There’s a senior in your life that relies on you to take care of them. Dementia can make things more challenging, but the reward lies within the beauty of what they are able to do.

1)Acknowledge their reality.

This is the first and most important aspect of caring for anyone living with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related disorder.

When you encounter a situation where someone is saying something that doesn’t make sense or is saying something that is not true, this is their reality. This is what they believe is going on. In order to best care for them, they have to be able to trust you.

By acknowledging the reality of what they are saying and doing, your client will feel safer around you. The care that you provide will go much smoother when you go along with what they are saying. Our Denver home care services provide extensive training to caregivers. We focus the bulk of their training on acknowledging their reality while fostering independence and dignity.

2)Say “yes and…”

This is a tip commonly used for improv and in theater, but it works really well with seniors experiencing symptoms of dementia.

There is no script or perfect “way” to talk to someone living with dementia. It’s best to talk to them as you would approach any other conversation. Instead of listening to them say something and nod, you can build on the conversation.

For example, let’s say you’re visiting a client at the hospital, and she says: “I want to go home.”
Your reply could be, “I understand, what is it about home that you miss?” The “yes and…” form may not always be appropriate, but the crux of the message is to continue the conversation. Use the end of their sentence as a starting point, and build upon it.

Through more investigation of the problem, you can understand what is going on. Is your client experiencing depression? Are they lonely? Are they reflecting back on their life at home? By playing along and moving the conversation forward, your client will feel safer around you. They will confide more information about their lives to you.

3)Offer choices

Instead of doing everything for your client because it’s easier or takes up less time, offer them two to three choices.

When doing a shower or bath, offer your seniors a choice in their clothes. Is it stripes or polka dots? Blue or red? By giving them a selection of things to choose from, you are allowing your senior to pick what they prefer. It also helps since you are not overwhelming them with too much information at once.

By offering choice, you are also promoting independence. You could just do everything for the person, but the aim of Denver home care is to empower seniors to do what they can, and help them where they need help.

4)Bring positivity with you in the door, leave the negativity out.

When working with someone that is living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, you set the mood. The energy that you bring into a room, good or bad, will reflect on how your visit will go.

This brings in the importance of bringing a positive attitude to work with you. If you are going through any tough times, or experiencing negativity – take some time to mentally check-in and debrief before going to work.

Your client is relying on you to care for them. By setting the day up with a positive state of mind, your client will mirror this energy in their thoughts, words, and actions.

5)Make a recipe for everything

This means breaking everything down to the granular level. Every task is a list of steps and subtasks.

Tying your shoes is not just tying your shoes. Tying your shoes means:

  • Hold the tongue up
  • Slip the foot in all the way.
  • Then the other foot in all the way.
  • Put the tongue down on both shoes.
  • Create your two sets of bunny ears on one side.
  • Cross them together and tie them.
  • Make sure they’re not too tight.
  • Do this for the other foot.

Shoe-tying is a task that we generally don’t even think twice about, we just do it. All 8 steps. With individuals living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, they are losing some of their rational and thinking skills.

By walking your client through each of these steps, they will appreciate your patience, and have the satisfaction of doing this independently. If they are not able to bend over and complete this themselves, you can help them. But you can ask them which shoes they want to wear, and offer to tie their shoes each way that they want.

Individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer’s retain their experiential skills and their perception of the world. They need caregiver guidance to complete their daily list of skills.

6)Engage their mind.

When someone has dementia, they are experiencing symptoms of neurocognitive impairment. This means that they are having trouble remembering every day tasks, learning or retaining new information, and difficulty concentrating.

Although we can’t reverse the progress of dementia, we can work with clients to keep their minds engaged and as sharp as possible. This can include sensory exercises, like gathering a couple of different objects together with different colors, textures, and smells.

At Denver home care, our clients enjoy being exposed to different senses. Our caregivers enjoy taking our clients outside into nature and enjoy gardening too. By stimulating your client’s interests and hobbies, they will open up to you and enjoy your company more as time goes on.

7)Be aware of the side effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia medications.

As a caregiver, you need to be mindful of the signs and symptoms of adverse effects or side effects in medications.

When people age, they tend to take more medications. Here are some of the common side effects found within Alzheimer’s and dementia medications, according to research from the Alzheimer’s Society:

  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue
  • Increased blood pressure

This is not an all-inclusive list of side effects, but if your client starts taking a new medication, be on the lookout for abnormal observations.

Tying it all together

You made the choice to become a dementia caregiver, that it’s a wonderful thing to do for someone. Whether you’re family, a friend, a neighbor, or a professional caregiver, it’s a wonderful gift.

This isn’t to say that you won’t face challenges, but you will see this person in a comprehensive, all-inclusive light. By using these tips and tricks, you will see your client as a whole person. Working with someone that is living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is rewarding. At Denver home care, we are happy to care for your loved one if you need a break or want someone to check on them.

