Dementia presents a special challenge when it comes to caring for seniors. Dementia patients have different needs. While many can and do remain in their own homes, ensuring they have adequate care as the disease progresses presents a challenge for patients and caretakers alike.
At home care is one way you can ensure your loved one receives the care they need while remaining in their own home. It has many benefits for dementia patients, including the following.
Giving You a Break
This may not look like a direct benefit for dementia patients themselves, but one geared for caretakers. Giving you a break is actually important for the care of your loved one!
How does it benefit your loved one? If you’re the sole caregiver, you’ll likely become stressed and tired. You may not provide the best possible care for your loved one in this situation. You may even become ill yourself, which interrupts caregiving.
At home care ensures you get the additional support you need, as well as breaks. Taking care of you helps you take care of your loved one to the best of your ability, providing them with the best possible care.
A Familiar Caregiver
Dementia patients need routine and familiarity. Changes in their schedules and unknown faces are disruptive and upsetting to them. At home care often offers the best possible continuity of care for your loved one.
Home care service providers try to send the same caregiver as often as possible. If someone is sick, they may need to send a different person, but they’ll try to ensure your loved one is familiar with the person they do send.
Familiarity and continuity of care ensure your loved one feels safe and secure with the care they’re receiving.
A Friendly Face
Home care also provides much-needed social interaction for your loved one. Dementia patients sometimes become isolated or cut off as they must rely on others to take them to the store or to community classes or activities.
At home care provides another friendly face for your loved one to interact with on a regular basis. Many seniors form friendships with their caregivers. These relationships are important anchors in your loved one’s social network. They can help insulate them from depression and loneliness.
Care in a Familiar Environment
If your loved one has dementia but isn’t yet ready to go to a long-term care facility, at home care is a great option.
One of the things caregivers worry about is transplanting dementia patients into new and unfamiliar surroundings. Dementia patients often perform better in a familiar environment, which is a good reason to allow them to stay at home as long as possible. Care provided in their own home helps you provide excellent care for your loved one in an environment where they feel comfortable.
Better Care
At the end of the day, home care can help you provide better care to your loved one. Dementia patients may need additional assistance with the tasks of day-to-day living in addition to needing social stimulation and familiarity.
At home care can help you provide your loved one with all of these things. As mentioned, it’s also helpful for you. You can take the break you deserve and get the help you need while still delivering all the quality care your loved one needs and deserves.
At home care may be the right option for you and your loved one. If you haven’t considered it yet, talk to a provider to learn how they can help you help your loved one live their best life.
