Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Understanding Home Care Options for Dementia Patients

If your elderly loved one is suffering from dementia, there are a number of different types of home care services that might benefit them. According to professionals who work in home care, Chapel Hill families should investigate these options in order to find the most effective way to keep their senior comfortable and safe. When it comes to dementia care choices, there are a few main types of services. They include:

  • Companion services: Providing friendship during the day, accompanying that senior on recreational activities, and offering general supervision.
  • Personal care services: Assists with bathing, dressing, using the restroom, eating, and other essential parts of a senior’s daily routine.
  • Homemaker services: Takes care of housekeeping duties, as well as grocery shopping and meal preparation. 
  • Skilled care: Offers wound care, administers shots, and takes care of other health needs. This individual is a licensed home health professional, and is useful if your senior requires more extensive medical treatment on a daily basis.

In order to determine which type of assistance is best for your elderly loved one, there are a number of different resources available to you. This includes:

Your senior’s healthcare provider

The physician who provides care for your senior is a great starting point. Based on their own analysis of the individual’s condition, they can explain which type of care would be most appropriate at this time. 

The local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association

There are chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association located throughout the country. The individuals with this group can help a family to determine how to care for their elderly loved one most effectively.

Asking friends and co-workers

Unfortunately, many people have had a firsthand experience with a loved one suffering from dementia. These individuals can become powerful resources as you get ready to make a decision about care for your senior. Consult with them and see what approach they have taken to care for their own family member in the past.  

As you go about seeking care for your elderly loved one, make sure to create a specific list of needs. The provider will need to know about your senior’s strengths and weaknesses, any medications they’re taking, dietary requirements, and other specifications. This enables them to provide the most comprehensive care possible as they tend to your family member’s health.  

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