Helping to Manage Sundowner’s Syndrome

Living with Alzheimer’s can be a challenge for the entire family. Whether your family has professional Alzheimer’s care assistance or if you are caring for your loved one alone, it can seem as if each day is full of new challenges and developments. 

One of the things that makes Alzehimer’s care so challenging is that those living with the disease can have different needs at different times of the day. Late afternoon and early evening can be especially hard for those who experience Sundowner’s Syndrome.

What is Sundowner’s Syndrome?

It is a change in behavior, temperament, or personality that occurs in the late afternoon or early evening.  This occurrence is also known as “sundown syndrome” or “sundowners” or “sundowning.”

The experts at WebMD cite that 1 out of 5 people in need of Alzheimer’s care suffer from Sundowner’s Syndrome. Doctors do not know what causes the sundowning behavior. However, the part of the brain that tells you if you are awake or asleep typically breaks down in Alzheimer’s patients. Some scientists think these neurological changes affect the inner body clock. 

Sundowning can manifest in several ways. Your loved one may become:

• Agitated
• Restless
• Irritable
• Confused
• Disoriented
• Demanding
• Suspicious

People with Sundowner’s Syndrome may even yell or pace around the room, sometimes hearing or seeing things that are not there. They may also exhibit mood swings. These behaviors can become progressively worse and can range in duration from a short time to the entire night.

Suggestions for Managing Sundowner’s Syndrome

As a family caregiver, you will need to demonstrate flexibility and empathy to help your loved one feel as peaceful as possible.

1. OBSERVE
   Take careful notice of events that trigger the behavior. Does the evening news instigate agitation? Is the late afternoon a time of significant activity in your home? Anything that disturbs the regular order of the day could prompt a behavioral change. Nutritional triggers can also stimulate behavior. Assess and possibly limit caffeine, sugar, and alcohol intake.
   
   
   
2. DISTRACT
   If this is their new reality, you must endeavor to understand it. Don’t express frustration with your loved one, but use activities, such as music or television shows, they enjoy as a calming tactic. It will divert their attention from troubling thoughts yet soothe them with the familiar things they love. Consider companion care from a professional home care agency to assist your loved one during the most challenging hours of sundowning behavior.
   
   
   
3. ADJUST
   In addition to natural light, the use of bright lights in the room during the day will ward off the evening shadows and maintain the daytime glow until it is time for bed.
   
   
   
4. SIMPLIFY
   Adjust their sleep environment to one that is welcoming and serene. Light-blocking curtains can create a cocoon-like setting that encourages a restful night’s sleep.
   
   
   
5. CONSULT
   Check with your loved one’s doctor* about natural supplements and discuss the possibility of recommending anti-anxiety and even anti-depressant meds. Use caution when purchasing anything over the counter unless the doctor has confirmed there is no interference with already prescribed medications.

Finally, try to have patience. It may take a little time to figure out what combination of solutions works for your loved one. When it comes to Alzheimer’s and dementia care, everyone is different. If you need professional at-home living assistance, we are here to help.

Together with your family, we will give your loved one all the respect and love they deserve with the finest in Alzheimer’s care. To request a free in-home consultation, and find out more about our caregiver services, call us today at 617-795-2727.

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton:

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our dementia and Alzheimer’s care, companion care, respite care, transitional aid, and elder home care services in Brookline, Watertown, Needham, Dedham, Canton, Stoughton, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, Westwood, Norwood and nearby towns. While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. If you find yourself or a loved one in need of in-home senior care services, don't hesitate to contact us!

* This article is for information purposes only and should not be considered an endorsement or recommendation for treatment of any kind. If you are concerned about your loved one's health, a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s, or about their progression after diagnosis, please contact their physician. Visiting Angels does not provide medical care and does not provide recommendations on the type of treatments available for dementia or Alzheimers, nor do we endorse any specific treatments.

