Develop Helpful Daily Routines
Having general daily routines and activities can provide a sense of consistency for an Alzheimers or dementia patient and help ease the demands of caregiving. Of course, as your loved ones ability to handle tasks deteriorates, youll need to update and revise these routines.
Keep a sense of structure and familiarity. Try to keep consistent daily times for activities such as waking up, mealtimes, dressing, receiving visitors, and bedtime. Keeping these things at the same time and place can help orientate the person with dementia. Use cues to establish the different times of dayopening the curtains in the morning, for example, or playing soothing music at night to indicate bedtime.
Involve your loved one in daily activities as much as theyre able. For example, they may not be able to tie their shoes, but may be able to put clothes in the hamper. Clipping plants in the yard may not be safe, but they may be able to weed, plant, or water.
Vary activities to stimulate different sensessight, smell, hearing, and touchand movement. For example, you can try singing songs, telling stories, dancing, walking, or tactile activities such as painting, gardening, or playing with pets.
Spend time outdoors. Going for a drive, visiting a park, or taking a short walk can be very therapeutic. Even just sitting outside can be relaxing.
Helplines When Distressed/ Depressed
Here are some resources of organizations that provide help to persons who may be depressed/ distressed. Helplines are typically designed to ensure confidential and provide anonymity, but you can confirm this with them before talking.
Please contact a helpline when you feel overwhelmed, and do not postpone this contacting till you are utterly desperate. Also, if you cant get through to a helpline, please try another helpline or try after some time. Note that helplines sometimes have poorer responses because of problems in funding/ volunteer availability, so please dont give up!!
The list below is an alphabetically arranged selection of what seem to be more active helplines however, to emphasize again, you need may need to try multiple options to reach one that works for you. Suggestions and feedback are welcome. Also A larger list of helplines of India is available from Aasra view it at HELPLINE NUMBERS Opens in new window
Aasra has a 24×7 helpline at 91-9820466726 . Email: aasrahelpline@yahoo.com. Site: http://www.aasra.info
COOJ Mental Health Foundation, a Goa initiative. Call: +91 832 225 2525, 1 to 7 pm, Monday to Friday. Website: cooj.co.in . E-counselling email: youmatterbycooj@gmail.com. Also, number for inquiries: 9075391756
Samaritans Helpline lists its helplines as +91 8422984528/ +91 8422984529/ +91 8422984530, 3 PM to 9 PM, all days. Email: talk2samaritans@gmail.com. .
Others
Moving To A Care Home
If the persons needs become too great for you to manage at home, you may need to consider other long-term options. If youre becoming exhausted or the person with dementia is becoming harder to care for, a care home might be the best option for you both.
A move to a care home can be a difficult decision, but there are limits to the care you can provide.
If the person you care for is moving into a care home, familiar furniture, belongings or music can help them feel more settled.
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Assistance For Veterans With Alzheimers
While the VA does not have programs specifically for individuals with dementia or Alzheimers, there are benefits available through other VA programs that are available and relevant to veterans with these conditions. A pension benefit known as Aid and Attendance can provide the greatest amount of financial assistance. Up to approximately 2,230 / month in some cases. There is also VA Respite Care and other assistance available through Veterans Directed Home and Community Based Services.
The Different Types Of Care Home
There are 2 main types of care home:
- residential care homes
Some care homes offer both residential and nursing care places.
Care homes can be run by private companies, voluntary or charitable organisations, or sometimes by local councils.Both types of care home should have staffed trained in dementia care.
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What Benefits Does Medicare Provide For Alzheimers Patients
In this article, we will examine what benefits Medicare provides in the context of the needs experienced by Alzheimers patients in the early, mid and late stages of the disease. As the condition progresses, the care requirements for individuals stricken with the disease vary significantly. For each stage, we will examine what are the typical symptoms and behaviors, the associated care needs and which of those needs are covered by Medicare benefits.
Adult Day Care Services
Adult day care services provide a safe environment, activities, and staff who pay attention to the needs of the person with Alzheimer’s in an adult day care facility. They also provide transportation. The facility may pick up the person with Alzheimer’s, take him or her to day care, and then return the person home. Adult day care services provide a much-needed break for you.
What to know about costs:
- Adult day care services charge by the hour.
- Most insurance plans don’t cover these costs. You must pay all costs not covered by insurance.
