March 13, 2019 by
While millions of older adults are struggling with the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, an even greater number of family members are struggling with taking care of them. Surprisingly, nearly 75% of family caregivers are managing their older loved ones’ dementia care needs on their own, with only 26% seeking professional care assistance.
Naturally, families want to do all they can to meet their loved ones’ needs, but dementia caregiving can cause an extremely high level of both mental and physical stress. This takes a toll on the caregivers’ own health and wellbeing over time, particularly as the disease progresses. And many family members assume there’s an all-or-nothing approach: either manage the senior’s needs at home, or face moving him or her into residential care.
At Home Independent Living, however, offers an alternative that’s beneficial to seniors with dementia as well as their family caregivers: the addition of a professional in-home dementia caregiver to provide as much or as little respite care as needed. Here’s why we believe dementia care at home is best:
- Highly skilled care. Because our caregivers are both trained and experienced in the many intricate facets of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, they can proactively address and more effectively manage even the most challenging of behaviors, such as wandering, aggression, sundowning, and more.
- Enhanced safety. The risk of accidents is enhanced for those with dementia. Even something as seemingly simple as helping your loved one into the shower or onto the toilet can create a dangerous fall risk. Professional caregivers know how to watch for and prevent falls, keeping both you and your loved one safe from injury.
- Sustainable aging in place. Many times, family caregivers become so overwhelmed trying to meet a senior loved one’s needs in tandem with their own that a move to a residential dementia care facility seems inevitable. Yet partnering with a professional dementia caregiver opens up the possibility to long-term, effective care at home.
- Peace of mind. Knowing your loved one is in capable hands allows you to take a deep breath, relax, and step away from the pressures of caregiving for the much-needed breaks that alleviate stress and the potential for caregiver burnout and depression.
It’s best to explore in-home dementia care options as early in the disease as possible to allow for a more seamless transition and to ensure your loved one has the best possible care right from the start. Contact us online or call us at (315) 579-HOME (4663) to request a free consultation for memory care in Fayetteville and surrounding areas. We can create a highly personalized plan of care that will enhance quality of life for a senior loved one today and as needs change in the days to come.