When Your Loved One Rejects Home Care

Maybe you’ve been concerned about your mom recently. As she ages, you’re noticing a few worrisome signs that her needs at home are about to evolve beyond her independence. Sure, you’d love to stop by the house more frequently to help, but with a career and family schedule, it’s nearly impossible for you to take on this massive responsibility. It's a typical scenario in families, and it usually results in uprooting a senior to a nursing home or assisted living facility or retaining professional home care.

However, people can be stubborn, especially parents who may be insecure about a type of "role reversal" happening. Your parent not only refuses to leave home, but Mom or Dad is rejecting the very idea of a professional caregiver.

So how do you get them on board when they want to stay home but don’t want help from a professional caregiver? Here are five ways to find a caregiving compromise.

Talk Through Their Fears — and Yours

It’s not easy for your parents to admit they need help. The thought of having another person in the home to help them perform tasks that used to be routine could make them quite uncomfortable. Of course, over time, that professional home health aide can become a close friend and partner, but it may take a while and trust-building.

Work through these fears with your parents instead of forcing a solution. When an adult child becomes too controlling, the resistance from your parents is bound to increase. A 2004 study from SUNY Albany found this to be accurate, stating that participants were ambivalent about receiving care and “use a variety of strategies to deal with their ambivalent feelings, such as minimizing the help they receive, ignoring or resisting children’s attempts to control.”

Though you may be frustrated by rejection and reticence, put yourself in their shoes. Be understanding, and once your parent feels understood, explain your point of view. Remember not to be patronizing or disrespectful, but share your genuine concerns about being able to stay home safely.

More Dancing, Less Wrestling

An expert in geriatric communication and family relationships, David Solie, wrote a book about the best ways to navigate these difficult conversations. It was called “How to Say It to Seniors: Closing the Communication Gap with Our Elders.” Solie recommends the partnership approach and advocates for adult children to “put control on the table” rather than commandeering the process. He believes conversations about care should be “more dancing, less wrestling.”

To that end, he offers many tools to talk in more concrete, visual ways about the current situation and the proposed solution. His "dance cards" provide go-to strategies on topics like resetting expectations and minding the gap, and his caregiver “mind maps” allow a caregiver to lay out in detail all the aspects of care to be considered. You could also keep a journal of your parents’ changing in-home senior care needs. All of these checklists and resources are especially helpful in getting buy-in from siblings as well, as your parents may not be the only ones opposed to bringing in-home care.

Consider the Risks

Staying home without any support can be risky. For one family, an aging spouse refused any at-home living assistance. The family has been worried about his waning mobility. Ultimately, he suffered a fall, which led to a hospitalization and, unfortunately, his passing — as he was not able to recover from the injuries he sustained. While no family can be fully prepared for a fall or other type of sudden health event, there are ways to prevent injuries and incidents that lead to such devastating outcomes — and having a professional caregiver as a presence in the home is one of them.

Of course, not every fall results in such a tragic outcome; however, the road to recovery can be a turbulent one for a senior who has fallen. Along with doubling the risk of falling again after falling just once, the sheer financial impact can be crippling.

All of this is to say, the risk of leaving Mom or Dad alone when he or she needs help isn't worth it, and you must discuss the risks with your parent.

Work With a Mediator

You’ve explored every avenue of persuasion, using all the logic at your disposal, but it may be there is just no convincing Mom or Dad that this is the best option. That’s when bringing in a neutral third party to moderate the conversation could make a difference in the outcome. Sometimes your parents need to hear the options, risks, benefits, and challenges presented by someone who is not as emotionally invested as you are. A mediator may also help lessen the guilt burden many parents put on their children for considering home care. AARP offers these resources for finding a mediator, should this approach work best for your family.

Present Options and Let Them Choose

Empower your parents to decide on home care by gathering information on some providers. Ask for their input: what do they value in a home care company? What’s the budget? Talk about what a professional caregiver can do that they maybe never considered as an option: like providing companionship, or helping with housework and transportation to doctor’s appointments. Once you’ve gathered information on a few options, sit down together to discuss the pros and cons.

