Alzheimer’s Care

Alzheimer’s dementia is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills.

Both Alzheimer’s care and other forms of dementia care requires caring, well-trained individuals who come to your loved one’s home to provide care and support for your loved one.

Elderly clients with Alzheimer’s dementia often have difficulty communicating, experience changes in mood and behavior and have difficulty completing daily tasks including showering dressing and toileting. Additionally, sleeping patterns can be disrupted for many reasons, including changes in medication. Seniors can begin to wander, get lost and experience increased confusion.

It is common for family members who are the primary source of care to struggle balancing caregiving responsibilities with work and family obligations. Additionally, it can be emotionally challenging to care for a loved one with dementia, as this added stress can bring up feelings of guilt and sadness.

When providing professional in-home Alzheimer’s care services to clients struggling with Alzheimer’s – or other forms of dementia – it is important to create a safe and comfortable environment that encourages routine and consistency.

Our Home Health Aides (HHAs) complete a comprehensive Alzheimer’s – and other forms of dementia – training to understand the disease process and learn strategies for managing difficult behaviors. They have special training in dealing with memory loss, behavior modification, personal care services and many other important care services unique to Alzheimer’s disease.

• Memory Care: Caregivers can help clients experience memory loss by helping them remember essential details like medication schedules, appointments, and daily routines. Caregivers can also use “memory games and exercises” to help slow the progression of memory loss.
• Personal Care: Caregivers can assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including – showering, toileting, grooming, and dressing. Aides can also monitor changes in hygiene or physical condition (like a bed sore, for example), which can indicate a change in health status.
• Medication Reminders: Alzheimer’s clients often require multiple medications – all of which must be taken at the right time and at the correct dosage. Professional caregivers can help with these medication reminders.
• Mobility Assistance: Dementia clients, including those with Alzheimer’s dementia, often struggle with balance and mobility issues which can result in increased falls. Caregivers can assist with mobility, including – helping with safe transfers, walking with a walker or gait belt, etc.
• Meal Preparation: A professional caregiver can prepare nutritious meals for the individual, considering any dietary restrictions or preferences. Sometimes clients with Alzheimer’s dementia forget to eat, so this additional assistance helps ensure that they receive appropriate nutrition and hydration.
• Emotional Support: Alzheimer’s and dementia can be isolating. Caregivers can be a great source of companionship – engaging in meaningful activities and offer emotional support to help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
• Behavior Management: Dementia and Alzheimer’s clients may display challenging behaviors such as wandering, agitation, or aggression. These behaviors can increase at towards of the end of the day (this agitation and confusion is sometimes referred to as “Sundowning”). Caregivers are trained to manage and respond to these behaviors calmly and compassionately, using techniques including – redirection and reassurance.
• Communication Techniques: Trained caregivers are trained in communication techniques to help improve interactions between the caregiver and the individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia. These techniques may include speaking slowly, using visual aids, and validating feelings and concerns.

Our comprehensive Alzheimer’s care program includes:

• Encouraging independence, while providing assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including – personal care (showering, dressing, toileting, etc), as well as assistance with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLS) including – light housekeeping, laundry – including changing bed linens, meal preparation, medication reminders, shopping, transportation to appointments, and more
• Completing a comprehensive Client Assessment
• Developing and implementing a client-centered Care Plan
• Providing comprehensive caregiver training and continuous hands-on supervision
• Providing continuous communication with family and care providers