Senior Care for Dementia

Senior dementia care can rapidly address, manage and improve the quality of life not only for the sufferer of this condition but also for family members and loved ones involved in their care. Because this illness occurs in multiple forms and affects each person differently, it's important to understand that senior dementia care must be individualized in its approach to managing care and support of patients and their families. Knowing exactly what senior care can do for your loved one afflicted with dementia is critical to make the right choices for your family.

There are four primary functions that senior care for dementia serves:

1.) Help prepare the home for proper care

In many cases, difficulties in caring for a loved one with dementia arise because the home living environment is not properly equipped to provide the right level of support. In-home care specialists will often work together with family members to create a safe and functional space that caters to the needs of a dementia patient. This can include:

*Installation of security and safety devices (locks on doors and windows for seniors that might wander and become disoriented, safety locks on dangerous household items, rubber runners on furniture edges, etc.)

*Ramps for use with wheelchairs, walkers, or canes

*Safety bars in the shower, near the toilet, and anywhere else where physical stability is needed in the home

*Installation of safety lights, night lights, and other means of illumination

*Arrangement of household furniture for better access, including the acquisition of senior-care-related items like specialized chairs or recliners.

*Management or restriction of automobile use when required

Of course, this is just a partial list - each case is different and so each home will therefore need to be set up differently to provide the right level of care.

2.) Education

As a result of a lack of knowledge on the part of the family and others involved in caring for a dementia patient, some seniors may not receive the type of treatment and care they need. A senior care in-home service will help to carefully educate family members and others that interact with the dementia-afflicted senior about this condition and how it can be correctly managed. This education is also critical to assist loved ones in understanding dementia-related behaviors that might be difficult to deal with if not approached from the right perspective.

3.) Direct care

The primary benefit of senior care for dementia service is the direct care involved. This can help to alleviate the often stressful burden of constant care for a person who is no longer able to properly care for themselves. Direct care includes:

*Hygiene - bathing, teeth care, showering, and grooming

*Assistance with mobility

*Care for incontinence

*Grocery shopping, meal preparation, and special diet maintenance

*Limited housekeeping, laundry

*Shopping and errands

*Transportation to appointments

*Medication Reminders

*Relief and respite care for family or other caregivers

*Companionship

The level of direct care that your loved one with dementia will require depends on your circumstances. Additionally, these needs are likely to change over time and a professional home care provider will work with you to ensure that you're adequately prepared to deal with these changes as they occur.

4.) Support

Most importantly, senior dementia care can provide invaluable support at a time when families need it most. Education, resources, community outreach, support groups and more can all be accessed by working with a qualified in-home care provider. Support isn't just for the person suffering from this condition - because dementia affects everyone close to the patient, care is meant to benefit family and loved ones as well.