Remember: even as you partner with a professional caregiver, you will still play an essential role as coordinator and advocate. Your opinion on a trusted in-home caregiver is equally valuable.

Need more advice on building consensus on home care among the family? Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can help. Contact us today at 617-795-2727.

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton:

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our Alzheimer's care, dementia home care, companion care, senior care, respite support, transitional aid, and at home living assistance services in Westwood, Norwood, Brookline, Watertown, Needham, Dedham, Canton, Stoughton, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns.

We are honored to have been awarded Top Places to Work by the Boston Globe for five years. We have also earned the Best of Home Care – Leader in Excellence, Trusted Provider, Best of Home Care Provider, and Best of Home Care Employer by Home Care Pulse. We are proudly accredited by the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts.

While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. Call us at 617-795-2727 for information.

Finding a Compatible Home Care Provider

Finding the right home care provider for your spouse, parent, or grandparent can be difficult. Thanks to our Select Your Caregiver® program, Visiting Angels® makes it easy for care recipients and their families to find a compatible home care provider. We’ve been matching clients with qualified, skilled, and compassionate caregivers for more than two decades. We know what it takes to find the right fit, and we understand how important and impactful your choice of caregiver will be.

If you’re currently looking for a home care provider and you’re unsure what to look for in a caregiver, don’t worry. By focusing on the following three qualities, you will quickly narrow down the list of potential caregivers.

1. Caregiving Skills & Experience

Home care is a wide-ranging industry, encompassing many different types of care services. On one end of the spectrum is companion care, which provides aging and disabled individuals with a helping hand for necessary, day-to-day activities. On the other end, are various types of specialized care for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.

If your loved one only requires essential in-home living assistance — help running errands, making meals, doing laundry — a companion care provider will be suitable. Other types of care will require a caregiver with specialized skills and experience. This includes physical assistance, as well as specialized care services such as Alzheimer’s care and dementia care.

Before meeting with in-home care agencies, it’s a good idea to draw up a list of tasks that your loved one will need from his or her caregiver. Consider researching caregiving activities online so that you don’t forget anything. This will also allow you to familiarize yourself with which types of caregivers provide which kinds of services.

When meeting with potential in-home care agencies, it is helpful to review this list with them in detail. Ask them whether they provide each of the services your loved one will need. Also, check whether the caregivers are CNA or HHA-certified caregivers; they have training or experience providing these services to seniors. Finally, make sure that they are adequately licensed for whatever level of care your loved one requires.

2. Choose a Home Care Aide with Personality

When hiring a home care provider, a caregiver’s personality can be as important as his or her professional skill set. On a basic level, this will ensure that your loved one trusts his or her caregiver. Without this trust, high-quality home care service can be unhelpful.

On a deeper level, the right personality fit can be the difference between substandard care and the right caregiver. Your loved one will spend several hours a week with their caregiver, so it’s vital that a strong relationship is established. When personalities clash, home care visits are a chore for both parties. However, with the right fit, a caregiver can feel like a new member of the family.

As you meet with caregivers, it’s crucial that you and your loved one get a feel for each caregiver as a person. Will your loved one feel comfortable receiving care from this individual? Will your loved one enjoy conversations or quiet time in this person’s presence? Will you and your family feel at ease with this caregiver looking after your loved one? Trust your instincts and make sure that you, your loved one, and your family are happy with the final decision.

3. Caregiver Availability & Scheduling

The third important factor when choosing a compatible home care provider is scheduling and availability. While some seniors only require a few hours of care every week, others require assistance on a full-time basis or even 24-hour care. The more intensive your loved one’s caregiving needs, the more challenging it can be to find a caregiver with suitable availability.

At the same time, many seniors are set in their day-to-day routines and preferences. It’s important that these routines are maintained or accommodated when scheduling home care visits. If your loved one enjoys sleeping in, early morning visits could be disruptive. If they enjoy afternoon walks, you’ll want to make sure that a caregiver is there to accompany them.

