If your parent is suffering from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, you know how difficult it can be to provide care. Additionally, your loved one may have coexisting age-related health issues such as diabetes, arthritis, a heart condition, COPD, or hearing/vision loss that make their care even more challenging.
If your loved one has a form of dementia, you may be wondering if it is possible for them to remain in their home. The good news is that it is! That being said, there are some important things to consider such as their health, safety, mobility, and quality of life. This is where an in-home caregiver who has specialized training in dementia and memory care comes in.
Benefits of Hiring a Dementia-Trained In-Home Caregiver
In previous blogs we have gone over the many benefits a qualified in-home caregiver can provide such as enabling your loved one to enjoy the familiarity of home and continue their daily routine, maintain a certain degree of privacy and independence, remain active and mobile, and stay connected with your family. Hiring a caregiver who is trained in dementia care can provide these additional benefits that will give you great peace of mind:
- Safety training – Anyone caring for a dementia patient knows that their safety needs to be a high priority, since seniors with dementia may be prone to wander off, become upset or disoriented and exhibit other high-risk behaviors. Knowledge of the risks associated with dementia and knowing how to manage a variety of dementia-related risk situations is an important part of dementia training.
2. Increased supervision – Dementia-trained caregivers understand the need for increased supervision and how to tactfully provide assistance without compromising your loved one’s independence and dignity.
3. Meaningful activities – In-home caregivers can provide meaningful activities for dementia patients by learning about their interests or hobbies and, if need be, adapt the way they engage in them. For example, if golf is something an elder enjoyed, they may visit a golf course for a walk or to watch others play the game.
4. Memory care – Helping your loved one remember and reminisce about past events is a big part of memory care. A caregiver trained in dementia care will learn as much as they can about your loved one, so they can provide essential memory care services. These activities will also benefit your family, as memories can be shared and preserved for future generations.
5. Sensorial stimulation – A trained and experienced in-home caregiver will work to engage clients in activities that stimulate their senses, even as their interests and abilities change. These activities could include art, music therapy, dance therapy, aromatherapy, and any other activities that engage the senses and have a beneficial effect on your parent’s cognitive, emotional, physical, and social functioning and health.
6. Customized care – Another advantage of hiring a dementia-trained caregiver is their ability to closely monitor your parent and recommend any adjustments to the level of care as your loved one’s condition progresses.
In summary, if you aren’t sure if your cognitively impaired loved one can remain in their home, think again! With the right combination of family support and the care of a dementia-trained caregiver, they can live out their golden years in peace, safety, and dignity.