Aging • Dementia Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.

It’s been estimated that 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. As of now, it is the only one of the common causes of death that has no cure, effective treatment or prevention.

The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is trouble remembering new information, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. As Alzheimer’s advances, symptoms get more severe and include disorientation, confusion and behavior changes; many families turn to in home Alzheimer’s care to help.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association*, these are 6 major symptoms:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life, including forgetting importing dates or events, asking the same questions repeatedly, and needing to rely on memory aids or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
2. Obstacles in planning or solving problems or completing simple tasks. This may include not being able to keep track of monthly bills or follow simple directions, such as turning on the microwave or starting the car.
3. Being confused about time or place. People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passing of time. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
4. Problems speaking or writing, such as difficulty following or joining a conversation. They may struggle with words or call things by the wrong name.
5. Withdrawing from social activities. People with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports.
6. Changes in mood and personality, such as becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, agitated and/or anxious.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, HouseWorks offers in home Alzheimer’s care. HouseWorks Caregivers help families provide consistent routines and support for people with Alzheimer’s – at home, where they’re most familiar. HouseWorks has Caregivers specially trained in dementia care.

“In home care incudes a wide range of services provided in the home, rather than in a hospital or care community,” the Alzheimer’s Association says. “It can allow a person with Alzheimer’s or other dementia to stay in his or her own home. It can be of great assistance to caregivers.”

HouseWorks offers:

• Personal Alzheimer’s care at home, from a few hours a week to 24-hour and live-in care
  • Help with showering and dressing
  • Medication reminders
  • Meal planning and prep
  • Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments
  • Meaningful activities and memory exercises
• Extra support from a Certified Home Health Aide for advanced-stage Alzheimer’s
• Coordination for transitions to home after a hospital or rehabilitation stay

Why choose Alzheimer’s care at home?

• Familiar surroundings are safe and calming, reducing anxiety and confusion
• Our services can grow with you as needs change, minimizing disruptive moves to different facilities
• A study found 90% of people with dementia had unmet safety needs in community residential facilities, putting them at risk for falling or wandering
• Research has found that a close caregiver relationship may be more beneficial than medication for loved ones with dementia.

HouseWorks provides in home Alzheimer’s care that helps individuals with Alzheimer’s live at home safely and comfortably for as long as possible.  Call us today for a free consultation at 617-928-1010.

 

Source: Alzheimer’s Association