While scheduling and availability are important in a home caregiver, sometimes it’s worth making the sacrifice for the right caregiver. If, for example, you’ve found a caregiver with the ideal skill set and personality, but your loved one would need to take their daily walk an hour later each day, a slight change in your loved one’s routine may be worth it to get the caregiver you feel is the right fit.

Are you looking for qualified home care providers in your area? Contact us today for a free in-home consultation.

Seniors Prefer Living Assistance to Assisted Living

When you ask senior citizen, the vast majority express a preference for living assistance. Rather than move to an assisted living facility, most would prefer to receive in-home living assistance, allowing them to age in place.

For confirmation, look no further than the AARP which conducts regular surveys on aging and housing preferences. In these surveys, the vast majority of respondents express a preference for aging in place — even if this means hiring an in-home care service.

What leads so many seniors to this preference? We have a pretty good idea at Visiting Angels®. Below are 7 of the biggest reasons why our clients choose living assistance as an alternative to assisted living.

7 Reasons Seniors Prefer In-Home Living Assistance

#1. Improved Health Outcomes

One of the best arguments for living assistance is the improved health outcomes of seniors who age in place. Numerous studies have found that seniors who receive care at home live longer than those who move to care facilities. In addition to higher life expectancy, seniors who age in place also enjoy fewer physical, mental, and emotional health challenges.

#2. In-Home Care is More Affordable

When you move to an assisted living facility, you’re spending tens of thousands of dollars each year. In some instances — namely those where 24-hour care or 24/7 monitoring is necessary — this can be cheaper than receiving support at home. However, in cases where seniors need less intensive care, it’s typically much less expensive to hire an in-home caregiver.

#3. Enjoy Greater Independence

Age-related difficulties can rob elderly adults of total independence. However, that doesn’t mean that seniors need to sacrifice their autonomy completely. By continuing to live at home, seniors can maintain as much independence and freedom as possible. In a similar vein, they can preserve their privacy in a way that isn’t possible with assisted living.

#4. Trustworthy Caregiver Relationships

At an assisted living facility, care is delivered by a staff of several caregivers. At any given time, care is provided by whoever happens to be on duty. However, with in-home living assistance, care is provided by the same caregiver or caregivers on each visit. As a result, caregivers can develop close relationships with clients and offer better companion care and personal care, which allows for greater comfort, increased trust, and a more personal (and more personalized!) approach to caregiving.

#5. No Change in Personal Routines

When seniors move to a care facility, they don’t just experience a change of environment. They also undergo a significant change in routine, partly due to a new and unfamiliar space, which impacts how seniors live day-to-day. It also stems from how the facility schedules mealtimes, group activities, and caregiving administration, which can differ significantly from at-home routines.

#6. Familiar Surroundings

After a move, you need to adapt to new living quarters and a new neighborhood. Which can be more jarring than you might expect, especially for seniors who’ve lived in the same area for a significant amount of time. Losing nearby amenities, favorite shops, and cherished neighbors can prove just as alienating, if not more, as the loss of one’s home.

#7. Home Sweet Home

The main reason why seniors prefer living assistance over assisted living should be apparent: they feel most comfortable at home. While some seniors don’t feel strongly about aging in place, they tend to be the exception, not the rule. The vast majority express a clear preference for living at home, the place where they feel the safest, the most secure, and the most content. That’s not possible with assisted living, but with living assistance, it is.

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton provides professional home caregivers who are CNA or HHA-certified home health aides. Schedule a free in-home living assistance consultation by contacting us today!

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton senior home care agency provides quality in-home care services to seniors and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our dementia home care, Alzheimer’s care, companion care, respite support, transitional aid, and elder home care services in Canton, Stoughton, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Needham, Brookline, Chestnut Hill, Westwood, Dedham, Watertown, Roslindale, Norwood, and nearby towns. The services provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton will be sure to make a positive impact on your loved one’s happiness and quality of life. Call us today at 617-795-2727 for more information.

