Compassionate In-Home Care for Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia
Dementia is a broad term used to describe a decline in cognitive abilities that impairs a person’s daily life, including memory loss. Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent form of dementia. Doctors may utilize a range of methods to diagnose Alzheimer’s, including analyzing medical history, conducting mental status tests, performing physical and neurological examinations, administering diagnostic tests, and utilizing brain imaging techniques.
Gaining an understanding of the two concepts and discerning the dissimilarities is significant as it can provide individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia, their families, and their caregivers with valuable knowledge and empowerment.
Understanding Is Key To Receiving Proper Care
Alzheimer’s disease progresses slowly in three stages: early, middle, and late (also referred to as mild, moderate, and severe in medical terminology). However, since Alzheimer’s affects individuals differently, each person may experience symptoms or progress through the stages at different rates.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s worsen over time, although the progression varies from person to person. On average, individuals with Alzheimer’s live four to eight years after diagnosis, but some may live as long as 20 years depending on other factors. Changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s begin years before any symptoms appear, known as preclinical Alzheimer’s disease.
Early-Stage Alzheimer’s (mild):
In the early stage, individuals may function independently and participate in social activities. However, they may experience memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects. Symptoms may not be obvious at this stage, but family and friends may notice them, and a doctor can diagnose the disease using certain tools.
Common difficulties in this stage include:
- Struggling to recall names or words
- Having difficulty with tasks in social or work settings
- Losing or misplacing valuable objects
- Experiencing increased difficulty with planning or organizing
Middle-Stage Alzheimer’s (moderate):
The middle stage can last for many years, and as the disease progresses, individuals require more care. During this stage, dementia symptoms become more pronounced, and the individual may become confused, frustrated, or angry. Damage to nerve cells in the brain can also make it difficult for the person to express thoughts and perform routine tasks without assistance.
Symptoms may include:
- Forgetting events or personal history
- Feeling moody or withdrawn
- Being unable to recall personal information such as their address or telephone number
- Experiencing confusion about time and place
- Requiring help with choosing proper clothing
- Having trouble controlling bladder and bowels
- Demonstrating personality and behavioral changes, including suspiciousness and compulsive or repetitive behavior
In this stage, individuals can still participate in daily activities with assistance. Caregivers may want to consider respite care or an adult day center to provide temporary breaks while the person living with Alzheimer’s receives care in a safe environment.
Late-Stage Alzheimer’s (severe):
In the final stage of the disease, dementia symptoms are severe, and individuals lose the ability to communicate or control movement. They may still say words or phrases, but communicating pain becomes difficult. As memory and cognitive skills continue to worsen, significant personality changes may take place.
In this stage, individuals may:
- Require around-the-clock personal care
- Lose awareness of their surroundings and recent experiences
- Experience changes in physical abilities, including walking and swallowing
- Have difficulty communicating
- Become vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia
During this stage, caregivers may want to use support services, such as hospice care, which focus on providing comfort and dignity at the end of life. Hospice can be of great benefit to people in the final stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, as well as their families. Although individuals may not be able to initiate engagement as much during the late stage, they can still benefit from interaction in appropriate ways, such as listening to music or receiving reassurance through touch.
Our Highly-Trained Caregivers Understand Dementia
Alzheimer’s and Dementia care cannot be approached with a one-size-fits-all formula as the needs of individuals with the disease change at different stages and each family’s circumstances are unique. Choosing the right care can be a difficult decision, but we are here to help.
At Comfort Ease Home Care, we specialize in simplifying the process of finding the appropriate services and caregiver for your loved one.
Upon contacting us, we will arrange a free consultation without any obligation. This consultation will allow us to comprehensively understand your loved one’s situation and build the groundwork for their care plan. We will also address any queries you may have about in-home care.
During the consultation, we can discuss your loved one’s care schedule and create an initial care plan. The care schedule will be designed based on your loved one’s established routines and may include part-time, full-time, or round-the-clock caregiving. We can also accommodate care for any family members who reside with your loved one or conduct regular care visits.
Trustworthy Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care For Seniors In Ohio
After the consultation, we will continue to develop your loved one’s care plan and collaborate with medical professionals, such as doctors. This enables us to tailor the care plan in accordance with medical directives, such as planning and preparing meals that align with your loved one’s doctor’s nutrition recommendations.
The final step involves matching your loved one with a competent and compassionate care provider. We understand the significance of the caregiver-client relationship and that top-quality dementia care requires knowledgeable caregivers. Before placement, all of our care providers undergo rigorous screening, and we work closely with you and your loved one to ensure the best possible match.
COMFORT EASE HOME CARE
Send us a message or schedule a callback
Phone
(216) 245-6139
Comfort Ease Home Care
2000 Auburn Dr. STE 200
Beachwood, OH 44122