Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Services
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When your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia, it can be challenging to understand what that means for them and their family. While it's common for family members or close friends to care for their loved ones, it's essential to know that resources are available.
Comfort Keepers is here to support you and your loved one every step of the way. Our dedicated caregivers are specially trained to manage symptoms and fulfill the unique needs of seniors with Alzheimer's or other kinds of dementia. We offer various in-home dementia care services to help your loved one feel comfortable and safe in their home.
What are Alzheimer's and Dementia?
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, and it can negatively impact someone's work, hobbies, social life, and eventually, their ability to communicate clearly. Alzheimer's and other kinds of dementia cause a decline in memory, reasoning, and cognitive skills. By the late stages, seniors often need the help of a caregiver to carry out daily tasks.
Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging but can result from conditions such as strokes, brain tumors, alcohol abuse, or nutritional deficiencies. Pay close attention to your loved one if you think they might be experiencing early symptoms of Alzheimer's or dementia, and see a doctor as soon as you can. While there is no cure for dementia, there are ways to help your loved one navigate their disease safely and effectively. People with dementia may:
Repeat the same things over and over
Frequently forget conversations or events
Misplace items or put items in places that don't make sense
Get lost in places they've been to frequently
Forget the names of family members
Have trouble finding the right words, expressing thoughts, or communicating with others?
Dementia eventually causes difficulty concentrating and thinking, especially regarding new routines. Doing more than one task at once can be extremely difficult, and ultimately, a person with dementia will need extra help. However, other options exist besides moving to a nursing home or care facility. Comfort Keepers provides specialized Alzheimer's and dementia care to seniors in their own homes.
Stages of Alzheimer's and Dementia
Dementia affects each person differently, and every senior might need help in different ways. It can be categorized into three stages, but every senior moves through them differently. Our care plans are designed to be flexible and can change as seniors' needs evolve due to the various stages of dementia. The three stages of Alzheimer's and dementia are:
Early Stages
By getting help from a caregiver during the early stages, you can ensure that your loved one finds a care service that best suits their needs. During this stage, seniors can usually function independently. They often continue to drive, work, and participate in social activities. While they can be in good health on the outside, they could be experiencing symptoms such as remembering names, forgetting things they just read, losing objects, and having trouble planning or organizing. In the early stages, our caregivers can provide in-home care to help seniors slow down their disease. We can provide personal care to help maintain good hygiene and companionship, do memory exercises, and talk about current events. Having a caregiver to help with everyday household tasks that a person with dementia may have trouble with can make a huge difference in their well-being. They can also feel comfortable knowing they can get all the help they need while in their own home.
Middle Stages
The moderate stages of Alzheimer's and dementia typically last the longest, up to several years. As the disease progresses, a person with dementia will require more specialized care. During this stage, the symptoms become more apparent. The person might confuse words, get agitated or angry, and act unexpectedly. A senior going through the moderate stages of dementia will need help with routine tasks to avoid frustration. Symptoms can vary depending on the person, but if you notice any of the following in a loved one, it might be time to get help from a caregiver who specializes in Alzheimer's and dementia care:
Being forgetful of events or conversations
Feeling moody or withdrawn
Increased tendency to wander and get lost
Changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the day or being unable to sleep through the night
Personality and behavior changes, such as being more suspicious of others or experiencing delusions
Repetitive behaviors
This stage of dementia can be challenging for those who are not experienced. Our caregivers are highly trained to understand the signs of dementia, how it can affect seniors, and how to ease the symptoms.
Late Stages
In the final stages of dementia, symptoms become much more severe. It's common for seniors in this stage to need additional help from an experienced caregiver to ensure they are safe. Seniors often lose the ability to respond to their surroundings, carry on conversations, and control movement. At this stage, seniors may lose awareness of recent events, experience changes in physical abilities, have difficulty communicating, and become vulnerable to infections. While a senior in the late stages of dementia may not always communicate, they can still benefit from interacting with a caregiver. Our caregivers can offer a calming presence and engage in soothing activities such as listening to relaxing music.
How Comfort Keepers Can Help Your Loved One Navigate Their Diagnosis
Our caregivers understand how difficult it can be to cope with an Alzheimer's or dementia diagnosis. We offer person-centered services that fulfill the unique needs of seniors with these diseases. Our caregivers have expertise in dementia care and can give you peace of mind, knowing that your loved one is always properly cared for. We offer personal care, 24-hour care, companionship, respite care, and more.
Schedule a free in-home assessment with us at (309) 685-7777 to learn more about our in-home dementia care services in Peoria, Washington, Dunlap, and the surrounding areas.