In-Home Care Service Helps Dad Take Care of Mom

 According to 2015 statistics from the Pew Research Center, about 7 percent of spouses are caring for a partner. Although it may seem like the ideal arrangement, in reality, it’s very difficult for many caregiving partners to recognize the need for help and accept it before it’s too late. Spousal caregivers (aged 66-96) who experience caregiving-stress have a 63 percent higher mortality rate than non-caregiving peers, per a report from the Family Caregiver Alliance.

Family Caregiving is Hard Work

It’s easy to think of your parents as keeping each other company at home, but as spousal and family caregivers become more focused on the care receiver over time, they inadvertently cut off contact with friends and sometimes even family. They stop going to church, the library or out to their favorite restaurants. If your father is feeling lonely or depressed while caring for your mother, what kind of care will he be providing?

Caregiving can take an emotional toll on the family caregiver because they are watching the person they love suffer from an illness, injury or disease. A spousal caregiver who feels inadequate to meet his spouse’s needs may feel a sense of guilt, failure, frustration. If the spouse’s personality has changed due dementia or another diagnosis, he may find himself struggling to feel love or compassion towards his partner.

The house itself also tells the story of how caregiving has affected your parents. Dad can’t maintain the level of cleanliness he is used to if he’s afraid to leave Mom alone in a room for more than five minutes. Laundry may pile up, and bills, too.

Family caregiving is hard work, emotionally, physically, and mentally. When one spouse takes on the hard work of managing a household along with their loved one’s daily care needs—all the while dealing with the roller coaster of emotions this role brings—that spouse is at risk of burnout and even early death. To give care, you must take care. To provide the best care, you must care for yourself in the best possible way.

How In-Home Senior Care Helps

Senior home care services helps caregiving couples and the families who love them by providing companionship, light housekeeping, transportation, meal prep, grooming, bathing and help with activities of daily living.  Homecare aides do not replace the vital work of the spousal caregiver. They complement it and enable it to go on for as long as possible. They lighten the load of caregiving so that family caregivers can work through grief as they provide care to their loved ones.

That said, you should always present the idea of home care support as a way for both parents to stay healthy and at home for as long as possible, affirming the value of the care they’re already providing and suggesting the benefits will go both ways—because they do.

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton provides professional and compassionate in-home care services in Brookline, Watertown, Newton, Needham and nearby areas. We have received the Best of Home Care Leader of Excellence Award from Home Care Pulse four years in a row! For more information on why your elderly parent needs more help than a friend or family caregiver can provide, call us at 617-795-2727 or contact us today!

Adult Children Caring for Aging Parents in Natick/Wellesley Area Face Role Reversal

(ARA) - The catch phrase says it all. Adult children who are caring for their parents while also raising their own family are known as “the sandwich generation.” These caregivers find themselves pulled in many directions -- caring for a parent, raising their children, keeping their marriage healthy and often holding down a job as well.

On top of all this, adult caregivers are thrust into the awkward and often unwanted position of feeling like they’re parenting their own parents. “It can be unsettling to find yourself in this role,” says Richard Bitner of Visiting Angels, a national network of franchised non-medical senior homecare agencies. He points out that this reversal in the parenting role can give rise to stress for both parents and caregivers.

A recent survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) found that an estimated 22.4 million U.S. households -- nearly one in four -- are providing care to someone age 50 or older or have provided care during the previous 12 months.

As these caregivers have discovered, it takes a lot of time, energy and patience to care for an aging loved one, and often it can seem like all of these attributes are in short supply. It’s not surprising, then, that guilt coupled with resentment are prevalent emotions among caregivers.

“Caregivers’ lives have been turned upside down,” says Bitner. “Despite the fact that they love their parents, caring for a parent is a big responsibility that affects the whole family.” Plans for the immediate future go out the window. Schedules that were already jam-packed and complicated need to be reworked. Children may resent the new demands on their parents’ time and attention.

With all these added stressors, experts emphasize the importance of caretakers looking after their own physical and emotional health. “You can’t take care of someone else without taking care of yourself first,” agrees Bitner. This involves getting help from others, whether it be from siblings, a support group or a health care service.