At GLOBAL Home Care, we know all too well the stress and exhaustion – both physical and emotional – that primary caregivers face. Not only is it difficult to watch a loved one struggle with their health, but taking on the responsibility of care is a huge undertaking. You aren’t equipped with all of the tools, time, resources, or education that professional caregivers can offer, but sometimes, around-the-clock care just isn’t a possibility.

Live-in aids or assisted living facilities can be expensive or perhaps they may offer more services than your family needs right now, but you still are human and need to be able to decompress not only for your own health but to continue supporting the well-being of others. That’s where respite care comes in.

What is Respite Care?

Time and time again, we hear the old adage that you cannot pour from an empty cup. This is certainly true for those caring for loved ones who require additional care. But with such a weighty role, it’s not as if you can simply drop what you’re doing to get some TLC. You want to make sure that, while you are recharging, your loved ones are given the same amount of dignity, attention, and care that you would provide.

Respite care offers a chance to step away for a little while to attend to other responsibilities – whether that’s traveling out of town, shopping, appointments, or even just some rest and relaxation. Not only does a trusted respite care provider allow you to physically step away from your duties, they can give you the peace of mind that your loved one is not only cared for but comfortable.

Why is Respite Care Important?

If you’re in the weeds, respite care may seem selfish or you may not trust the care of your charge to anyone else. However, not seizing the opportunity could have devastating effects long-term.

The AARP Public Policy Institute reports that up to 35% of family caregivers rate their health as fair to poor (Caregiver.org). This is compounded as time goes on and as we ourselves begin to age or struggle with our health. On the same hand, mental strain is no stranger to caretakers. 40% to 70% of family caregivers report significant symptoms of depression. As much as we are dedicated to the quality of attention and care our loved ones receive, the toll it takes is undeniable and can, over time, create an environment where we are physically and emotionally unable to maintain the same standard of care.

In addition, respite care can benefit those we care for. Here’s how:

  • It provides additional socialization.
  • It offers a refreshing change in scenery.
  • It brings additional experience and specialized training to the table.
  • It allows those receiving care to maintain some of their independence and feel less like a burden – which is common for individuals in these situations.

Senior respite care for caregiver

When to Seek Respite Care

So how do you know when it’s time to seek respite care? Well, there’s not right or wrong answer, but we can tell you that, like an oil change, it’s better to utilize services before situations become dire.

If you or any other caretakers find yourselves experiencing any of the following, it might be time to consider respite care.

  • Worse or worsening mental health.
  • The lack of time or energy to keep up with daily responsibilities or work.
  • Mental or physical fatigue.
  • Frequent colds, aches, stomach troubles, or other ailments
  • Mood shifts or trouble processing your own feelings.
  • You need to dedicate your attention to other important or stressful matters such as a new baby, a divorce, a job search, etc.

We even recommend, when you take on the role of caretaker, to begin exploring your options, so that you have them at-hand should the time come.

What Kinds of Respite Care Are There?

Each family and caregiving situation is unique, and the support you seek should fit those needs. Not to worry, there are all kinds of respite programs out there such as:

  • At Home – A trained and certified professional comes to your home to assist with chores, medical upkeep, or even just sits with someone while you take care of what you need to.
  • Day Care – Need to be gone the whole day? Your caretaker can find high quality care, socialization, and enrichment at an adult day care.
  • Care Facilities – For longer term situations, consider looking into assisted living facilities which offer respite care.

How Much Does Respite Care Cost?

The cost of your respite care and the percent of that which insurance will cover varies greatly depending on your care services. Medicare and Medicaid, however, often include some kind of respite care coverage. As you begin your search, give your insurance carrier a call and ask what’s included. It’s also a good idea to speak to any doctors or case workers who can help you navigate the financial side of things.

There are also other ways to get help paying for respite care. Some government aid programs or private foundations may be able to provide additional support. If you are taking on a new care-giver role, it’s not a bad idea to speak to a financial planner to understand what your options may be moving forward.

Where to Start

All in all, respite care can do wonders for your family. Seeking help is nothing to feel ashamed of, anxious about, or guilty for. If you think your family may benefit from respite care, start a conversation with those your caring for and/or other involved family. If you’re interested in learning what respite care options may be available, please give Live Star Home Care Home Care a call. Our experts will help your family find the services you need so you can all stay happy and healthy for longer.

As our loved ones or even as we ourselves get older and start to plan for retirement, one major point of consideration is, “Should I age in place at home? Or should I consider a senior care home?” Senior living centers do have a lot to offer, but can be more than we can comfortably afford. And living at home is convenient and comfortable, but will it provide the level of care our families need? It’s a lot to weigh, so Live Star Home Care Home Care has collected some pros and cons of aging in place to help you make your decision.