How to find them:
- Call the National Adult Day Services Association at 1-877-745-1440. You can contact the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
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Payment Options / Financial Assistance For Alzheimers Care
For most families, the expenses of caring for a loved one with Alzheimers or dementia are covered not by a single source, but instead by contributions from a variety of sources. Some of these resources are specifically designed for Alzheimers patients and others are of a more general nature.
Dementia Care Central is a free website that offers tips, suggestions, and videos on how to provide hands on care and gain the cooperation of persons with Alzheimers. Visit their site.
What Happens When You Move Someone With Dementia
A series of 13 articles via PubMed observed the health effects of relocating a person with dementia. There was a very common theme among the various studies, finding a recurring pattern of two tell-tale things:
Some of the symptoms of dementia include memory problems, getting lost in familiar places, and major changes in mood or behavior. Changing environments is something that triggers all of these and causes them to spiral into even worse symptoms.
While the studies found that there was an overall decline in well-being after a move, its important to note that not everyone experiences the same effects. Some people may only experience a mild decline, while others may see a more significant change. It all depends on the individual and how they respond to change something thats different for everyone.
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Alzheimers Resource Locator Tool
Our websites database contains information on over 300 programs that provide financial assistance or reduce the cost of caring for the elderly. Many of these programs are specifically applicable to those suffering from Alzheimers, dementia or other related memory disorders. One can search specifically for programs relevant to them by entering their demographic information into our Resource Locator Tool.
Eldercare Financial Assistance Locator
Paying For A Care Home
Who pays for care will depend on individual circumstances.
If you’re entitled to local council funding, the council will set a personal budget. This will set out the overall cost of a care home, what the council’s contribution will be, and what you’ll have to pay.
The council must show there’s at least 1 suitable care home available at your personal budget level.
If you choose a care home that’s more expensive than the council considers necessary, top-up fees may have to be paid.
If the person with dementia isn’t eligible for council funding, they’ll have to pay the full cost of the care home .
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Tips On Choosing A Care Home
One of the most important things to check when choosing a care home is the most recent Care Quality Commission report. You can find these on the CQC find a care home directory.
The CQC regulates all care homes in England. Its inspection reports can show you how well a care home is doing and any areas of concern.
When visiting a care home, spend time looking around and talk to the manager and other staff and residents.
It’s useful to take a friend or relative with you as you can compare notes after your visit.
It’s a good idea to make your own checklist before visiting care homes. These tips may help.
How Does Change Affect Dementia Patients
An elderly person suffering from dementia has many challenges that affect how their brain processes and emits information. During the initial stages of Alzheimers, they are often greatly affected by memory loss, and therefore it is important to have familiar furniture around. This will keep the individual in contact with the surrounding environment.
As the illness progresses, some patients experience hallucinations. They could even be unaware of their surroundings, which might be confusing, especially when that environment changes suddenly or frequently. So while change can affect dementia patients very differently, there are a few things you can do to help facilitate a safe and comfortable environment:
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Getting Started With Visiting Angels
At Visiting Angels, we know how difficult it can be to talk with family members about Alzheimer’s care. We also know how overwhelming it can feel to search for the right care provider. That’s why we’ll do everything we can to make this process as easy as possible for you and your family.
When you contact us to ask about in-home care for a family member, we start by scheduling a free consultation. This consultation allows us to learn about your loved one’s situation in detail, including the symptoms they’re exhibiting, their current living situation, and the areas where they’re most clearly in need of assistance. We will also learn about the routines and activities that bring joy to your loved one. At the same time, we will answer any questions you might have about our services and our approach to caregiving.
Following this consultation, we’ll develop a detailed care plan and care schedule for your loved one. During the care planning phase, we may speak with your loved one’s doctor to keep care consistent with medical directives. We’ll also work closely with your family to design a care schedule that fits your loved one’s routine and makes caring for your loved one more manageable.
We will also match your loved one with a Visiting Angels care provider. Each of our caregivers has been carefully screened and selected prior to placement, and we take pains to find the right fit for every client.
What Is Alzheimers Disease
Alzheimers disease is the most common form of a group of brain diseases called dementias. Alzheimers disease accounts for 60% to 80% of dementia cases. Other forms of dementia include vascular dementia, mixed dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia.
Alzheimers disease, like all dementias, gets worse over time and there is no known cure. Nearly 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimers disease. Alzheimers disease destroys brain cells causing problems with memory, thinking, and behavior that can be severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies, and social life. Eventually, it can affect ones ability to carry out routine daily activities. Today, it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. It is the fifth leading cause of death for those aged 65 years and older.