Home Care Services for Natick/Wellesley MA and Nearby Areas

The staff at Visiting Angels understands this need. The company provides non-medical caregivers who go into clients’ homes to offer companionship or the elderly parent, do light housekeeping, run errands, prepare meals or do shopping -- all services that can provide a respite for families dealing with the care of a loved one.

“You can be confident that your caregiver is qualified and has excellent references,” says Bitner. The company hires only experienced caregivers who pass a rigorous screening process. They also look for intangible traits such as a caring personality. Many of the company’s caregivers are former hospital staffers looking for the opportunity to do one-on-one personal care for the elderly

“We work with each family to develop an individualized program to manage the daily needs of the client and then match those needs to the best possible caregiver,” explains Bitner. Caregivers are then introduced to the family, who has the final say in the selection process.

Once the caregiver has been placed in the home, Visiting Angels continues its personalized contact through telephone check-ins and home visits to make sure the match is a good one.

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton
Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to elderly and disabled adults. Countless families in Newton, Needham, Brookline, Canton, Westwood, Dedham, Watertown, Natick, Wellesley, Stoughton, Roslindale, Norwood and nearby towns have benefited from our dementia care, Alzheimer's care, companion care, elderly care, respite support, transitional aid, and senior home care services. While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a big impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. Call us at 617-795-2727 for information!

Respite Care Services Helps You Care for Your Loved-One

You’re rushing out of the office on a weeknight, hoping to get your daughter to soccer practice on time, cook dinner and help your other child with their homework. Just as you hit the road, your cell phone rings. It’s the pharmacy telling you that the two prescriptions your father needs immediately are ready for pick up. Or you’re off to your son’s school play just as your mom’s neighbor calls to inform you that she has fallen again and needs you right away.

If these scenarios sound familiar, you’re stuck in the middle and have joined the “sandwich generation.” The term refers to adults with families of their own who find themselves caring for their parents as well. According to numbers from the National Family Caregiver Survey, 44 percent of Americans between the ages of 45 and 55 have aging parents or in-laws as well as children under 21.

This means that lots of families are dealing as best they can with the stress of running two households. Whether your parent lives with you, lives nearby or lives in another state, trying to juggle all these responsibilities is stressful, no matter how much support you have from family and friends.

And don’t forget the guilt. There’s plenty of that, too. Guilt over not spending enough time helping your kids with their homework because you’re cooking and freezing meals for your dad. Guilt over making your mom postpones her doctor appointment because your meeting at work ran overtime. Guilt at not having enough time to spend with your spouse. Guilt over asking your next-door neighbor to drive the kids to football practice – again – because you have to make long distance arrangements to attend to your loved one’s needs in another state.

Homecare Agencies Provide Respite for Families With Elderly Loved-Ones

“Caring for an aging or ill parent is a full-time job that can take a toll on the caregiver. Add to that the demands of your job, lost time at the job plus your immediate family’s needs chances are you’re going to need assistance along the way,” says Richard Bitner of Visiting Angels, a national network of franchised non-medical senior homecare agencies.

“Not everyone needs to be placed into an institutional facility and can remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own home,” says Bitner. “Visiting Angels provides something these families have been missing -- stability in everyone’s lives and peace of mind.”

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton, MA provides senior homecare to help elderly and older adults continue to live in their homes. These caring, experienced home caregivers provide up to 24-hour care in the comfort of the client’s own home.

In addition to offering joyful companionship, Visiting Angels can provide a vital link in patient care. Although Visiting Angels are non-medical caregivers, they are an important link between the patient, their family and their doctor.

Caregivers will also do light housekeeping, run errands, prepare meals or do shopping -- other ways they can provide a respite for families dealing with the care of a loved one.
Please contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton to speak with one of our knowledgeable Case Managers at 617-795-2727 to learn more about our programs.

