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Home Care for People with Dementia
Dr. Diane Darby Beach, Gerontologist • May 29, 2019
When considering in-home care for a loved one with dementia, it is important for families to understand the difference between regular home care and dementia home care. This allows the family to choose the option that is most suitable for their loved one at the time.
Regular In-Home Care
Regular home care, which is often referred to as in-home care, is non-medical in nature. This type of care is a great option for individuals who are able to maintain some independence but do require assistance with certain tasks.
Dementia In-Home Care
Dementia home care is tailored for those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. While caregivers offer the same assistance as regular home care, dementia caregivers are familiar with the stages of the disease, how it manifests, common problematic behaviors, communication strategies to adequately deal with them, and safety issues related to dementia. Commonly, care plans are established to focus on the likes, dislikes, and personality of the individual with dementia, and activities are planned accordingly to stimulate one’s memory.
Home Care Needs as the Disease Progresses:
Persons with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias have different needs and these can be met with in-home caregivers in the following ways:
Early Stage
In early-stage Alzheimer’s (typically lasts 2-4 years), In this stage, one may forget common words and need simple reminders to assist with memory. One may also need assistance with medication management, organization, money management, remembering and keeping appointments, and developing coping strategies to maintain independence.
Middle Stage
During middle-stage Alzheimer’s (typically lasts 2-10 years). During this stage, Alzheimer’s patients may require in-home assistance with activities of daily living, such as dressing and feeding oneself. They may also need reminders, such as what is appropriate clothing for the season. Consistency with in-home caregivers is critical to success.
Late Stage
During late-stage Alzheimer’s (typically lasts 1-3 or more years), an individual will require intensive care 24-hours/day. Behavior and mood is extremely unpredictable and one may even experience hallucinations and delusions. Help is needed with every facet of living. Commonly, an individual with Alzheimer’s will need to move to a facility, such as a Memory Care Unit
(if they haven’t already done so), in order to receive the extensive care that is needed.
What to Look for When Selecting In-Home Dementia Care
As mentioned previously, paid dementia caregivers have training and experience in caring for someone with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Here are questions to ask of ANY potential home care provider of your loved one with dementia.
- Are staff trained on validation techniques?
- Do you train staff on person-centered care?
- Do staff understand the disease, the progression of it, how to handle confrontational moods and behavior?
- Are staff trained on ALL aspects of activities of daily living?
- Are staff trained on basic dementia-specific communication skills?
- Do staff know how to plan appropriate, person-centered activities for their client with dementia?
For more information on this topic or to set up an appointment with Dr. Beach, please call her @ Care Choice Health Systems at: 760-798-4508.