Tag: Dementia

Blog

September is World Alzheimer’s Month

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

September is World Alzheimer’s Month

Every September is World Alzheimer’s Month where people from around the world come together to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that remains. This year’s World Alzheimer’s Month campaign ‘Time to Act on Dementia, Time to Act on Alzheimers’ seeks to redress discrimination, while highlighting the positive steps being undertaken by organisations globally to develop a more dementia friendly society. 

How to Support World Alzheimer’s Month

Donate: Help to find a cure by making a donation today.
Research: Take part in research by joining Dementia Research.
Volunteer: There are many inventive ways to volunteer whether by running marathons or holding awareness talks within your community.

Numerous tactics and advice are accessible to assist families and caregivers in offering the highest quality of care for loved ones grappling with this advancing condition. Care 24-7 can provide you with information about caring for your loved one with dementia with the below tips and strategies.

Did You know?

Almost 80% of the general public are concerned about developing dementia at some point according to The World Alzheimer’s Report.

September is World Alzheimer's Month

Understand the Condition

By acquiring extensive knowledge about the condition, caregivers are empowered to make informed choices for their loved ones. Read resources or watch videos to learn more. Organisations such as Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK can be invaluable sources of information and guidance.

It is helpful for families to familiarise themselves with the four distinct varieties of this condition and their associated symptoms. Grasping the fundamentals, including its onset and progression, can aid in understanding that mood and behavior changes are common for loved ones affected by it. The more you know about it, the more support that can be provided.

  • Alzheimer’s disease: challenges in recognising individuals, difficulties in communication, and impulsive actions.
  • Frontotemporal dementia: characterised by heightened emotions, tremors, and balance issues.
  • Lewy body: trouble focusing, muscle stiffness, and diminished facial expressions.
  • Vascular: may lead to hallucinations or delusions, misplaced belongings, and impaired judgment.
September is World Alzheimer's Month

Simplify the Environment

Simplifying the environment can be a challenge for many caregivers but it is very beneficial as it prevents confusion and unwanted accidents. As families want a comfortable and safe environment for their loved ones, simplicity can be key in fostering a peaceful home. Living in an overly stimulating setting with excess clutter, loud noises or bright lights may cause confusion. It then becomes difficult to make sense of immediate surroundings causing distress.

Three simple steps to take in simplifying the home:

  • Place objects and items out of the way that can cause confusion and stress by removing them from walkways when they are not needed, preventing falls.
  • Keeping the environment clean and uncluttered is key. Cleaning often creates a more structured environment for loved ones where they can feel at ease and comfortable inviting guests over, allowing them to remain sociable.
  • Place colourful labels on items and drawers. This saves time and confusion when looking for certain items and will help with memory loss if they forget where they left something.

Communicate Effectively

For families, communication is essential in order to maintain a meaningful connection. Having a positive outlook and creating a loving atmosphere will boost morale. Allowing plenty of time for answering questions when communicating and using physical prompts such as gestures can also be very effective. It’s important to remain patient and kind while ensuring your loved one feels respected and valued throughout any conversation taking place.

Tips on Communicating:

• Speak in a calm and reassuring manner
• Use simple, clear language
• Be patient and understanding
• Maintain eye contact

Activity Participation

One of the best ways to care for loved ones is to help them remain active. This can mean getting them involved in day-to-day tasks in and around the home. Providing activities can improve the quality of life for them, their families and caregivers.

Families should first consult with their elderly loved one’s medical professionals to tailor activities based on their individual care plan. These activities should be enjoyable and encourage socialisation, helping to retain mental sharpness and muscle strength. Visually stimulating activities that involve the brain processing what the human eye sees, can be extremely beneficial.

Activities that provide visual stimulation include:

  • Painting
  • Gardening
  • Completing jigsaw puzzles
  • Playing board games

Activities are an essential component in the treatment of Alzheimers and engaging in them can strengthen relationships when they are carried out together and provide a sense of togetherness for families.

At Care 24-7, we aspire to support people living with this condition to live healthy, active and fulfilling lives promoting choice, dignity and well-being. 

You can find out more about the benefits of in-home care for loved ones with Dementia in our previous blog and learn more about Our Personalised Care Plans for your loved on.

older person home care services in bradford and leeds and Caring for a Loved One with Dementia: Tips and Strategies

Home Care plays an integral part in helping to maintain the quality of life while managing the physical and emotional needs of those living with this condition. It is important to help maintain comfort, safety, and quality of life for all involved. Why not get involved this September and show your support for all those affected by Alzheimers. Through various activities, the stigma surrounding it can be reduced while bringing communities together.

Want to know more about our dementia services?

Contact Us Today

Read more of our blogs

Blog, Healthcare Jobs, Home Care

Understanding Types of Homecare Services

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

Understanding the Different Types of Home Care Services

Home care services, also known as domiciliary care, are when care staff travel to the homes of people in need of assistance. This care is arranged through the local council or through private agencies. They come in the form of healthcare jobs that provide assistance with activities of daily living and healthcare to individuals in their own homes. They cover a wide range of services such as personal care, respite care, and end-of-life care.

