Being a family caregiver for an aging loved one can be a full-time job, especially when your loved one has dementia. You may have watched your aging parent go from living almost independently to needing assistance with daily tasks such as personal hygiene and safely moving from room to room as their condition worsens. It’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed about your aging loved one’s caregiving. It may be time to turn to the help of a professional, in-home caregiver to meet your loved one’s growing needs. 

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a collective term used to describe the progressive loss of core memories, language, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities that affect an individual’s everyday life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. The changes that occur in the brain for someone with dementia can alter their personality, relationships, emotions, and behaviors. This change, whether sudden or more gradual, can be difficult on family members who are trying to provide loving care and support. 

Care Needs for Dementia Patients

Mental health conditions such as depression are common among older adults with dementia as they lose their memories and are unable to do the activities they once loved to do. They may feel frustrated that their short-term memory is fading, and this can have an impact on their overall mood or cause them to isolate themselves from others. 

Seniors living with dementia may also have an increasingly difficult time getting dressed on their own, remembering to make it to appointments, or keeping their home clean as their cognitive function declines, which can further feed into mental health challenges. 

In addition to the emotional and mental health needs of aging individuals with dementia, many adults experience unexpected side effects from new medications that can increase their risk of falling and contribute to nutritional deficiencies. 

Benefits of In-Home Care for Dementia Patients

Companionship

Companionship and connection with others are extremely important for aging adults, especially when they have dementia. Non-medical in-home caregivers spend quality time getting to know the aging individuals in their care. Stimulating conversation, connection to community, problem-solving games, and sharing their history can slow down the cognitive decline brought on by dementia. 

Medication Reminders

It can be difficult for individuals with dementia to remember to take their medicine on time. This can be dangerous for their overall health and well-being in some cases. While non-medical in-home caregivers are not medical professionals licensed to prescribe or administer medication, they can help your loved one remember to take their prescriptions. 

Transportation

Being able to leave the house for important appointments, community events, meetups with friends and family, and to spend time in nature are important for healthy aging. Many senior adults lose their ability to drive safely as they age, and this can be brought on earlier for someone with dementia. In-home caregivers can provide transportation services tailored to meet the needs of your loved one.

Help with ADLs

In-home caregivers are trained to provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as household duties and personal grooming, with respect and dignity. 

Financial Reminders

Some aging adults living with dementia struggle to keep track of their wallet or pay bills on time. In these cases, in-home caregivers can help your loved one keep track of important expenses and bill due dates.

Preparing Meals

Proper nutrition is important for the health of aging adults with dementia, but encouraging your loved one to eat healthy meals can feel impossible when they can no longer cook for themselves or they are refusing to eat. In-home caregivers can prepare nutrient-dense meals for those in their care, following any necessary dietary restrictions and catering to an individual’s taste. Meal preparation services include grocery shopping, cooking, and kitchen cleaning. 

Dementia symptoms can change suddenly. If you notice your loved one becoming more forgetful or unpredictable as they age, it’s important that you speak to a medical professional as early as possible to ensure they get the best possible care.  While dementia can make aging in the comfort of home more challenging for senior adults, it is possible with the help of a trained professional in-home caregiver. 

At HomeSpark, we know that bringing a caregiver into your family is an important decision. Contact us today to learn more about our non-medical in-home caregiving and respite care services.