In-Home Support Aids Independence for Those with Alzheimer’s, Dementia

OMAHA, Nebraska — Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia. These two disorders are among the most devastating of chronic conditions. Hearing these words often triggers “worst case scenarios” in the minds of seniors and their families. However, dedicated in-home caregivers, whether family members or from local care agencies, are playing a role in helping individuals prolong their independence and improve their quality of life after a diagnosis of these conditions.

“A diagnosis of a memory disorder, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, is overwhelming for many individuals and their families,” said Allen Hager, Founder of Right at Home. “Families worry about safety, particularly if they live at a distance from the individual. For these families, in-home and other community-based supportive care services can provide care and peace of mind in a familiar and secure environment throughout the early to middle stages of these disorders.”

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, which affect approximately 4.5 million Americans, are chronic conditions that slowly rob patients of their mental function and lead to a decline in thinking and motor skills. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 80 percent of our nation’s elderly are affected by one or more chronic conditions that limit their daily activities and impact their quality of life.

According to Hager, there are several quality of life indicators that in-home caregivers can closely monitor and adapt for individuals with chronic conditions affecting memory and brain function. Ensuring that individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia are getting the right nutrition is important. Forgetting to eat or having difficulty in preparing or making the trip to purchase food can cause some of these individuals to lose significant amounts of weight and lead to dehydration. As the disorders progress, the physical actions of eating may be affected by the progression of the disease, so caregivers may need to assist patients with feeding, cut up or puree foods and thicken liquids.

Memory loss can be frustrating for early-stage patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Caregivers can help structure the person’s day and help develop reminder systems to alleviate some of the difficulty. Setting up a basket in a prominent place for keys, wallets and phones helps establish a place where these frequently-lost items can be found. Posting a large, easy-to-read calendar with appointments and tasks clearly marked helps the individual maintain awareness of time as they cross off each passing day. Placing a list of important phone numbers next to the phone aids these individuals in staying connected to friends and family.

Caregivers also should encourage the individual to participate in the activities they can still manage and help them maintain a connection to the things they love, by playing their favorite music, going through family photo albums, listening to or viewing talk shows they enjoy or reading books about topics that interest them. Caregivers also can support physical activities, such as gardening, playing a musical instrument or walking to ensure that patients can enjoy the benefits of these activities safely. As these disorders progress, caregivers will be able to adapt or substitute similar activities if physical actions become limited.

“Alzheimer’s and dementia patients can continue living relatively independently in the familiar environment of home with the support and supervision of a dedicated caregiver,” said Hager. “Extra assistance in the home can help those with these and other chronic illnesses maintain the lifestyle they choose and a higher quality of life than in an institutional setting.”

Right at Home offers in-home supportive care and assistance to seniors and other adults to help them continue to live independently. Right at Home directly employs all direct care provider staff, is bonded and insured, and carefully pre-screens all caregivers prior to their entering a client’s home. All ongoing care is monitored and supervised by local independent owners. Some offices provide medical home healthcare, as well. Right at Home’s home office is based in Omaha, Neb., with franchise offices throughout the United States. For more information on Right at Home, visit the company’s Web site at www.rightathome.net.

Editor's Note: Right at Home franchise Allen Hager is available for interviews.
Please call (402) 697-7537 to schedule an interview.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Allen Hager, Founder,
(402) 697-7537