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 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.
Right at Home’s Dementia and Cognitive Support Program
What if every person with dementia, no matter how advanced their disease, still had the ability to be present and aware of their surroundings? That’s the question that inspired our approach. To us, it’s not unrealistic. In fact, we’ve made it a fundamental goal of our care program. Our method is customized to the unique needs of the person with dementia, and delivered by certified providers. It consists of reinforcing the three key grounding principles:
Ability
Personhood
Lifestyle
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
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.
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"You have all done a simply marvelous job helping my mom. Details of her medical appointment yesterday are below. Our family are very grateful to you!" [I was delighted to go to your mother’s cardiology appointment with her on behalf of CareLink this morning to see Dr. George. I arrived at the same time as Jane along with her aide Kristen. During our time in the waiting area, Kristen brought along snacks and fed Jane peach yogurt. Jane had a nice appetite. Kristen was very attentive to her and had her sitting up nice and straight in her wheelchair. She gave the Nursing Home nurse's notes to the office nurse. - Cardiology Nurse]"
Stephen in Mason, Ohio
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"First, I would like to thank your agency and especially Justin for helping us out in our time of need with such short notice. Justin was wonderful and made things move much smoother than they would have without him, he was able to talk to Don and keep him calm, and was great help when the ambulance and police came. If he was not there I think things would not have gone smoothly at all. Justin went above his duty coming in to help even though he had just worked a shift and he initially said he could only stay until 8, but rearranged his schedule so he could stay longer so we could get Don to the hospital without incident. So, thank him for us. Right now, Don is in the hospital today and the plan is to have him discharged to assisted living for a little while. We will be in contact soon when things get settled in, to possibly do some caregiver visits so Don can do his running or other activities."
Stephanie in Cincinnati, Ohio
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"Sarah, both Bunny and I want to thank you for putting up with me for the past several weeks. We truly appreciate it. "
Bob in Kentucky
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"Tony, may the spirit of the risen Christ live within you now and always. Have a blessed Easter. This is way past due but I hope you will accept it in the spirit of gratitude that is give. Our brothers are grateful for the care Valorie and the Right at Home caregivers gave to brother James in November and December. We were very delighted with all that was done for him. Brother James appreciates now being around folks his own age. The care at Carnell Manor is terrific unfortunately he now has heart issues the Alzheimer’s and dementia he’s trying to make the best of “things.” God bless you and all who work with you. May you have a grand Easter."
Brother Ed in Covington, KY
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"My dad is flourishing, looking well, and getting great care from Barb, so massive kudos there. He has put on weight and really likes Barb."
Client in Cincinnati, Ohio
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"Steve was amazed when he came home and Lydia was happy and relaxed as he has ever seen her. Mike said that every aide we have sent has been wonderful but the fact that we amazed Steve is a big deal! I thanked Felicia and told her as much. Wanted to share."
Client in Cincinnati, Ohio
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"I just want to take the time say I to say thank you for showing such exemplary work. Mary, you are a such great aide. You have the best heart for the job. You are a hard worker and vert dedicated to taking care of the clients."
Client in Cincinnati, Ohio
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"Right at Home makes sure that the job gets done. The services from Right at Home make it easier on the family because there is someone else to depend on. Without Right at Home, it would be up to us to do everything that my mom needs."
Duane
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"Right at Home is very accommodating, even at the last minute. They do magic and they manage to do whatever I need done. Right at Home has made life easier for me by accommodating me without much fuss. I have particular hours that are strange, and they accommodate exactly what I need."
Francoise
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"With many thanks to you for your kindness, Thank all of you so much for the wonderful chimes. We really loved having you for a caregiving agency. You’re all terrific!"
Jan Abe and Robin in Cincinnati, Ohio
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"I had a wonderful visit with your mother today, she was in terrific spirits, she was entertaining several of her friends, residents, and staff members in the great room. Marna was her caregiver today, she is always so good with Jane by keeping her engaged with others, reminiscing, etc.. Jane was talking about Joe getting remarried and telling us about her wedding. Many here tell me how much they like her caregiver and how well she works with your mother. I will let Valorie know. Jane has been talkative all day, she was beaming, smiling, telling jokes."
Laura in Mason, Ohio
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"My mother has been using in-home caregivers through Right at Home for approximately one year. We have been very satisfied with the caregivers that have been sent to help care for Mom. We are comfortable knowing that she is in good hands."
Mary
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"I would tell a friend that the caregivers from Right at Home are reliable, come on time, and leave when I ask. I am 85 years old and am on oxygen 24/7. I have to do a lot of exercise because I hurt. I am pleased with the way that Right at Home performs its services."
Pat
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"I had a wonderful visit with your mother today, she was in terrific spirits, she was entertaining several of her friends, residents, and staff members in the great room. Marna was her caregiver today, she is always so good with Jane by keeping her engaged with others, reminiscing, etc.. Jane was talking about Joe getting remarried and telling us about her wedding. Many here tell me how much they like her caregiver and how well she works with your mother. I will let Valorie know. Jane has been talkative all day, she was beaming, smiling, telling jokes."
Sandy in Cincinnati, Ohio
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"Dear Justin, thank you so much for putting your own life and plans on hold on Sunday to come help with my dad. Without you I am sure things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. We are so grateful to you. Thanks again."
Tjeong in Covington, KY