Taking care of a loved one with dementia can be an incredibly difficult and emotional experience. It can be a physically and emotionally draining task as caregivers must manage their own lives while providing 24-hour care for their loved ones. It can become even more challenging when the individual’s condition progresses and they require help with activities of daily living like dressing, eating, and bathing.

Without the proper training of a caretaker, it can become difficult to provide your loved one with the care they deserve. Here is how home care can help your loved one living with dementia.

What Is Home Care?

Home care is a form of elderly care where family members or hired professionals provide medical, nursing, and personal care services to seniors in their own homes. It can help seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living like bathing, dressing, eating, and medication management as well as those who require more complex medical support.

The main advantage of in-home care services is that it allows seniors to stay in the comfort of their own homes while receiving the care they need. Home caregivers also provide companionship to the elderly and help promote their physical and mental health. Home care can be a cost-effective option for families, providing an affordable alternative to institutional care or assisted living facilities.

Your Loved One Is Able To Live In Their Own Home

Living at home can be beneficial for seniors living with dementia. The familiarity of the home environment can provide comfort and stability, helping to reduce feelings of disorientation and confusion. Senior care providers can also help manage the daily tasks that become more challenging as dementia progresses, such as bathing, dressing, eating, medication management, and toilet use.

Home care providers are also trained to help seniors with dementia cope with behavioral issues like agitation and aggression that often accompany the condition. Staying in the familiar environment of their own home will also allow for better monitoring of a senior's mental health, so any changes in behavior or mood can be quickly identified and responded to accordingly.

It Enables More Independence

Home care for seniors living with dementia can provide them with more independence and control of their day-to-day life. Home care providers are trained to help manage the daily tasks that become more challenging as dementia progresses, such as bathing, dressing, eating, medication management, and toilet use. This helps to ensure the senior's safety while still allowing them to maintain some degree of independence.

Home caretakers provide companionship and support to encourage participation in meaningful activities like reading or going for a walk. In addition, a home caregiver can help remind the senior of household chores like laundry or cooking, which will allow them to feel accomplished and proud of their accomplishments. Helping seniors living with dementia remain in control of their lives is an essential part of enabling more independence outside their homes.

At-Home Care Protects Your Loved One From Infections

At-home care for a loved one with dementia can help protect them from infections and diseases. Home caregivers are trained to observe and monitor symptoms that might signal an underlying infection or health issue, such as changes in appetite, sleep habits, mood, or behavior. They are also able to recognize the signs of serious illnesses like pneumonia or urinary tract infections and alert medical personnel so treatment can be provided quickly.

Home care providers are also well-versed on how to properly clean and sanitize a home environment to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious agents. These measures help keep your loved one safe while allowing them greater independence within their own homes.

Home Care Saves The Cost of In-Patient Care

Senior home care for those living with dementia is a cost-effective alternative to in-patient care. Home care agencies are able to provide the same quality of care at a fraction of the cost associated with in-patient facilities. Home health aides can provide basic medical care, such as administering medications and monitoring vitals, as well as helping with other daily activities like bathing and meal preparation.

They are also trained to observe signs of a potential medical emergency which can be addressed immediately by calling 911 or taking the person to the hospital if necessary. While this type of care may require additional costs in terms of personal caregivers, it provides a great deal more flexibility and freedom than traditional institutionalized settings while still delivering quality healthcare.

Home Care Reduces Hospitalization Rates

Home care for those living with dementia can help reduce hospitalization rates as they are trained to identify and respond to changes in the person’s condition that might signal an underlying health issue, such as changes in appetite, sleep habits, mood, or behavior. They are also able to recognize more serious illnesses like pneumonia or urinary tract infections and alert medical personnel so treatment can be provided quickly. Home care aides can also provide basic medical care, such as administering medications and monitoring vitals, which can help avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room.

Additionally, home healthcare providers are well-versed on how to properly clean and sanitize a home environment to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious agents that could lead to illness or hospitalization. By taking these steps, home caregivers help ensure your loved one is receiving the best possible care while reducing their chances of hospitalization.

Home Care Provides The Family With Peace of Mind

Home care for seniors living with dementia provides peace of mind to the family. Knowing that their loved one is in the care of dedicated and experienced professionals ensures that their relative is receiving the best possible care in a comfortable and safe home environment. The presence of a caring home health aide can also provide companionship and support for both the individual as well as their family, allowing them to talk out problems, concerns, or just share happy memories.

If you have a loved one that is struggling with dementia or are interested in at-home care services, contact our at-home care team at Gallagher Home Care Services or schedule a free consultation directly online today!