Although an incredible number of older adults are struggling with the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, an even greater number of family members are trying to cope with caring for them. Interestingly, nearly 75% of family caregivers are managing their senior loved ones’ dementia care needs by themselves, with only 26% seeking professional care services.
Naturally, families want to do all they can to satisfy their loved ones’ needs, but dementia caregiving can result in a very high level of both mental and physical stress. This takes a toll on the caretakers' own health and wellbeing in the long run, particularly as the disease advances. And many members of the family believe there is an all-or-nothing strategy: either oversee their loved one's needs in the home, or face moving her or him into residential care.
Fortunately, Amy’s Helping Hands in Windsor offers an alternative that’s good for seniors with dementia as well as their family caregivers: the addition of an expert in-home dementia caregiver to give as much or as little respite care as needed. Here is why we consider dementia care at home to be most beneficial:
- Highly trained care. Because our Windsor home care providers are both skilled and knowledgeable on the many detailed facets of Alzheimer’s disease along with other types of dementia, they're able to proactively address and more easily manage even the most challenging of behaviors, such as wandering, aggression, sundowning, and much more.
- Enhanced safety. The possibility of accidents is increased for persons with dementia. Even something as seemingly uncomplicated as assisting your loved one into the shower or onto the toilet can add a dangerous fall risk. Professional caregivers know just how to watch for and prevent falls, keeping both you and your family member safe from harm.
- Sustainable aging in place. Frequently, family caregivers become so overwhelmed wanting to meet each one of a senior loved one’s needs in conjunction with their own that a relocation to a residential dementia care facility appears unavoidable. But working with a knowledgeable dementia caregiver opens up the possibility for long-term, beneficial care at home.
- Ease of mind. Understanding your loved one is in qualified hands lets you take a breath, relax, and step away from the pressures of caregiving for the essential breaks that decrease stress and the possibility of caregiver burnout and depression.
It’s best to explore in-home dementia care possibilities as early in the disease as you can, to allow for an even more seamless transition and to be sure that your family member gets the most effective care from the very beginning. Call our Essex or Windsor home care team in Windsor and Essex Counties at 519-915-4370 or contact us online to ask about an assessment in the comfort of home, where we can establish a highly customized plan of care that will enhance quality of life for your senior loved one today, and as needs change in the future.
