Home Care for Seniors with Dementia

There are more than 5.8 million people in the United States living with dementia, and the majority of those people live at home. That means when they can’t care for themselves, their care often falls to family members and loved ones. Caring for a loved one with dementia can lead to burnout, exhaustion and resentment. It also can take up much of your life as you actively care for them. Hiring an in-home caregiver can help relieve some of this burden.

Caregivers can help as much or as little as you need. They can offer respite care - meaning they come in just to give you a break. They can offer full-time care, coming in every day, all day. Or they can offer part-time care, coming into the home a few hours a week. Many home care agencies, including Visiting Angels Webster, have compassionate caregivers on staff who are specifically trained to work with patients with dementia. 

Home care can be a valuable resource for people living with dementia and their families, because it offers specialized support and care in the comfort and familiarity of the home. Here are some ways home care can help those with dementia.

A Safe Environment

Having a home care worker within the house can provide an extra set of eyes on your senior loved one. When you can’t be there, you can be assured their safety is taken care of with trained professionals whose entire goal is to care for your loved one. Home care workers also are trained to ensure the living environment is safe, and alert family members if any issues arise. They can help walk with them to prevent falls and accidents, and can notify family members of any health-related problems that arise when they can’t be there.

Personalized Care

Home care can provide individualized care tailored to the specific needs of the patient. That care can include help with daily living activities, such as dressing, bathing, toileting and more. In-home caregivers also can help remind patients to take medications, wash up after lunch or whatever their client needs. If the client has trouble walking, they also can offer them mobility support.

Companionship

Often people with dementia feel lonely or isolated. They may feel confused or anxious. An in-home caregiver can be there for emotional support and be there for someone to talk to. They can help ensure your senior loved one is not alone, and doesn’t feel alone. Home care workers can be a friendly face to greet your loved one each morning when they wake up. They can sit with them while they eat breakfast, and listen to their stories. They can ask them questions and get your loved one talking. They also can just be there as a companion, and watch movies together or sit outside on the porch and enjoy the afternoon with some lemonade. They also can help provide them cognitive stimulation, such as doing a crossword puzzle together or playing card games.

Relief for Loved Ones

Home care can help provide much-needed relief for family caregivers, allowing them to take breaks or attend to other responsibilities. Often people with dementia go through periods of combativeness or aggression. For family members who are with them day in and day out it can become frustrating. It is easy for family members to start to lose patience, and focus solely on the illness instead of who their loved one actually is and why they care so much. Having a home care worker can help provide much needed relief, and allow family members to return to their loved one with a refreshed and renewed attitude. They also can take on some of the tasks that family members find difficult doing, such as bathing or toileting their loved one, so that they can focus instead on spending time with them.

Here to Help

If you are looking for someone to help the seniors in your life, our caregivers at Visiting Angels Webster can help. We have trained caregivers who specialize in seniors suffering from dementia or Alzheimers. We also offer a variety of services, including companion care, personal care, fall prevention, respite care and more, all of which are tailored just for the needs of your seniors and you.

We serve seniors in Southeast Houston and the Bay Area Communities, including El Lago, Webster, Pearland, Friendswood, Kemah, League City, Dickinson, Taylor Lake Village, Deer Park, Pasadena, Seabrook, San Leon, Texas City, Clear Lake Shores and Brookside Village. We can come to your home, find out what needs you have, and develop a care plan tailored to your needs. Call us at (832) 621-3742 for more information.

If you are interested in caring for senior clients in the community, visit us online to find out more about a career in home care.