About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to elderly and disabled adults. Countless families in Newton, Needham, Brookline, Canton, Westwood, Dedham, Watertown, Natick, Wellesley, Stoughton, Roslindale, Norwood and nearby towns in Greater Boston have benefited from our dementia care, alzheimer's care, companion care, elderly care, respite support, transitional aid, and senior home care services. While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a big impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. Call us at 617-795-2727 for information!

Differences between Dementia Care and Regular Home Care

If your elderly loved one is showing signs of dementia, he or she may need more than regular elderly home care services.  A high quality home care agency will do a thorough assessment of individual needs to design a customized home care plan for each client. But still, it is important for you to understand the different types of care available.  Home care needs are different for healthy seniors vs those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Regular Home Care Services

​Regular in-home care is intended for individuals who require assistance with certain tasks but are able to maintain some independence.  A home caregiver provides help with activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, and with household chores like light housecleaning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. This type of care might also provide medication management and transportation to medical appointments. Regular home care may be appropriate for someone in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease, but as the disease progresses, more specialized care is needed.

​Dementia Home Care Services

Dementia home care is tailored to the challenges related to the different types of dementia and the changing needs through the progression of the disease. Dementia caregivers are familiar with the stages of the disease, common behaviors, and safety issues related to dementia as well as how to handle erratic moods and behavior. Care plans focus on the specific needs of an individual with dementia, including likes, dislikes, and personality. Dementia care incorporates activities designed to stimulate memory such as looking at family photo albums or listening to music, doing art projects, or reading. Using social media technologies to engage social with friends and family, eating a brain-healthy diet and physical exercise are also ways to help seniors with dementia live at home longer.

In early stage dementia care, the caregiver may need to provide simple memory assistance such as appointment reminders, organization, and money management along with regular home care services.

In middle stage dementia care, it is important for a person with dementia to follow a structured schedule to reduce the stress and anxiety. Individuals may also need increased assistance with dressing and feeding themselves.

In late stage dementia care, individuals typically need 24-hour care to cope with extreme confusion, inability to process information, and difficulty communicating verbally.

Visiting Angels Newton/Canton offers 24-hour home care as well as live-in and live-out homecare for the elderly with dementia. For more homecare information, please call 617-795-2727.

Choosing an In-Home Caregiver

Hiring someone to provide in-home care for an elderly relative is an important decision. Of course, cost and professional qualifications are important. However, the number one consideration in hiring a home care provider is finding someone who will treat your loved one with the same respect and kindness as you would.  Here are a few things to think about when looking for in-home senior care.

Care Needs

Assess what level of care is needed. Does your loved one need help with housekeeping, shopping and meal preparation? Do they need assistance with personal care such as bathing and dressing? Do they need skilled medical assistance?  Do they have memory lapses or other signs of dementia? Knowing the services needed makes it easier to choose a home care aide, home care provider, or agency.

Personality

Look for a mix of professionalism and a caring personality. Compassion, empathy, patience, and communication skills are crucial to creating a trusting relationship with your loved one.  Finding some interests that the caregiver and your loved one have in common can also help with trust and comfort level.  The caregiver should also be flexible and open to most tasks that don’t require specific medical expertise.

Experience

Look for experience handling needs similar to those of your loved one.  Be sure to ask for specifics about previous care giving experiences.

Training

Choose a caregiver who has the necessary training and certification for the type of care to be provided.  Continuing education and additional training above and beyond your state’s minimum requirements are usually good indicators of quality.

References

Never hire a caregiver without checking their references.  A reference check can get you a good sense of the caregiver’s honesty and reliability.

Finances

Be sure to discuss in-home care costs and payment arrangements, especially if you are not hiring through a home healthcare agency. Costs vary depending on whether you need temporary or long-term care, live-in care, 24-hour care, week day or weekend visits, respite care, dementia care, etc. A high quality homecare agency such as Visiting Angels Newton/Canton will visit you in person, assess your needs and design a personalized homecare plan for you that will meet your unique needs and budget.

If you or a loved one in the Greater Boston area is in need of assistance, contact Visiting Angels Newton/Canton today for a free assessment. There is absolutely no obligation!