There are nearly 5.2 million American seniors – and their families – currently struggling with the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia. You’re not alone if you’re in this number. However, the care of this loved one can be a burden if you have to bear it by yourself. When you’re in need of assistance from the professionals, Caring Hands Matter will be there for you. Whether it’s needing time for yourself or to do an important job, we will give your loved one the care and respect they deserve from the hands of individuals who are trained to help those with dementia.
The Difficulty of Caring for a Loved One With Dementia
One day your parent, grandparent, or other close relative is fine. The next week, they have an outburst of uncontrollable anger as their memory declines. You begin to worry they may wonder and never come back. These are only a few of the symptoms you will feel as you cope with this. While taking care of your loved one, you will also be coping with your grief, your job, helping them through the feelings of loss, trying to keep them safe, and keep your immediate family as content as you can.
Non-Medical Care for Dementia Patients
Non-medical care in-home is done by workers who can help a loved one in daily tasks they may now require assistance in. Whether this means they need a ride to a doctor’s appointment, going shopping, keeping the house clean, or coping with the development of Alzheimer’s or dementia. This results in a friendship that can last years and allow them to feel independent and safe in their home.
Dementia Home Care Services in Fairfax, VA
Caring Hands Matter specializes in giving support and care for families who are now coping and managing a loved one with either Alzheimer’s or dementia. Specifically, our services include, but aren’t limited to:
- Personal Hygiene
- Bathing
- Meal Preparation
- Reminders for Medications
- Dressing
- Arrangements for Appointments or Errands
- Chores Around the House
Techniques for Caring For Loved Ones With Alzheimer’s/Dementia
The best techniques are changing all the time as new information is discovered by doctors, researchers, and elder care professionals. However, there are two techniques that have been proven over time that still work. They require time and effort on everyone’s part.
Develop a daily routine
General confusion can set in, and people generally like to know what’s going to come next. By watching and assessing your loved one’s day, you can develop a daily routine to help get rid of some of the general confusion about the day. For times when they’re less confused or more cooperative during the day, plan major activities.
Encouraging independence
Graded assistance, as it’s called, can help a loved one feel independent. This is usually combined with a daily practice and a lot of positive reinforcement to make it really help. The assistance part means you help, but the graded part is how you encourage independence. It ranges from a simple demonstration to complete physical assistance and back again to verbal prompts.
Communicating At Home
Simple communication can be difficult with a loved one with dementia. There are tips for having those meaningful conversations, though.
- Minimize the distractions: This means turning the TV off and taking the time to make sure you have ensured they will pay attention during most of the conversation, if not all of it.
- Communicate directly: Call your loved one by name so that they know you are going to be talking to them. Wait for them to look at and listen to you before you begin the deep parts of the conversation. Using simple words, short sentences, and a calm voice are also crucial to keeping their attention.
- Exercise Patience:You must be patient with them at all times. This means you need to watch and make sure you don’t interrupt them, and gently prompt them if they are truly struggling with a response.
Contact Us to Learn More About Dementia Home Care in Fairfax, VA!
Caring Hands Matter is able to employ a number of creative solutions for any situation, which helps create the incredible results our customers have come to know us for. This has further resulted in our reputation for excellent care and going the extra mile to help them.
One of our professionals will visit your loved one after you have contacted us by phone or sending a message online. This allows us to accurately determine how much help your loved one will need, and what exactly those needs are. This visit is free, and the professionals are incredibly flexible with family schedules. We will partner with you to create the best schedule for your loved one. Contact us today if you’re curious to see how we can help your loved one in their home.