Home Care to Aid Alzheimer’s or other Dementia?
Families often choose in-home care provided by a family member during the early stages of Alzheimer’s, dementia or other forms of memory loss. In-home care allows your loved one to maintain a degree of independence, while remaining in the comfort of their own home. If recommended by your physician, in-home caregiving can be an appropriate starting point for early stage Alzheimer’s or other memory care patients.
Tips for Alzheimer’s and Dementia In-Home Caregivers:
- Be supportive of your loved ones feelings, interests, and activities.
- Creating a daily routine and sticking to it will provide needed structure for your loved one.
- Patient safety is paramount. Keep the home environment calm, quiet, and safe.
- Don’t serve three big meals a day, offer smaller, more frequent meals.
- Create a daily “to do” list or schedule for your loved one to follow and refer to every day.
- Be sure your loved one gets enough rest.
- Encourage favorite pastimes, hobbies and visits from friends.
- Take them with you on short errands and shopping trips.
- Develop an exercise program that accommodates your loved one’s physical abilities.
- Maintain good hygiene and offer assistance with their personal care.
- Create a list of emergency phone numbers and make it accessible from all phones.
- Install smoke and security alarms.
- Make sure all exterior doors and windows can be locked.
- Install handrails on all stairways and grab bars in all bathrooms.
- Install nightlights both inside and out.
- Remove throw rugs, room clutter and any trip and fall hazards.
- Remove locks from bathroom and closet doors.
- Consider using a baby monitor to listen for any unusual sounds or calls for help
Caring for the Caregiver
Being a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia requires a large commitment of time and brings with it many challenges and high levels of stress. It’s important for the health and well-being of the caregivers to take a break on a regular basis. You can turn to professional Jacksonville Respite Care facility to get any needed help and support.