The Pros

Quality Care Can Be Expensive

When we begin to think about how we will live into retirement age, or as we support our loved ones through that journey, we may often consider independent or assisted living. These homes are nothing like the senior facilities of the past. Jam-packed with exciting activities and appealing amenities and not to mention the round-the-clock expert care, they pose an attractive solution for living easy during our golden years.

These care facilities, as great as they may be however can be incredibly costly. With entrance fees and high monthly rents to provide all of the great amenities, they are simply not an option for many seniors, particularly those on fixed incomes. And insurance often won’t help cover those expenses. When you age at home, however, there are services to support the health and well-being of older adults that provide all of the same great care but at a lower expense.

You Can Enjoy the Comfort of Home

As we get older, the comforts of routine and the familiar surroundings of home become more important to us. We are able to wake up in the same bed as we always have, we can tend to our beloved gardens, and cook the meals we love in the kitchen we know our way around. Though there are times when our loved ones need more intensive care where it is absolutely best for them to move to a facility, many adults can remain at home where they are able to ride in the rivulets of their routines. This means less strain and stress brought on by a new environment.

In fact, in some cases, removing someone from their home can affect short-term memory loss. Since Alzheimer’s and Dementia affect short-term memory more so than long-term, an unfamiliar environment can bring on confusion and accelerate memory loss. Plus, being surrounded by familiar faces of family and friends and being able to participate in important family functions reduce feelings of isolation.

Furthermore, if isolation is a concern for yourself or your loved ones, there are still at-home options to help provide seniors with the socialization and stimulation they need to maintain their mental, physical, and emotional health.

aging at home

You Can Maintain Your Independence

It goes without saying that when you choose to age at home, you are the king or queen of your own castle. You are free to do what you please and come and go as you wish. If our loved ones are still physically able to maintain their independence then continuing to age at home can help promote this active lifestyle and confidence.

Many seniors are also afraid of feeling like they are a burden on their family. Being able to do more for themselves at home can help prevent the detrimental feelings of guilt. Living at home also allows you to keep your furry friends close. Many senior living centers do not allow pets, and it can be incredibly heartbreaking to part with them. Not to mention, having an animal companion nearby can be great company and emotionally supportive.

The Cons

Missing Out on Amenities and Activities

Putting greens. Salons. Movie theaters. Michelin-starred chefs. You’ve got to admit, they do sound great! And, not only are they enjoyable for enjoyment’s sake, they are designed to support healthy senior living and improve overall wellness. So, if they work with your budget, who wouldn’t want to take advantage of them! Plus, when you live at home, even if you have family or hired help assisting with upkeep tasks like lawn care, you still have to manage that work. Frankly, there’s no easier way to take care of housework than having none at all.

Increased Risk of Accidents

One major con of aging at home is the increased likelihood of accidents. Senior care facilities are designed to prevent bumps and spills, and staff can be there almost instantly in case an accident does occur. Since older adults who experience cognitive and physical decline are at an increased risk not only off accidents like falls, but of the exacerbated consequences like strokes, it’s more important than ever to provide as safe of a living environment as possible. When it comes to caring for family at home, there is usually additional work to be done to provide this. Whether that’s making upgrades to the home itself (new showers or front door ramps) or bringing in support (safety alert monitors or day nurses), there’s also additional expenses to consider.

after a fall

Reduced Access to Care

Though adult day care programs and at-home nurses (live-in or visiting) can provide excellent care and support for seniors, they of course can’t always provide the same breadth and depth of care that a senior living facility will be able to. Individual attention from a nurse is a wonderful pro of aging in place that senior living can’t offer, but these facilities bring to the table a whole staff of doctors, nurses, fitness instructors, dentists, dieticians, activities directors and so much more all there to help care for your loved one.

The facilities themselves are also designed for senior living so they often have on-site medical capabilities and the apartments or rooms are already maximized for comfort and safety.

The Care You Need for Aging in Place

AARP reports that 90% of aging Americans plan to do so at home. If this path is right for your family, rest assured there are resources and support to help you maintain a healthy and active lifestyle at home. Live Star Home Care Home Care provides a variety of services from companion care to specialized Alzheimer’s care. If you’re interested in learning more about how we help families like yours and their loved ones age comfortably in place, schedule an in-home consultation today.

 

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We want to be an active partner in your care. We don’t “take over,” because you’re the CEO of your care.

    Features

    Here are some features of our Greater Denver Home care

    • 24/7 access to care
    • Customized care plans
    • Caregiver introductions
    • Nutritional planning
    • Respite support
    • Companionship
    • Mobility assistance
    • Errands and Shopping
    • Fall Prevention