For more information, see www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figuresexternal icon.
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National Alzheimers And Dementia Resource Center
The ACL-funded NADRC provides technical assistance to ACL and its grantees and also serves individuals and organizations outside ACLs ADRD grantee community.
The NADRC website provides a broad range of program-related materials to aid grantees, professionals, and formal and informal caregivers. Materials on the NADRC website include issue briefs, webinar recordings and related PowerPoint presentations, and numerous tools that support service providers and caregivers.
Kind Calming Ways To Respond To I Want To Go Home
These suggestions will put you on the right track, but its a good idea to get creative and come up with responses that are tailored for your older adults history, personality, and preferences.
1. Reassure and comfort to validate their needsSometimes saying I want to go home is how your older adult tells you theyre tense, anxious, scared, or in need of extra comfort.
Approach your older adult with a calm, soothing, and relaxed manner. If you remain calm, it often helps them calm down too.
If they like hugs, this is a good time for one. Others may prefer gentle touching or stroking on their arm or shoulder or simply having you sit with them.
Another way of giving extra comfort and reassurance is to give them a soothing blanket, therapy doll, or stuffed animal.
2. Avoid reasoning and explanationsTrying to use reason and logic isnt recommended when someone has a brain disease. It will only make them more insistent, agitated, and upset.
Dont try to explain that theyre in their own home, assisted living is now their home, or they moved in with you 3 years ago.
They wont be able to process that information and will feel like youre not listening, you dont care, or that youre stopping them from doing something thats important to them.
3. Validate, redirect, and distractBeing able to redirect and distract is an effective dementia care technique. Its a skill that improves with practice, so dont feel discouraged if the first few attempts dont work perfectly.
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Ensure The Home Is Safe
If youre caring for a loved one at home, take steps to prevent falls and other accidents. For example:
- Place carpet or grip strips on stairs.
- Place latches on cabinet doors.
- Place covers over electrical outlets.
- Remove small rugs.
- Place handrails and mats in the shower.
Depending on the severity of their cognitive symptoms, you may not want to leave them unattended in the shower or tub or allow them to cook by themselves.
How Long Can Dementia Patients Live At Home
Ultimately, someone with dementia can live at home until they pass away. However, it often requires that they receive full-time, hands-on help in the later stages of dementia.
As dementia progresses, it affects more than someones short-term memory. The late stages of dementia usually cause the person to lose motor functions and hinder their ability to live independently. This loss of function can lead them to need help:
A person with late-stage dementia often requires 24-hour hands-on assistance. This help can come from a family member who lives with their loved one or a full-time caregiver from an in-home care company.
But with 24-hour care, someone with dementia can live in their home indefinitely.
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Preserving Your Loved Ones Independence
Take steps to slow the progression of symptoms. While treatments are available for some symptoms, lifestyle changes can also be effective weapons in slowing down the diseases progression. Exercising, eating and sleeping well, managing stress, and staying mentally and socially active are among the steps that can improve brain health and slow the process of deterioration. Making healthy lifestyle changes alongside your loved one can also help protect your own health and counter the stress of caregiving.
Help with short-term memory loss. In the early stages, your loved one may need prompts or reminders to help them remember appointments, recall words or names, keep track of medications, or manage bills and money, for example. To help your loved one maintain their independence, instead of simply taking over every task yourself, try to work together as a partnership. Let your loved one indicate when they want help remembering a word, for example, or agree to check their calculations before paying bills. Encourage them to use a notebook or smartphone to create reminders to keep on hand.
Learn About Burnout In Alzheimers Caregivers
Dementia care is incredibly demanding and emotionally challenging. Deciding to care for a loved one with Alzheimers at home is a huge decision that affects all aspects of a family caregivers life. Taking steps to prioritize self-care is crucial for your well-being and that of your care recipient.
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Planning For The Future: Tips For Caregivers
Making health care decisions for someone who is no longer able to do so can be overwhelming. Thats why it is important to plan health care directives in advance. To help plan for the future, you can:
- Start discussions early with your loved one so they can be involved in the decision-making process.
- Get permission in advance to talk to the doctor or lawyer of the person youre caring for, as needed. There may be questions about care, a bill, or a health insurance claim. Without consent, you may not be able to get needed information.
- Consider legal and financial matters, options for in-home care, long-term care, and funeral and burial arrangements.
Learning about your loved ones disease will help you know what to expect as the dementia progresses and what you can do.