You probably have many questions regarding home care services for your elderly loved ones, or ones that have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s. Right At Home wants to help you make the best decision when it comes to your family’s well-being and health, so we answer the most frequently asked questions around the topic.
What do you look for in a senior home care provider?
When choosing a home care provider or home care services, you should look for:
- Transparency: The address, local phone number, and the owner’s details should be readily available online and/or in their brochure.
- Long-term and happy employees: The last thing you want is a caregiver who is unhappy in their role.
- Caregivers with at least 2 years’ experience: a qualified and experienced caregiver has a better understanding of a recipient’s needs and how to best provide it.
- A registered nurse on staff: a registered nurse should be available to assess health and caregiving needs so that you get the best possible care.
At which point can a person no longer stay in home care?
Although it is a hard decision, you need to evaluate your living situation at home and identify signs that you need professional help outside of home. Most important indicators are: You don’t have enough time to give them the attention they need. You can no longer keep them reasonably safe, clean, fed and medicated, especially if they cannot be left alone for any length of time.
How and when to move someone with dementia to a nursing home?
It might be time for you to consider a nursing home care or other care services for your loved one when vital things like safety/security, health (both physical and mental) and level of care needs are being compromised or delayed by other responsibilities or caregiver burnout.
If you’ve talked to your loved one and have decided to move them to a nursing home or assisted living facility you should check 3 important points to make sure the place you’re choosing is the right for you: It provides a friendly and healthy environment, has a professional senior care program and other services, and a prepared and committed elderly care staff. When moving, remember it should be a gentle, gradual and planned transition.
Alzheimer’s
How do I choose the best care for an elderly person with Alzheimer's?
When it comes to Alzheimer's and dementia care in your home, as with many senior home care scenarios, you should go through some few steps to make sure they will provide good quality support to the family.
- Assess the care required at home.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations.
- Look for institutions or professional caregivers that best suit your expectations.
- Appoint an interview with them and make sure you express all your worries and needs.
- Talk to your loved one and help him/her adapt to the idea of this new type of care.
What are the signs that indicate your elder family member needs Alzheimer's care services?
If your elderly family member shows these symptoms, it might mean that they need senior home care, move into a senior living residence, or other care services that can accommodate their living needs.
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality
Dementia
What is the best way to care for someone with dementia at home?
Patience and learning how to communicate effectively can help make your home senior caregiving experience at home less stressful. It'll also improve your ability to handle any problematic behavior you may encounter when giving senior home care of any kind.
What are the pros and cons of sending my mom who has early signs of dementia to a nursing home?
Many family members feel guilty about placing a parent in care but unless you can offer 24/7 care yourself, or hire professional caregivers, it will be the best choice for him/her. Here are some pros and cons:
PROS:
- Professional nurses and doctors around.
- Being part of a community of people with the same condition.
CONS:
- It can be expensive.
- Fear of abuse/neglect
- It can lead to isolation and depression.
- You don’t get to be around and check on him/her everyday.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of caring for an Alzheimer's patient at home as opposed to in a nursing home?
Advantages of Alzheimer’s care services:
- Cost is much less.
- 24 hour care/supervision.
- Familiar environment.
- Disadvantages of Alzheimer’s care services:
- Caregiver burnout.
- Depending on family and friends for occasional help.
Parkinson’s
What is the duty of a caregiver to a patient with Parkinson's disease?
For taking care of an elderly patient with Parkinson disease a caregiver has to know about the disease. This helps in understanding the symptoms and how to help the patient in managing them.
What is the best exercise for a Parkinson's patient?
Every Parkinson’s patient is different so the best exercise for them will be the one that adapts to their needs, abilities and preference. Here are some of the best exercises for elderly Parkinson’s patients, remember to always check with your doctor or caregiver before engaging in any physical activity.
- Walking
- Dancing
- Yoga classes
- Tai Chi classes
- Stepping over obstacles
- Marching to music with big arm swings
- Sports (Table Tennis, Badminton, golf, tennis, volleyball)
- Aerobic/Jazz classes
- Walking on a treadmill with different speeds and inclines
- Swimming with different strokes
Can someone with Parkinson's live alone?
Although it can be difficult, it is possible for someone, including seniors, with Parkinson’s to live alone. It depends on many factors such as: the level of independence of the patient, the stage of their condition and if they have another chronic condition, disability or cognitive disorder. Lastly, their preferred care method is also very important to take into account. It also takes some changes in your routine and modifications at home, and with a little help from family and friends everything is possible.