Tag: Dementia Care

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Caring for a Loved One with Dementia: Tips and Strategies

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

Caring for a Loved One with Dementia: Tips and Strategies

Taking care of a loved one who is dealing with this condition can be rewarding, yet difficult, whether they are an elderly parent or family member living with the condition. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed without the proper advice and support. There are many strategies and tips available to support families and caregivers in providing the best possible care for their loved one dealing with this progressive illness. We will provide you with information about caring for your loved one with dementia with tips and strategies, in order to make life easier for both you and your loved one.

1. Try to understand the condition

By learning as much as possible about it, caregivers gain the knowledge to make well-informed decisions for their family member. Read resources or watch videos to educate yourself, resources such as Dementia.ie and Dementia Ireland can be invaluable sources of information and guidance.

This will help you to understand it in detail which will leave you in a better position to help your loved one. The more you know about it, the more you can provide support and care for them. It is also beneficial to learn about the 4 different types of the condition and their symptoms:

  • Alzheimer’s disease: trouble recognising people, cannot communicate, impulsive behaviour.
  • Frontotemporal: excessive emotions, shaky hands, problems with balance.
  • Lewy body: inability to concentrate, muscle rigidity, reduced facial expressions.
  • Vascular: hallucinations or delusions, misplacing items, poor judgement.

Understanding the basics, such as its onset and progression, can help families realise that it’s normal for loved ones living with it to have changes in mood and behavior.

Did You Know?

There are 64,142 people currently living with the condition in Ireland. 

This number is expected to rise alongside an aging population to 150,131 by 2045.

2. Simplify the environment

Simplifying the environment can be a challenge for many caregivers but it is very beneficial as it will avoid confusion and unwanted accidents, such as falls and injuries. As families of patients want a comfortable and safe environment for their loved ones, simplicity can be key in fostering a peaceful home.

Living in an overly stimulating setting with excess clutter, loud noises or bright lights could cause their loved one to become confused. It becomes difficult to make sense of immediate surroundings causing distress.

There are three simple steps to take in simplifying the home:

1. The first step is to put objects and items away that can cause confusion and stress. This means removing them from walkways when they are not needed, preventing falls.

2. Keeping the environment clean and uncluttered is key. Cleaning often will create a more structured environment for your loved one where they can feel at ease and comfortable inviting guests over, allowing them to remain sociable.

3. Place colourful labels on items and drawers. This saves time and confusion when looking for certain items and will help with memory loss if they forget where they left something.

3. Communicate effectively

For families and caregivers of sufferers, communication is essential in order to maintain a meaningful connection. Having a positive outlook and creating a loving atmosphere will boost morale. Allowing plenty of time for answering questions when communicating and using physical prompts such as gestures can be very effective also. It’s important to remain patient and kind while ensuring your loved one feels respected and valued throughout any conversation taking place.

Tips on Communicating:

• Speak in a calm and reassuring manner.
• Use simple, clear language.
• Be patient and understanding.
• Maintain eye contact.

3. Activity participation

One of the best ways to care for your loved one is to help them remain active. This can mean getting them involved in day-to-day tasks in and around the home. Providing activities can improve the quality of life of both them and their families and caregivers.

Families should first consult with their elderly loved one’s medical professionals to tailor activities based on their individual care plan. These activities should be enjoyable and encourage socialisation, helping the patient retain mental sharpness and muscle strength. Visually stimulating activities, activities that refine visual perception skills and involve the brain processing what the human eye sees, can be extremely beneficial.

Activities that provide visual stimulation include:

  • Painting.
  • Gardening.
  • Completing jigsaw puzzles.
  • Playing board games.

Activities are an essential component in the treatment of this condition; engaging in them can strengthen relationships when they are carried out together and provide peace of mind for families.

At Care 24-7, we aspire to support people living with this condition to live healthy, active and fulfilling lives promoting choice, dignity and well-being. 

older person home care services in bradford and leeds and Caring for a Loved One with Dementia: Tips and Strategies

Caring for a loved one with this condition may seem like an impossible task but with the various strategies above and different resources available, it can be manageable. The family’s love and support can go a long way to comforting their loved one.

Homecare plays an integral part in helping to maintain quality of life while managing the physical and emotional needs of those living with this condition. It is important to help maintain comfort, safety, and quality of life for all involved.

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The Benefits of In-Home Care for Elderly Adults with Dementia

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

The Benefits of In-Home Care for Elderly Adults with Dementia

Caring for an elderly adult with dementia can be a challenging and demanding task. However, when you choose in-home care to look after your loved one, the process can be stress-free. In-home care can look after their needs in ways an assisted living facility can’t. It promotes independence and allows them to live comfortably in their own homes. There are many benefits of in-home care for elderly adults with dementia. Choosing this type of care has the potential to enrich an older person’s life while helping them remain safe at home for as long as possible. By providing personalised attention, these services create opportunities for social interaction, greater independence, and meaningful connections. They help to ensure safety while dealing with health changes associated with dementia.

