Caring for someone at home with Alzheimer’s can feel like a challenge with no reprieve.
Part of what makes the process so hard is that Alzheimer’s can be difficult to diagnose initially, and treatments offer minimal improvement. This leads to the family’s frustration and uncertainty about the future of their loved one.
The day-to-day needs, coupled with the sadness and loss of the loved one before their diagnosis, can be too much for family members to bear alone.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be accomplished at home, where everyone is most comfortable
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be accomplished at home, where everyone is most comfortable. Families can receive the support and training they need while keeping their loved ones with Alzheimer’s close by and in familiar surroundings. Home-based care can feel impossible, especially as the loved one with Alzheimer’s progresses in their illness, but the family’s openness and willingness to accept help and learn about Alzheimer’s will make home-based care a reality.
Acceptance
Accepting that the loved one has Alzheimer’s is an important first step. They have a degenerative and terminal neurological disease with devastating symptoms. It's no one’s fault. Early symptoms can be especially frustrating and even maddening for the family since the loved one with dementia is able to function appropriately most of the time. When the family accepts the diagnosis and the process, they can move on to the next important steps.
Learning
Often, families use their instincts to respond to and care for their loved one with Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately, this often causes frustration and agitation for both the families and the loved one with Alzheimer's. Learning about the disease's symptoms and challenges can make things more manageable for everyone involved.
Support
Support is the most important piece of the puzzle. Home-based care should include a care team that is focused on promoting dignity, respect, and purposeful living for the person with Alzheimer’s. A Certified Dementia Specialist and caregivers with specialized dementia training are key members of the homecare team. The care team will provide hands-on support with challenging behaviors and situations.
Knowing what to say and having realistic expectations from the person with Alzheimer’s is vital to the comfort and success of the families and their loved ones with Alzheimer’s. Never argue with a person with Alzheimer’s, allow them to express negative feelings, and don’t change the subject. Families and caregivers should offer reassurance and praise while guiding the conversation to positive feelings, if possible.
Certified Dementia Specialists and in-home caregivers with specialized training through a homecare agency that honors and supports the goals and preferences of the family and their loved one with Alzheimer’s is the best way to keep families together at home.
