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.
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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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"Lisa, the aide, does a wonderful job. I am very pleased with her help. Right at Home is a wonderful company. I was happy to have them for my help."
-Helen
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"Right at Home has been excellent throughout the experience of providing care for my mother while she was recovering from a fall that immobilized her. From Pete to Debbie to the actual caregivers, they have done an excellent job, over delivered as far as my family and I are concerned"
-JD
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"Right at Home was able to provide dignity, caring and thoughtfulness through the end of my mother's life. The dependable caregiver was friendly, compassionate and respectful with our entire family! I have recommended Right at Home to several friends and will continue to do so with others as the need arises."
-Jodi
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"Alicia works for Right at Home. She does everything I ask. Many times she empties trash cans, vacuums, and does dishes without being asked. She sees what needs to be done and does it. She also helps with personal care. I cannot lift my left leg, so she helps me on and off my shower chair and with dressing"
-June
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"Pete and all the staff are very caring and sensitive to the needs of our situation. My wife and I feel extremely confident about the care Right at Home caregivers provide my 90-year old mother."
-Kim
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"Without Right at Home my mother couldn't have stayed in her home which I had always promised her. The caregivers were wonderful and all administrators were so helpful whenever I called them. I was 500 miles away, but it was so easy working with everyone with texting and phone calls. I highly recommend Right at Home!"
-Mary
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"We had Right at Home in to watch both my mother and father. They were recommended by a nurse at WMC and have given my brother and me peace of mind and confidence. We both live close but have jobs that require us to rely on help with their care; the caregivers and the office staff made this a wonderful experience. Both of our parents enjoyed their final stage of life with Right at Home, not only did they provide for their physical needs but they keep them occupied and engaged and made them happy! They also were very helpful in noting changes in my mom's condition as she got worse in the late spring and June. They are great. We recommend them to everyone."
-MK
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"Donna and Joey come to stay with my husband so I can go to my doctor appointments, shopping, etc. My husband likes both Donna and Joey. They are very caring and friendly. I know my husband is in good hands, so I don't have to worry. They give excellent care. I would highly recommend them to my friends"
-Paulette
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"Pete and the homecare team were great. Always flexible with hours as well as who was the best fit for our needs. The 12-hour shifts helped keep the turnover in the house to a minimum"
-Ray