Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Cognitive Change
No matter the cause, conditions that result in a change of mood, memory or the thinking process are especially tough. When these are associated with aging, we often call them “Alzheimer’s,” but in reality, Alzheimer’s is just one of many different disorders of the brain.
Caring for a family member or friend with cognitive difficulties is demanding. If you’re doing it by yourself, it’s even tougher. At times, it can feel like you’re battling both the disease and the person. They need a sense of normalcy, but they don’t always act like they want it. Even when you’re doing everything right, it can feel like you’re doing everything wrong. It drains you emotionally and physically.
We believe that it doesn’t have to. Our approach is about helping you reclaim precious moments with your loved one, so instead of worrying about their bad days, you can celebrate their good days. Most of all, we want to be there for both of you so you don't have to do it alone.
Right at Home Alameda County offers a customized care plan with a combination of personal care, companionship and homemaking, and just as importantly, we can provide respite care for you and your other loved ones.
Feeling Lost?
Let Us Help You Care for Those With Dementia
It can be especially hard to help someone with dementia like Alzheimer’s when the condition is so difficult to understand. In this guide, we’ll give you the basics of what causes dementia, along with some strategies for care.
Learn more
Need time for yourself? We’re there for you at any time, anywhere.
Right at Home’s Dementia Guide Video Series
In this collection, gerontologist Diane Darby Beach, Ph.D., will take you through some of the most important details of how cognitive change can progress, so you can be more prepared for whatever the future brings.
Watch the series
Four Ways We Can Help
1. Building Normalcy
Reducing stress for someone with Alzheimer’s means being
consistent. We can help you and your friend or family member create and stick to
a routine, and we can do it in a way that meets their particular needs.
This includes:
This includes:
- Making sure the home feels familiar to them
- Giving them the freedom to move about unrestricted in the home
- Minimizing stresses that can aggravate the symptoms of cognitive change
- Keeping them oriented with daily reminders of time, place and person
2. A Helping Hand
Along with a specialized cognitive care plan, Right at Home caregivers also provide general companionship to your loved one, including helping with daily tasks and protecting them from isolation or loneliness.
3. Keeping Them on Track
People with dementia may have specific, strict medication regimens. In some cases, this could require the services of a skilled nurse. Fortunately, in some states, many of our caregivers are also trained nurses, so you can rest assured the person’s needs will be met.
4. Giving You a Break
Since you carry a heavy burden as a caregiver of a person with dementia, it’s important to have a break. We can help with that, too, giving you much-needed rest and time off so you can focus on your own needs.
Learn more
The Latest Thinking in Cognitive and Dementia Care
Research into the care and treatment of dementia like Alzheimer’s is constantly growing. Here are some of the latest ideas that have guided our training and care programs.
Hear What Others Are Saying
"Looking for care for a parent in need can be overwhelming and heartbreaking. The team at Right At Home is made up of caring professionals who provided us support and guidance during this challenging time. From the initial phone conversation, to the in-home evaluation, to the several staff members who have assisted my mother over the past year, to the management team who coordinates, our family has been pleased, relieved, and impressed with the level of professionalism and caring that have been given to all of us. "
Carter
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"Right at Home was the most helpful company I have ever worked with. My parents would not have been able to stay in their home in the last three years without the excellent care they received from Wendy and Anna. Even help that came in for one or two days was excellent and very caring. "
Mary
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"I like that they have never let me down at all. I could not possibly recommend anyone else, and all my experiences have been positive. This is great service and quality of service."
Ken
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"My husband was losing mobility and could not be left at home alone. Right at Home provided fun and compassionate people to provide meals, assistance and company to him."
Tammy
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"I am rating Right at Home Alameda County an A+ for customer service, customer support, excellent care programs, fast response to care needs of clients. I can depend on them to provide the best, quality, round-the-clock service for me."
Aoguntua
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"The caregivers with Right at Home provided my mother with the support, safety and TLC that allowed her to stay at home with my father until his death. The caregivers were patient and responsive to mom's particular needs."
Terry
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"I wasn't able to get around when I first started. I'm doing much better and it's been very beneficial to me.
I would recommend them because their services are very thorough and they have lots of tender loving care."
Verne
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"The most important thing is they make sure I take my medications, they help me with drying and adding lotion after my shower, and they put on my socks and shoes. They purchase some of my needs with grocery shopping, and they make sure I have enough pads and supplies because I am incontinent. I use them also to carry things up to the road for the garbage man.
They are very caring, they keep in touch, and they are very aware of the scheduling problems that some folks have."
Joan
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"Life has been easier because they get me together in the morning. The people at Right at Home know what I want and like, so that is helpful for me."
Arlene
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"Both my husband and daughter are bedridden. They help them with morning and evening care.
I like the fact that I am always able to get in touch with them. They will take time to listen if I have extra things that I am asking about."
Robert