With the right knowledge and education, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and families can all make informed decisions on how to best provide care and assistance to a loved one living at home. By understanding the different types of home care services available, everyone can better work towards improving the quality of life for those who need it most.

Personal Care

Personal care is a home care service that provides assistance to individuals with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and hygiene needs. It is designed to help seniors, those with disabilities, or anyone that needs assistance to maintain independence in their own home.

This type of care also includes meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, errands, and companionship. Personal care attendants can provide assistance with mobility and transfers, as well as provide assistance with activities of daily living, such as meal planning and grocery shopping. They can also provide medication reminders and help with medication administration.

Additionally, personal care attendants can provide transportation to medical appointments and social activities, as well as help with organizing and maintaining personal records and bills. They can also offer emotional support, comfort, and safety for individuals who require assistance.

Personal care for elderly woman and the different types of homecare services.

Types of Personal Care include:

  • Bathing/Grooming Assistance
  • Light Housekeeping
  • Meal Preparation

Care 24-7

People who use our services range from older people, to those with physical disabilities, people with dementia or those who are nearing the end of their life. Care is also available for those who are returning from a stay in hospital offering respite for family carers.

Care 24-7 logo

Respite Care

Understanding the different types of homecare with elderly woman and nurse

Respite care is short-term relief for primary caregivers, allowing them to take a break from their caregiving duties. It can be provided in a variety of settings, including in-home care, adult day services, or overnight care in a facility. Respite care can be arranged on a temporary or more permanent basis. This depends on the needs of the caregiver and the care recipient.

This service guarantees that your loved one will be looked after by a qualified healthcare provider, providing peace of mind to the main caregiver, who may be a relative and is unable to provide care for a certain amount of time.

Caring for a loved one full-time can be an emotionally, physically, and mentally draining experience. It can be difficult to manage a full-time caregiving role while also tending to other responsibilities, such as family and work obligations. In these cases, respite care can provide a much-needed break for family members who are providing care, knowing their loved one is in safe and capable hands. This rest period can be used to attend to other duties, or simply take some time to relax and recharge.

Respite care also provides an opportunity for the family member to get a better understanding of the care their loved one needs, allowing them to make informed decisions about the best care support for their loved one in the future.

Dementia Care

Dementia care services can be provided through home care services. Home care services allow a person with dementia to receive care and support in the comfort and privacy of their own home. Assistance can include help with daily living activities (such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation), help with managing medications, and can also be a source of companionship. It is care that focuses on the emotional and psychological needs of the individual.

Services may include:

  • Supervision and safety monitoring: Ensures alarms are functioning and house safety features are installed.
  • Assistance with activities of daily living: Assistance with bathing and cleaning.
  • Assistance with nutrition and meal preparation: Ensures medicine and food is taken correctly.
  • Cognitive stimulation activities: Such as puzzle making, creating art or listening to music.

If you would like to read more about dementia and in-home care, our blog The Benefits of In-Home Care for Elderly Adults with Dementia will provide more information.

If you’d like to gain a better understanding of dementia and the advantages of in-home care for elderly people suffering from it, our blog post about these topics is a great resource to look into.

End-of-Life Care

End-of-life care, also known as palliative care, is care that is provided to an individual who is in the last stages of life. It is often provided by home care services and typically includes physical, emotional, and spiritual support. End-of-care services can range from providing comfort and companionship to helping with medical and practical tasks to providing help with daily living activities.

End-of-care services also involves providing support to the individual and their family during this difficult time. This includes assistance in planning end-of-life wishes as well as providing emotional and spiritual support. Benefits of this type of care include:

Flexibility: It allows patients to remain in familiar surroundings, surrounded by family and friends, while still receiving specialised medical and emotional care.

Cost Savings: Generally speaking, palliative care at home is less expensive than care in a hospital or hospice.

Quality of Life: Many people prefer to stay in the familiar environment of their own home, where they can maintain the hobbies, activities, and routines that they value while feeling comfortable.

If you are considering in-home care for yourself or a loved one, it is important to understand the different types of services available and what each type of service entails.

Having a thorough understanding of the different types of in-home care available and their associated benefits can help you make an informed decision about what type of care is best for you and your loved one. Consider the various types of in-home care services such as companionship, personal care, and medical care and assess which type is most appropriate for your particular situation. Research the credentials and experience of any potential in-home care providers and ask questions to ensure that you are comfortable with the person providing care for your loved one.

In addition, look into the cost of in-home care services and what type of insurance coverage is available, if any, to help cover the costs. With this information on hand, you can make an informed decision about the type of in-home care that is best for you and your loved one’s needs.

Considering in-home care, contact us today.

