Top Benefits of In-Home Dementia Care for Families

According to the science journal Nature, the number of people diagnosed with dementia continues to rise dramatically. The older a person is, the greater the risk. For many families, taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can be overwhelming. Let’s take a look at why in-home dementia care might be the right option for your family.

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A Familiar and Comfortable Environment

One of the biggest benefits of dementia care is that it allows the patient to live with dignity in the familiar environment of their home, which helps with:

• Reducing confusion
• Preserving long-term memories
• Maintaining family bonds
• Making visits easier
• Creating a stable daily routine 

Independence

Alzheimer’s-related dementia is a progressive condition, and specialized in-home healthcare services allow patients to remain as independent as possible, especially during the early stages of the disease. Nurse Next Door’s caregivers provide assistance for tasks like:

• Grooming
• Dressing
• Bathing and Toilet
• Medication
• Meal preparation
• Grocery shopping
• Transportation
• Light housekeeping
• Walking
• Exercise

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Cognitive Support

Studies have shown that participation in cognitively-stimulating activities slows the progression of mental and memory decline in Alzheimer’s patients.

Healthcare professionals who specialize in in-home dementia care encourage their patients to pursue hobbies, play brain games, and provide memory care to help keep their minds sharp. These include jigsaw puzzles, video games, reading, and music.

Health Monitoring

In-home dementia care goes beyond simply making life with Alzheimer’s disease more manageable. It also involves ensuring that your loved one remains physically and emotionally healthy.

Nurses  and other home healthcare professionals will keep an eye on their overall health including:

• Vital Signs
• Nutrition
• Medication
• Personal Hygiene
• Bowel and Bladder Needs
• Other Medical Conditions – Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, etc
• Emotional Distress
• Violent or Self-Harming Behaviors
• Signs of Cognitive Decline or Alzheimer’s Progression

Minimizes the Risk of Falls, Accidents, and Wandering Away

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 60% of people living with dementia will wander off at least once. They are also up to 5 times more likely to fall than other seniors without cognitive impairment. 

Nurse Next Door’s caregivers can assess your loved one’s needs, create a customized care plan, monitor them, and recommend adjustments as needed.

To make your home safer for the dementia patients, you can consider the following measures:

• Installing deadbolts or keypads on doors
• Safety knobs on doors
• Warning bells and alarms 
• Removing rugs and other tripping hazards
• Decluttering
• Motion-detecting lighting
• Safety bars in the shower and bathroom
• Mobility equipment – wheelchair, walker, motorized beds and recliners, etc.
• Child-proof latches on cabinets and drawers
• Smoke alarms

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Relief for the Family

The tremendous responsibility and the accompanying challenges faced by family caregivers can make it hard to meet other obligations or take care of their own needs. Unsurprisingly, family caregivers are at risk of developing Burnout Syndrome. By shouldering some of that load, In-Home Alzheimer’s and dementia care services allow overburdened family caregivers to take much-needed breaks. 

Since they know that their loved one is in good hands, they can go to work, run errands, look after their own well-being, or just take some time off. 

Flexibility

Every Alzheimer’s diagnosis is different, just as every family’s needs are unique to their situation. While nursing homes and assisted living facilities require patients and families to adhere to their environment, their rules, their schedule and their routines, in-home care is the exact opposite.

Aging in place means the dementia care plan is tailored to meet the needs of the patient and their family. One size definitely does not fit all, so help is available for any level of care, any schedule, and any budget.

Cost

Many families struggle to afford the cost of care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. However, it can be managed with the right approach. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities charge exorbitant fees. On the other hand, in-home dementia care costs much less than a nursing home, making it a lot more financially feasible. 

Personalized Care for Every Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease

At every stage of Alzheimer’s disease, patients’ needs will change and a different level of care will be required. In the beginning, your loved one may just need light assistance with physical tasks or a little bit of help remembering things. As the disease progresses, they may need a greater level of supervision and care to keep them safe, healthy, calm, and comfortable. Since there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, many families will eventually need compassionate in-home hospice care for dementia patients. With support from highly–trained professionals, families can meet the unique challenges of each stage of this disease.

The Best In-Home Senior Care in Virginia

If someone you love has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, you need specialized support. For the best in-home senior care in Virginia, Nurse Next Door is your most trusted local resource, providing expert care for your loved one and peace of mind for your family. Our in-home Alzheimer’s and dementia care services include: 

• Facilitating Communication and Managing Difficult Behaviours 
• Quality Customized Care for All Stages of Alzheimer’s
• Health and Safety Monitoring
• Cognitive and Memory Support
• Flexible Scheduling (Hourly, Part-Time, or 24/7 Care)
• Respite Care
• Hospice Care

Serving communities throughout Northern Virginia, Nurse Next Door has teams of skilled caregivers ready to meet the unique needs of your loved one. To find out more about how Nurse Next Door can help, book a free Caring Consult today.