When a loved one is living with dementia, they may have a difficult time with more than just their memories. They may also find that dressing, bathing, and other activities of daily living are tremendously difficult to do on their own. When they reach this stage of their illness, having extra help around the house can be beneficial to the patient and also to the family. In-home care provides you with the support of dedicated medical professionals who will improve your loved one’s quality of life and also benefit the rest of your family in several ways. The following are some of the many benefits you can enjoy by securing in-home care services for your loved one.
When Is In-Home Care Needed?
During the early stages of dementia, your loved one may not need any special care. However, as their condition progresses, some help with their daily needs may be necessary. If your loved one is having difficulty completing regular tasks, such as dressing or bathing, or if their forgetfulness is putting them in harm’s way, the attentive care of a certified nursing assistant or geriatric nursing assistant can keep them safe. Because caring for a loved one with dementia can take up an extraordinary amount of time and energy, the assistance of in-home care may also be necessary if you are overwhelmed and in need of some extra support. Speak with an in-home care agency for more information about when you should consider in-home care for your loved one with dementia.
Eating
Maintaining a healthy diet helps your loved one keep up the strength of their muscles and bones, which can be injured easily in a fall. It is important that your loved one eat well, especially given their illness. Proper nutrition can also improve their mood and energy levels, which are essential at a time when your loved one may be feeling isolated and lonely. An in-home care aide can help your loved one prepare and clean up their meals in addition to feeding them, if necessary. This allows them to get the nutrition they need without worrying about how they’re going to prepare their meals or forgetting to make them in the first place.
Bathing, Hygiene, and Grooming
Even something as mundane as taking a shower can be difficult as we age, and dementia can complicate matters even further. Your in-home care aide can help your loved one bathe, brush their teeth, trim their nails, shave, and complete other tasks of daily hygiene so that they always feel their best. Proper hygiene can also help avoid illness and other health concerns. People who spend much of their time in wheelchairs or in bed can develop bedsores, and the care team will keep a careful watch for those issues, as well as help maintain their health.
Dressing
If your loved one is having a hard time managing laundry and dressing, a professional caregiver will be able to help them choose, put on, and take off their clothes each day. Caregivers can also assist with doing laundry so that your loved one always has clean clothing and never has to worry about managing that part of their routine. The way we dress can often impact our mood, and if your loved one is able to wear what they feel most comfortable in, they’re more likely to remain in good spirits.
Mobility
Being able to move about one’s home freely is a critical element of independence. With the help of a professional caregiver, your loved one will be able to leave their bed comfortably, go to doctors’ appointments, and take walks around the block to help them get some light exercise in when possible. Caregivers are trained on how to safely support your loved one’s mobility, giving your loved one the ability to go wherever they need without risking hazardous falls that could lead to broken bones or other serious injuries.
Toileting
Elderly loved ones may eventually need help using the restroom, which is a significant adjustment to their daily routines. A compassionate in-home care aide will use the greatest discretion to assist your loved one with their needs, including changing adult diapers and changing and emptying catheter drainage bags, if necessary. While this may take some getting used to, the support of a highly trained professional caregiver can help your loved one at ease.
Family Benefits
An in-home care professional gives your loved one the support they need to retain a high quality of life as they progress through their dementia. While they are the main beneficiary of this care, you and your family will benefit, too. Not only do you get the peace of mind from knowing that your loved one is receiving high-quality care, but you also get the benefit of a little bit of time off for yourself. Family caregivers need time to rest and attend to other responsibilities, and while a caregiver is with your loved one, you’ll have the time you need. You’ll also benefit from the expert knowledge and guidance that a caregiver can provide, allowing you to ensure your loved one’s comfort even when the caregiving team is unavailable.
Securing In-Home Care Services
Speak to Comfort Home Care for more information about their in-home care services for dementia patients. The agency’s experienced certified nursing assistants and geriatric nursing assistants have wide-ranging experience and expert knowledge, and they understand the unique concerns associated with dementia patients. The agency knows how to care for patients, and they know who to provide the highest quality care to all of their patients. Comfort Home Care will provide you with a free evaluation to discuss your loved one’s needs and how they and your family can be best supported, and the team will also create a customized care plan to ensure those needs are met. With the support of an expert in-home care aid, your loved one and your family will have a higher quality of life.
