Different Types Of Care Options For Someone Suffering From Alzheimer’s

The effect of Alzheimer’s varies from patient to patient. But, what is same for everyone is the fact that the condition can worsen over time and patients will eventually require care around the clock, which highlights the importance of planning for their care and well-being soon after diagnosis. Someone suffering from Alzheimer’s could turn aggressive, incontinent, and may lose ability to perform daily tasks on their own. Their safety might also be at stake as your loved ones may also tend to wander a lot.

Alzheimer’s care options depend on several factors, such as families often choose home care in the initial phase of the disease, but as the disease progresses, assisted living care may be necessary so that your loved one receives total care he or she will need. We are rounding up the different care options for your loved ones and how each one will benefit the well-being of the patient.

Let us start with the residential care options:

Assisted Living– Assisted living might deliver the right amount of support for individuals who need assistance with day-to-day tasks, such as dressing, bathing, preparing meals, etc. but doesn’t require skilled medical care yet. Assisted living facilities, such as Anthem Senior Living in Phoenix, AZ offer housing (furnished suites), supportive services and a round-the-clock support team. Besides that, health care (medication management), housekeeping, laundry, recreational services, etc. are also some of our senior friendly services.

Hospice Care– The primary purpose of a hospice is to manage pain and symptoms during the last few months of someone’s life. This form of care is designed to offer supportive care to people who are in the final phase of a terminal illness. A hospice can be a good place for someone to get the special care required to live comfortably and without any pain in the hands of specially trained individuals ranging from doctors, nurses to counselors, social workers, volunteers, etc. This provider also offers support to the family of Alzheimer’s patients.

Nursing Homes– Only if you require skilled nursing care, should you consider this option. Choose a place that has a team well-trained in handling the special needs of Alzheimer’s patients.

When Alzheimer’s is still in its initial phase, keeping family members at home is often the most common option, but at the same time it brings with it a lot of stress and huge challenges for caregivers. Some of the home care resources that caregivers can turn to include

1. Respite Care– This care service offers in-home care for family members who need supervision in the absence of a primary caregiver.
2. Geriatric Care Management– This is also known as elder care management where a geriatric care manager is assigned with the task of taking care of family members with Alzheimer’s through day-to-day care giving.

The different factors that should be considered before deciding on which Alzheimer’s care option to go with includes how advance the disease is, finances (your budget), location, other health concerns of the patients, etc. It’s advisable that you talk with your loved one, ask other family members for their inputs before arriving at a decision.