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A female caregiver talking to an elderly woman in a wheelchair at a flower garden A female caregiver talking to an elderly woman in a wheelchair at a flower garden

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.

An elderly woman sitting comfortably with a dog on a single sofa chair An elderly woman sitting comfortably with a dog on a single sofa chair

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:

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Ability
A line-art drawing of a puzzle piece.
Personhood
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Lifestyle
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Thumbnail featuring the cover of the guide. It includes a silhouette of a person’s head with the brain’s different parts colored in.

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.
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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

A caregiver talks to a patient over tea. A caregiver talks to a patient over tea.
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:

  • 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
A caregiver and her patient standing in front of a cash register in a store. A caregiver and her patient standing in front of a cash register in a store.
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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A caregiver and her patient discuss medication. A caregiver and her patient discuss medication.
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.
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A caregiver and a patient’s family member talk outdoors. A caregiver and a patient’s family member talk outdoors.
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.
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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.
female caregiver playing chess with senior
female caregiver playing chess with senior

Top 10 Myths About Your Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

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smiling senior and younger ladies
smiling senior and younger ladies

Adapting the Home When a Loved One Has Alzheimer's Disease

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senior and caregiver arranging flowers
senior and caregiver arranging flowers

When Your Loved One Receives a Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

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Female Caregiver with Female Client
Female Caregiver with Female Client

See What Clients Are Saying

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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, Client, Right at Home Merrillville

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"A quick note to let you know how outstanding Roxanna, Christine and Barbara are in their care of Mom and me. Mom feels comfortable with these three extraordinary women. They go above and beyond and we feel so fortunate to have them working with us. Right at Home did an excellent job of giving us the best! "
Kathleen, Client, Right at Home Merrillville

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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 exercises because I hurt. I am pleased with the way that Right at Home performs their services."
Pat, Client, Right at Home Merrillville

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"Your caregiver Roxanna was so helpful and wonderful on Monday, not only did she go to the grocery for me, she came home and cooked a fabulous dinner. I adore my caregivers like family."
Kathleen, Client, Right at Home Merrillville

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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, Client's Child, Right at Home Merrillville

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"Right at Home's caregiver Barbara is wonderful with Mom especially on shower days. Mom feels very comfortable with her and has a strong connection since Barbara is also a Cubs fan! She is a fabulous cook and makes Mom's favorite dishes."
Kathleen, Client, Right at Home Merrillville

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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, Client's Family, Right at Home Merrillville

See What Clients Are Saying

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"My mom's caregiver Christine gets Mom up and moving, and also has cooked delicious meals. Thanks to these great ladies, Mom and I are eating healthy. Thank you. I have and will recommend Right At Home to friends and relatives."
Kathleen, Client's Family, Right at Home Merrillville

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