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
"To you and your staff, I and my daughter Nancy, want to say a heartfelt thank you for helping us to care for Don L. - my husband and her father during the last weeks of his life. Your choice of Daisy M. as a caregiver for us was a good fit. She made herself acquainted with Don right away and he was glad to see her each time when she came. I was glad to see her too because she did so many things to help me. I wasn't aware that the commode in the bedroom could be used on top of the toilet in the bathroom to give Don handles to get up. She showed us how. I found out she was experienced with patients who have vascular dementia and short term memory loss like Don had. I have never had someone to help me before in so many ways. She always asked permission to do some cleaning and I gladly said, "yes." She cleaned the bathroom, made our bed, fixed Don's lunch, did our few dishes, took out the trash, - whatever was needed. On Don's last day she was there in the morning. She was able to get him to eat a bowl of cereal, helped to brush his teeth, gave him a shave, and combed his hair. I think she knew he was close to the end. He died "Right at Home" June 2nd at 10:40 p.m. under hospice care. God uses good people like you, your staff, and special caregivers like Daisy to be his hands and feet. May God bless you in your work."
Patsy and Nancy
Hear What Others Are Saying
"They are very professional, on time, and they will always let me know what is going on. They help me with my mobility, with putting on my socks and shoes, and they will help with household chores. She helps me wash my legs, sweeps my porch, and helps me so I can walk with my walker. They are always very professional, take my messages, and send me to the right place when I have a question. She is very competent and has a positive attitude."
Robert L.
Hear What Others Are Saying
"Dear David & Kristine - THANK YOU for everything you did to ease my mind, and my family's burden during my Father's decline and death. Your responsiveness to our calls, our needs and last-minute requests was simply phenomenal. Never doubt that what you do everyday matters - it made ALL the difference. I'm not sure what your process for hiring caregivers is, but whatever it is, keep doing it! Every single one of the caregivers you sent us was so kind, competent, thoughtful and knowledgeable. Wishing you all the best, and feeling so immensely grateful for your help in our time of need!"
Janet S.