are here to offer our support to families who have loved ones that would benefit from in-home care. Our team of caregivers is dedicated to providing high-quality support and attention to your family members.
With our various in-home care services, we strive to help your loved one enjoy their life in the comfort of their own home. Help us design a plan that suits their needs and improves their quality of life.
