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.
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
"Excellent care and service. Attentive to my mother’s needs. Helping me with organizing my mother’s needs at home after coming from the hospital. Responsive to my questions and feel secure leaving my mother in the care of Right at Home Medina caregivers. I highly recommend them! "
Jen M.
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"My parents are Ron and Joan and I met you at their home. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to you and your staff for helping my father care for my mother during the last several weeks that she was home. I had the opportunity to meet and observe Jenny, Brandi, Carmen and Maryann. They were all extremely caring, compassionate, professional, knowledgeable and kind. Please pass along my gratitude to them all and let them know what a positive force they were on my Dad. My Mom's battle with Alzheimer's has been a horrible experience for her and our family.
From the onset, any attempts to improve her quality of life or handle the disease have backfired or failed. Hiring your caregivers was the only thing that had a positive outcome and gave my Dad the help and peace of mind that he so desperately needed.
Your staff should be commended on making such a difference in our lives. Thank you for everything you did for my parents. "
Sincerely, Julie
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"Dear Pam, Kim and Lalitha, Just wanted to drop you all a few lines and tell you what a wonderful experience it has been working for your company past few years. You all have been like family to me in so many ways. All the hardships I have had over the past few years, mostly the past year and half, you guys have always remained constant in my life. The advice you all have given as well as support, an ear to listen and vent has meant the world to me. I will forever be grateful for that and not sure I will find a place like this to work at again. I have realized that working with elderly people has truly been the most rewarding job I have ever done. You have accommodated my every need with time off and being so flexible with my schedule. It’s been awesome! I will miss each and everyone of you so much. I will keep in touch after all of these things slow down with the move. I will always come visit when I am in town. Thank you so much for everything and will miss you guys so very much. "
Kelly
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"Dear Right at Home Friends, thank you for the thoughtful donation to the Seville Fire Assoc. in memory of my mother, M J. Everyone's kindness throughout my mother's illness will not be forgotten."
Jennifer
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"To Everyone at Right at Home, thank you for the wonderful care you provided for my mom and dad- Rudi and Shirley. From the initial contact with the office staff, through the actual caregivers, our experiences was one of satisfaction. Sabina is an amazing caretaker. Her concern for those she interacts with comes through in all she does. Her ability to work with my mom, who has dementia, to help her, to gently remind her, to protect her dignity is amazing. Thanks also to Denise for her kind and compassionate care. Thank you for the wonderful meals, the laughter, the cups of tea, your attention to details big and small are appreciated. We are grateful. "
Karen
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"Pam, Sabina and Denise, thank you so much for all of the loving care you gave my dad, Joe, in his final days. We appreciate all that you've done and continue to do! You're the best TEAM we could ever ask for!! 😀"
Sue and Jim
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"Right at Home, our family would like to thank you for the generous donation to Hospice in J M's name. They were wonderful with her at the end of her journey, as were all of you and your staff at the beginning and middle."
The M Family