Caring for seniors with dementia is a big job. Family caregivers deal with a variety of challenges and adjustments to what they expected would happen during their seniors’ later years. There are no guarantees about how long it will take seniors with dementia to progress through to the later stages, so it can be frustrating for everyone involved. As dementia progresses, the assistance and care that seniors need changes. Seniors often need much more support, particularly from experts in Alzheimer’s care.
Early Stages Mean Independence and Routine
In the earliest stages, seniors with dementia may only have mild memory loss and a few challenges related to cognitive health. Seniors may still be independent in many ways and could still be following routines they’ve enjoyed for years. Those routines can be comforting, especially if they alleviate anxiety and frustration. Seniors with dementia may need more help with prompts and reminders, and home care providers can offer that gentle guidance. Family caregivers may want to focus on home modifications and safety as they prepare for the future.
Increased Supervision Accompanies Middle Stages
As cognitive decline increases in the middle stages of this disease, seniors with dementia may have more trouble with daily tasks and safety. Seniors may also start to exhibit changes in behavior or have more trouble communicating. This can be frustrating, which can lead to other difficult behaviors like wandering. Alzheimer’s care providers can offer even more help at this point as seniors may find it more difficult to prepare nutritious meals, tackle personal care tasks, and engage in activities they enjoy. Knowing that they have the support they need can help seniors to trust their routines more readily.
Later Stages Bring Comprehensive Care
By the time dementia progresses to the later stages, seniors with dementia experience significant difficulty communicating and performing basic functions. Care needs shift to begin to focus on comfort, dignity, and maintaining quality of life. Seniors may no longer be as independent as they were before. Alzheimer’s care providers can offer around-the-clock support with supervision and help with various needs. Seniors with dementia may also need attention to underlying health issues that they can’t communicate with family members about.
Adapting to Changing Needs with Dementia
Dementia causes big changes for entire families, even in the earlier stages. Caring for seniors who are battling dementia requires flexibility and assistance from people who understand how dementia affects aging adults. Alzheimer’s care providers have that expertise and they can help family members learn as much as possible about dementia and its impacts on daily life. As seniors need more comprehensive assistance, Alzheimer’s care professionals can be there to adjust care plans as much as necessary.
Navigating the difficulties that arise with helping seniors with dementia maintain the best possible quality of life is easier with the right help. Alzheimer’s care providers offer compassionate assistance to families and aging adults as they adjust to this new challenge. Professional caregivers can help families find additional resources to keep learning more so that they can keep being there for the seniors they love.
Reference
https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/types-dementia
If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s care in Lombard, IL, please contact the caring staff at Suburban Home Care today at (630) 964-9000.
There are several great reasons why Suburban Home Care® should be your choice for quality homecare. All of our Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides are screened, trained, bonded and insured.
Every family needs to be aware that almost every Homeowner’s insurance policy specifically excludes anyone working within your home. If the person you hire becomes injured while working for you, you will become personally responsible for all of their medical bills. This has left several families very vulnerable when their caregiver injured themselves at their home.
The potential to lose everything you have worked so hard to achieve seems an unnecessary risk. Every one of Suburban Home Care®’s employees are completely covered by insurance so you and your loved ones can relax knowing that if something unforeseen happens to your caregiver, they are completely covered by insurance.
- How Do Care Needs Change as Dementia Progresses? - February 11, 2025
- Home Care Can Help Your Mom Manage Diabetes At Home - January 27, 2025
- How Does Respite Care Help Family Caregivers Build Resilience? - January 10, 2025