At Care 24-7, people who use in-home care services range from elderly people, those with physical disabilities, people with dementia, those who are nearing the end of their life and those returning from a stay in hospital.

This offers respite for family carers and gives them the peace of mind that their loved ones are being taken care of with respect and kindness in the comfort of their own homes.

Familiar Surroundings

Being in a familiar environment can provide a sense of comfort and security for individuals with dementia. This is less disorienting than a move to an assisted living facility, which can lead to unease because of such a drastic change in life. Maintaining a schedule similar to the one they followed prior to their diagnosis can help reduce anxiety and confusion while improving overall well-being.

Did You Know?
The person most often diagnosed with dementia is a grandparent (17%) or parent / step-parent (13%).

Almost half (49%) of people say that dementia is the health condition they fear most about getting in the future.

in-home care and dementia services carer

Care 24-7’s dementia care service is led by a SPECAL Practitioner trained by the Contented Dementia Trust at their Centre of Excellence at Burford. They are trained to understand the disability of dementia from the perspective of the person with the condition and to deliver coaching to all those who come into contact with them. A SPECAL practitioner can then provide the help needed for that particular person based on what is familiar to them and what matters the most in their life.

Independence

In-home carer and man with dementia

The key to maintaining independence for those living with dementia is an early diagnosis followed by an individual care plan that considers nutrition, physical exercise, and mental stimulation. In-home care allows individuals to maintain as much independence as possible by promoting these 3 factors.

Nutrition: This should include fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods.

Physical Exercise: Light exercise such as walking or Tai Chi can be beneficial.

Mental Stimulation: This can include word games or creating art.

Active senior man with dementia and in-home care

An in-home carer can provide them with the skills needed to perform tasks and assess their needs based on what stage their dementia is at. The carer ensures there is a good balance between being helpful and supportive whilst allowing your loved one to remain independent for as long as possible.

Personalised Care

In-home care allows for the development of a personalised care plan that is tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual with dementia. In-home care can also reduce the risk of infection, which is especially important for individuals with dementia who may be more susceptible to illness. Personalised care is individualised to meet the specific needs of the person with dementia, and can include:

  • Assistance with activities such as meal planning, bathing and dressing.
  • Medication management to ensure that the person is taking their medication correctly.
  • Safety monitoring to ensure that the person is safe and secure in their home.
  • Assistance with transportation to appointments and other activities.
woman with dementia and in-home carer

At Care 24-7, the first step would be to work closely with your loved one to develop a person-centred Individual Care Plan that will take into consideration their wishes and preferences regarding their personal home care needs. This technique easily translates into a set routine for dementia patients who thrive on familiarity and repetition.

Cost-Effective

In-home care is often less expensive than other forms of care, such as assisted living or nursing homes. The cost of in-home care will depend on a number of factors, such as the level of care required and the provider. In-home care can range from a few hours of help per week to around-the-clock care, meaning costs is dependent on the circumstances. Assisted living facilities typically have a set monthly fee which can include room, meals, and various activities and services.

Money box for health costs and in-home care

Factors that can affect the cost of care:

  • The home modifications your loved one needs such as handrails and alarm systems.
  • Whether medical or non-medical care is required. Medical includes physical therapy while non-medical includes household duties.

You may be entitled to some level of funding to finance your care needs. Speak to your Local Authority for an assessment of your financial situation and request a “care needs assessment”.

It’s always recommended to consider the specific needs and preferences of the elderly person and your budget. Additionally, it’s important to check if the costs are covered by insurance, as it can help with the expenses. By carefully evaluating the costs and benefits of both options, you will be in a better place to make a good decision.

Family Involvement

Woman with dementia and young girl in-home care

In-home care allows family members to be more involved in the care of their loved ones, which can provide emotional support and peace of mind. With in-home care, families are more confident that their loved one will receive individualised attention and guidance from a seasoned caregiver on matters related to health, nutrition, and activities of daily living.

Additionally, in-home care allows family members to remain actively involved in important aspects of their loved ones’ life, such as interacting with doctors and managing financial items. As peace of mind is essential for seniors and their families alike, in-home care certainly provides that for them.

The above benefits can help with the stress and uncertainty of having a loved one with dementia. They serve to alleviate any worries knowing that help is on-hand from the comfort of their own home.

If you are considering in-home care, contact us today.

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