Guidance for Families Navigating Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia is a deeply personal experience. We’ve walked through this journey with families, and we’ve learned that compassion, information, and support can make all the difference. We hope what we share helps you feel less alone and more equipped for the path ahead.
What Alzheimer’s and Dementia Are
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is a condition that gradually affects memory, thinking, and the ability to perform simple tasks. As Alzheimer’s progresses, changes in behavior, mood, and routine may become more pronounced, sometimes day-to-day. Having that context helps families adjust expectations and respond with kindness.
Key Challenges for Families
When someone you love develops dementia, it changes many things, such as how you communicate, plan days, and even express love. Small changes in their environment, a familiar photo, a favorite song, and predictable routines can bring comfort. But other challenges also arise:
Safety risks: Wandering, forgetting to turn appliances on, or misplacing things are common issues.
Emotional strain: Frustration, grief, guilt, these are normal but heavy. It helps when families find spaces to share those feelings.
Physical and practical needs: Daily tasks like bathing, eating, and taking medication don’t always feel simple anymore. That’s when outside support is not just helpful, it becomes essential.
What Makes Compassionate Care at Home Possible
Our team at Comfort Keepers offers Alzheimer’s and dementia in-home care in Lansing that respects each person’s dignity and helps maintain connections to home, memories, and themselves.
Here are ways we support families like yours:
Familiar environment: Staying at home reduces disorientation and provides comfort. Our caregivers help maintain routines and surroundings that feel safe and secure.
Engagement & companionship: We encourage reading, music, reminiscence, and walks — activities that honor history and personality. Small interactions that spark joy matter deeply.
Safety and oversight: Our caregivers are trained to recognize risk, monitor safety, and adapt as needs change.
Support for you, the family: We know how hard caregiving can be physically and emotionally. Respite, whether for a few hours or longer, is not a luxury. It’s what lets you keep showing up with love and strength.
Things Families Should Know Now
Early signs deserve attention: repeated questions, forgetting recent events, and withdrawing socially. Acting early can help you plan resources and approaches effectively.
No cure exists yet, but treatments and support programs can relieve symptoms, slow decline, and improve quality of life.
Effective communication strategies include being patient, using simple sentences, listening actively, and recognizing non-verbal cues. It’s not what you say sometimes, but how you connect.
We believe that Alzheimer’s and dementia care can be a journey guided by respect, presence, and love. At Comfort Keepers, we are here to walk with you through this season. If you’d like to discuss what might help your loved one the most, whether it's companionship, medication reminders, or safety monitoring, we’d welcome a conversation.
Call us today to learn more about our Alzheimer’s and dementia care services in Lansing and discover how we can bring comfort, support, and peace of mind to your family.
By: Our Care Team