Contact Us

Read more of our blogs

Blog, Healthcare Jobs, Home Care

The Benefits of In-Home Care for Elderly Adults with Dementia

5 tips on finding the right homecare provider

The Benefits of In-Home Care for Elderly Adults with Dementia

Caring for an elderly adult with dementia may be challenging however, when you choose in-home care to look after your loved one, the process can be stress-free. In-home care can look after their needs in ways an assisted living facility can’t. It promotes independence and allows loved ones to live comfortably in their own homes. There are many benefits of in-home care for elderly adults with dementia.

Choosing this type of care has the potential to enrich an older person’s life while helping them remain safe at home for as long as possible. By providing personalised attention, these services create opportunities for social interaction, greater independence, and meaningful connections. They help to ensure safety while dealing with health changes associated with dementia.

At Care 24-7, people who use in-home care services range from elderly people, those with physical disabilities, people with dementia, those who are nearing the end of their life and those returning from a stay in hospital.

This offers respite for family carers and gives them the peace of mind that their loved ones are being taken care of with respect and kindness in the comfort of their own homes.

Find Out More

Familiar Surroundings

Being in a familiar environment can provide a sense of comfort and security for individuals with dementia. This is less disorienting than a move to an assisted living facility, which can lead to unease because of such a drastic change in life. Maintaining a schedule similar to the one they followed prior to their diagnosis can help reduce anxiety and confusion while improving overall well-being.

Did You Know?
The person most often diagnosed with dementia is a grandparent or parent / step-parent.

in-home care and dementia services carer

Care 24-7’s dementia care service is led by a SPECAL Practitioner trained by the Contented Dementia Trust at their Centre of Excellence at Burford. They are trained to understand the disability of dementia from the perspective of the person with the condition and to deliver coaching to all those who come into contact with them. A SPECAL practitioner can then provide the help needed for that particular person based on what is familiar to them and what matters the most in their life.

Independence

In-home carer and man with dementia

The key to maintaining independence for those living with dementia is an early diagnosis followed by an individual care plan that considers nutrition, physical exercise, and mental stimulation. In-home care allows individuals to maintain as much independence as possible by promoting these 3 factors.

Nutrition: This should include fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods.

Physical Exercise: Light exercise such as walking or Tai Chi can be beneficial.

Mental Stimulation: This can include word games or creating art.

Active senior man with dementia and in-home care

An in-home carer can provide the skills needed to perform tasks and assess their needs based on what stage their dementia is at. The carer ensures there is a good balance between being helpful and supportive whilst allowing your loved one to remain independent for as long as possible.

Personalised Care

In-home care allows for the development of a personalised care plan that is tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual with dementia. In-home care can also reduce the risk of infection, which is especially important for individuals with dementia who may be more susceptible to illness. Personalised care is individualised to meet the specific needs of the person with dementia, and can include:

– Assistance with activities such as meal planning, bathing and dressing.
– Medication management to ensure that the person is taking their medication correctly.
– Safety monitoring to ensure that the person is safe – and secure in their home.
– Assistance with transportation to appointments and other activities.

At Care 24-7, the first step would be to work closely with your loved one to develop a person-centred Individual Care Plan that will take into consideration their wishes and preferences regarding their personal home care needs. This technique easily translates into a set routine for dementia patients who thrive on familiarity and repetition.

Cost-Effective

In-home care is often less expensive than other forms of care, such as assisted living or nursing homes. The cost of in-home care will depend on a number of factors, such as the level of care required and the provider. In-home care can range from a few hours of help per week to around-the-clock care, meaning costs is dependent on the circumstances. Assisted living facilities typically have a set monthly fee which can include room, meals, and various activities and services.

Factors that can affect the cost of care

– The home modifications your loved one needs such as handrails and alarm systems.
– Whether medical or non-medical care is required. Medical includes physical therapy while non-medical includes household duties.

You may be entitled to some level of funding to finance your care needs. Speak to your Local Authority for an assessment of your financial situation and request a “care needs assessment”.

It’s always recommended to consider the specific needs and preferences of the elderly person and your budget. Additionally, it’s important to check if the costs are covered by insurance, as it can help with the expenses. By carefully evaluating the costs and benefits of both options, you will be in a better place to make a good decision.

Family Involvement

Woman with dementia and young girl in-home care

In-home care allows family members to be more involved in the care of their loved ones, which can provide emotional support and peace of mind. With in-home care, families are more confident that their loved one will receive individualised attention and guidance from a seasoned caregiver on matters related to health, nutrition, and activities of daily living.

Additionally, in-home care allows family members to remain actively involved in important aspects of their loved ones’ life, such as interacting with doctors and managing financial items. As peace of mind is essential for seniors and their families alike, in-home care certainly provides that for them.

The above benefits can help with the stress and uncertainty of having a loved one with dementia. They serve to alleviate any worries knowing that help is on-hand from the comfort of their own home.

If you are considering in-home care, contact us today.

Contact Us

Read more of our blogs