Alzheimer’s is one of the most common forms of dementia that seniors will face in their later stages of life. In fact, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than five million Americans suffer from this disease. With numbers this high, it’s likely that you will have a loved one in your life that will eventually be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. While this can feel like a frightening statistic, it’s important to know that there are a variety of solutions available to help you care for a loved one that’s dealing with Alzheimer’s.
We understand the feeling of being overwhelmed that can come along with caring for someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. With so many different opinions on navigating and understanding this diagnosis, an internet search can often only add to that feeling of overwhelm. So instead of scouring the web for answers, wouldn’t it be nice if you had access to comprehensive solutions all in one place?
We’ve dedicated years of hard work to learning and how to best care for someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. As experienced dementia home caregivers in San Diego, our duty is to arm you with all of the information you should know about understanding an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, how to best care for someone with Alzheimer’s, and alternative solutions for long-term care. So, let’s discuss a few key pieces of information.
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis
There are several different ways that Alzheimer’s may begin to show signs. Typically it will be diagnosed by a licensed physician that’s been trained in brain conditions. The physician will run a few tests to be sure such as mental status testing, neuropsychological tests, and interviewing with friends and family, among other tests.
Some early warning signs are memory impairment, inability to concentrate, confusion around location, poor judgment, and more. When you start to notice these early warning signs, it’s essential to consult a doctor right away—as they’ll be able to suggest the most appropriate route for your loved one.
Before giving an official Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the doctor will rule out other events that could be contributing to symptoms, such as memory loss, that align with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. This could include the consideration of things like a stroke in the past, Parkinson’s Disease, depression, sleep apnea, or other medical conditions.
If all of these factors are ruled out and an official Alzheimer’s diagnosis is given, then the next step will be to start considering how you’ll be able to care for your loved one with the proper treatment to meet their needs. With various solutions available, it’ll be essential to determine a fitting and comfortable solution for the senior who received the diagnosis. Let’s discuss a few of the available options.
In-home memory care
In-home memory and Dementia Home Care are one of the best options that you should consider for a variety of reasons. When dealing with someone suffering from memory loss, one of the most helpful things to assist them in maintaining a strong memory is to be surrounded by familiar things, i.e., in the home in which they’ve lived years. By staying in an environment they know and are comfortable with, they’ll have natural reinforcement that helps keep the mind strong.
Various in-home care options can be tailored to meet the unique needs of seniors with varying memory conditions. When an in-home care provider is assisting your loved one with their memory care, they’ll focus on building a trusting relationship with them. As a part of establishing the relationship, they’ll be honoring them as a person and helping them to build the confidence that enhances their overall memory functionality.
In order to keep the mind stimulated, in-home care providers will have seniors undergo a series of engaging activities that would encourage them to call back to previous events and memories. Keeping a routine that they’ll be comfortable with, this engagement has been found to help maintain memory strength and slow down the severity of Alzheimer’s.
When you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s on your own, it can feel like a full-time job, even with the help of an in-home care provider. Sometimes, you just need relief, and there are options for that as well. Let’s talk about how respite care can be helpful when dealing with Alzheimer’s.
Respite Care
This is an option for temporary relief that can give you a moment to catch your breath. Respite care is designed to ease the burden that some family members face when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Because to be the best caregiver you can be, it’s important to have breaks where you can recharge and regroup.
A respite care center will work with seniors in the same way that an in-home care provider would. They can talk with your primary in-home care provider to learn about the engaging activities being worked on and continue those in respite care to keep the mind stimulated.
As a reputable Dementia Home Caregiver in San Diego, we’re well connected with a variety of respite care centers in the area and offer placement services absolutely free. We’ll work with places like The Arc of San Diego and Senior Helpers to find a match that’s suitable for the loved senior in your life.
Navigating Alzheimer’s Home Care
There’s no question that when you’re caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, you may feel like your back is against the wall. The good news is that there’s hope. Golden Care is proud to offer comprehensive in-Home Care in San Diego and respite care placement services that make treating someone with Alzheimer’s not so daunting.
To learn more about an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and available options—give us a call; we’d love to learn more about your specific situation.
