Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care – What Are The Care Options In 2021?

Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia are complicated diseases. Every patient is different, and so are their care needs.

Despite being inclined towards providing necessary care themselves, most families need to seek professional help in the later stages of the disease.

If you have a family member diagnosed with dementia, we recommend following a proactive approach in planning long-term care options. This will minimize the chances of burnout and depression in caregivers and allow patients to lead a relaxed, more independent lifestyle.

The care options range widely from home nursing to permanent residential care. In this article, we have covered each care option in detail to give a thorough understanding.

If your loved one is still in the early stage of the disease, we recommend discussing these care options with them and drafting a care plan considering financial, geographical, medical, and other essential factors.

Read on to know which care options you should consider If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other Dementia.

6 Different Care Options For People Living With Alzheimer’s or Dementia

Home Nursing

Home nursing is professional medical assistance provided to Alzheimer’s patients within the comfort of one’s home. It can be delivered by independent home nurses, skilled senior care agencies, speech therapists, social volunteers, etc.

Home healthcare is an umbrella term for several medical needs including –

• Assistance in medication management & administration.
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
• Sleep schedule management.
• Assistance in bathing.
• Meal preparation and supervision.
• Wound Care
• Monitoring depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems.

Home healthcare services can be availed both round the clock or for specific hours.

By acquiring professional home medical care, you can carry out your other responsibilities in peace, entrusting your loved ones’ health in capable hands.

Home Helpers

This care option is more for the family members than the patient. Home helpers are the professionals who assist you in carrying out various household chores, reducing the burden on the primary caregiver’s shoulders.

Sevices that come under ‘home help’ are grocery shopping, housekeeping, driving the patients to appointments, and patient companionship to reduce boredom.

As these professionals do not offer any medical assistance, their services are referred to as ‘Home help.’ These are not a part of ‘home nursing,’ which is described above.

Adult Day Care Programmes

Adult daycare programs are specifically designed for adults with dementia to provide a caring and mentally stimulating environment.

The staff is well trained in different aspects of the disease and experiences managing medical care, meals, and other mental activities for adults with dementia.

Adult daycare services can help provide excitement and care during a specific time of the day while their permanent residence remains at home.
Studies show that most individuals grow fond of these programs and feel extremely comfortable with the personnel.

Respite Care

As the name suggests, Respite care services are intended to provide caregiving a respite from their daily routines as caregivers.

In other words, it fills in the gaps when you are not present with your loved one; hence it’s also known as “replacement care.”

Respite care can be provided in residential institutions or in-house. When you are traveling or simply need a break to prevent caregivers’ burnout, respite care might be the best choice for you.

Memory Care Units

Memory care unity is a particular type of senior care service to provide holistic memory care to individuals with Alzheimer’s.

.In most cases, these facilities house individuals with Alzheimer’s on a single floor or wing within a more extensive care facility. Memory care workers have received specific training in Alzheimer’s care needs, and the program is tailored to the needs of adults with memory issues.

The facilities incorporate safety features such as locked exits and are equipped with all the safety measures if the need arises.

Nursing Home

Even though most people want their loved ones to stay in their homes, as the disease progresses, around-the-clock care and supervision may become necessary to preserve their health.

Nursing homes are fully-equipped care centers that offer comprehensive care to dementia patients, including room and board and 24/7 medical supervision. The trained staff at these centers also look after the unique needs of your loved ones, such as special nutrition issues, sleep patterns, etc.

How To Find The Right Care Services For Your Loved Ones?

• Ask around – seek help and guidance from friends, relatives.
• Consult a medical doctor
• Lookup online.
• Turn to communities like Alzheimer’s Association or any other reputed association that focuses on senior care and dementia care.

Signing Off

Ideally, most families opt for in-house care programs such as Alzheimer’s home care in the early stages, and later, as the disease progresses, they move on to full-time care options like a nursing home.

However, there is no ‘one plan’ that suits different individuals. An ideal care plan would depend highly on your loved ones’ stage of the disease and their unique requirements. We hope that the information provided in this article helps you select the best healthcare options for your loved one.