Alzheimer’s Care at Home –
We are providing the majority of Alzheimer’s care at home. And, although we are always hopeful, the future of the disease shows no sign of slowing down at this point, and there is a growing need for home care partners to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective care in a home setting.
“Eighty percent of Alzheimer’s care is provided in the home, not a facility, according to the CDC”.
(This comes from Lakelyn Hogan Eichenberger, PhD, a gerontologist and care advocate for Home Instead in Omaha, Nebraska)
Institutional care can be expensive. By providing care at home, families can potentially save on costs. However, this requires caregivers to be well-trained to avoid potential complications that could lead to hospitalizations.
While home care allows for personalized attention tailored to the individual needs of the patient, it is important that the caregiver understand the disease so they can customize care plans that best suit the afflicted person’s unique requirements.
Although being in a familiar environment can be comforting to people living with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, knowledgeable caregivers need to create a safe and nurturing environment that promotes overall well-being for the afflicted person and for the persons living at home with them.
Caregivers equipped with reasonable knowledge of the disease and techniques to alleviate some communication and other difficulties can employ strategies to manage symptoms effectively.
Among other things, they can learn how to…
- Implement safety measures to prevent accidents and ensure the person’s well-being.
- Identify behaviors that might put the person at risk, such as wandering.
- Provide emotional support and guidance to other family members, helping them cope with the challenges.
- Recognize a range of disruptive behavioral symptoms, from agitation to depression.
- Understand the importance of timely medication, potential side effects, and interactions to ensure the patient’s health.
- Come up with activities that are adapted for their specific needs.
- Understand ‘why?’ behind most responsive behaviors.
- Create a more harmonious environment for all concerned.
- Enhance the quality of life for people with dementia, ensuring they remain engaged, active, and mentally stimulated.
The Montessori Dementia Center provides online training conferences that are not just for professionals in healthcare.
They will help anyone who is caring for a person living with dementia.
For more information on the type of assistance available to care partners, take a look at information about these two well-attended conferences. Attendance won’t consume a lot of time and the benefits are many.
- Click here for information about the 2.5-hour online conference on Tools for Overcoming Communication Barriers and Disruptive Behaviors.
- Click here for information about the 2-hour online conference on Creating and Presenting Activities Adapted for the Cognitively Impaired.
