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.
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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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"I would tell someone about Right at Home because they were wonderful and less expensive than others. Right at Home makes life easier because I can not do any cleaning and they do it for me. Right at Home caregivers helps me clean the bathroom, shower, vacuum, and the floors.Right at Home's office staff is very accommodating to deal with when I need to change to the schedule."
Anne
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"They have given me the service that I have asked for and beyond."
Bob, Client's family member
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"Right at Home's services have allowed me to maintain the things that I cannot do. My caregiver is on time, and starts to work right away. She keeps working until it's time to go home. My caregiver is really good at cleaning the house. She does the dishes and changes the bed sheets. My caregiver is too compassionate. She hardly lets me take care of some things."
Charlie, Client
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"Just knowing that they are here for emergencies or falls helps me the most. He doesn't require all that much care. They talk to him a lot. They interact with him."
Claudette, Client's Family Member
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"(The caregivers) show a deep interest in the patient and what she can do for him."
Diane, Client's Family Member
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"I have never been disappointed. I couldn't get along without them. They do everything for me. They do my shopping and cleaning."
Henry, Client in Port Richey, FL
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"I trust the agency because they're responsible and honest. They have demonstrated that with the aides that come and help my mom and also with the office staff with any questions I have."
Kathy, Client's Family Member
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"Right at Home was provided to us through a care program for the elderly. The caregiver goes above and beyond in her care for my grandmother. Our caregiver has lots of experience, she's been doing this a very long time. The caregiver can get my grandmother to laugh and keep her in a good mood. The office at Right at Home is really quick with my calls. They're easy and simple and will address any problems. "
Marian, Client's Family Member
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"She was very caring and was almost like a friend to me. We talked about everything. Their employees were as happy and helpful as can be."
Marona, Client in Dade City, FL
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"I like that I have the same woman who comes each time. She does whatever I need her to do and is very personable."
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"We have been exceptionally pleased with the services provided by Right at Home ... They have provided education-based care to a loved one with advancing dementia with dignity and respect."
Michelle, Client's Family Member
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"I like that they have good quality of care. I need the services because I am alone now that my wife has passed away. I appreciate that they are dependable, timely, and courteous."
Rudy, Client in Port Richey, FL
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"I like the fact that we don't get locked into a certain number of hours a week."
Timothy, family member of client
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"When you call, the office is pretty good at helping, even with last minute things. The office was there for me and managed the difficult situation even though I told them last minute."
Roberta, Client in Port Richey, FL
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"These caregivers make it possible for my husband and I to stay in our home. I'm so thankful for Right at Home and their caregivers."
Norma, Client