Senior Care for Dementia

Senior care for dementia can rapidly address, manage and improve the quality of life not only of the sufferer of this condition, but also for family members and loved ones involved in their care. Because this illness occurs in multiple forms and affects each person differently, it's important to understand that senior care for dementia must be individualized in its approach to manage care and support of patients and their families. Knowing exactly what senior care can do for your loved one afflicted with dementia is critical in order to make the right choices for your family.

There are four primary functions that senior care for dementia serves:

1.) Help prepare the home for proper care

In many cases difficulties in caring for a loved one with dementia arise because the home living environment is not properly equipped to provide the right level of support. In-home care specialists will often work together with family members to create a safe and functional space that caters to the needs of a dementia patient. This can include:

*Installation of security and safety devices (locks on doors and windows for seniors that might wander and become disoriented, safety locks on dangerous household items, rubber runners on furniture edges, etc.)

*Ramps for use with wheelchairs, walkers or canes

*Safety bars in the shower, near the toilet, and anywhere else where physical stability is needed in the home

*Installation of safety lights, night lights and other means of illumination

*Arrangement of household furniture for better access, including acquisition of senior-care related items like specialized chairs or recliners.

*Management or restriction of automobile use when required

Of course, this is just a partial list - each case is different and so each home will therefore need to be setup differently in order to provide the right level of care.

2.) Education

As a result of a lack of knowledge on the part of family and others involved in caring for a dementia patient, some seniors may not receive the type of treatment and care they need. A senior care in-home service will help to carefully educate family members and others that interact with the dementia-afflicted senior about this condition and how it can be correctly managed. This education is also critical in order to assist loved ones in understanding dementia-related behaviors that might be difficult to deal with if not approached from the right perspective.

3.) Direct care

The primary benefit of a senior care for dementia service is the direct care involved. This can help to alleviate the often stressful burden of constant care for a person who is no longer able to properly care for themselves. Direct care includes:

*Hygiene - bathing, teeth care, showering and grooming *Assistance with mobility *Care for incontinence *Grocery shopping, meal preparation and special diet maintenance *Limited housekeeping, laundry *Shopping and errands *Transportation to appointments *Medication Reminders *Relief and respite care for family or other caregivers *Companionship