Alzheimer’s Care

Some people prefer to do things on their own. They may have a ‘loner’ mentality, in which they prefer to struggle to do things on their own rather than asking for help. There may be a number of reasons why somebody refuses to ask for help, but when they have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, help is definitely going to be needed at some point in time.

Alzheimer’s care can come in many forms. Numerous family members may step up to help the elderly individual as much as they can. It’s a noble gesture, but is it the right one?

During the earliest stages of the disease, usually shortly after or around the time of diagnosis, the memory loss and other signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are generally minor. They don’t impact daily life tremendously, at least not to the point where seniors can’t do things on their own. As a result, many people don’t even bring up the topic of professional care at home.

As the disease continues to progress, though, the memory loss and other symptoms are going to make it much more difficult to live independently. If the senior relies on a spouse, such as a husband or wife, that may seem like a reasonable solution, but it generally places an increased amount of pressure and stress on that person’s life. If the spouse is elderly as well, it can be an incredibly difficult situation to endure for them, even though they may feel it’s their responsibility to do so.

Loners have a tendency to take care of themselves and not ask for help, even when it’s necessary. That may seem like a noble thing to them at the time, but when those symptoms become so severe that it affects their safety, their ability to get things done, that’s when it becomes a problem.

Hiring an experienced Alzheimer’s care provider at that time will likely be just about the only option left, but it may not provide the type of comfort the senior could get.

Relying on an experienced caregiver as early as possible can help bring comfort to an individual later on when they don’t recognize the people around them, are confused about what date it is, the year, or their surroundings. It’s great to want to take care of yourself, but for somebody with Alzheimer’s it’s essential to consider the long-term aspects of the disease and how it may impact those around them.

Recognizing When Additional Alzheimer’s Care May Be Needed

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, family caregivers often find that providing care alone becomes increasingly difficult. Changes in memory, behavior, mobility, and personal care needs may require additional support to help both the individual and their family maintain the best possible quality of life.

If you are beginning to wonder whether it’s time to seek professional help, our Reasons to Choose Elder Care for Your Parents article discusses common situations where experienced care can benefit both seniors and their families.

Professional Care Options

Many families are able to extend independence by using our In-Home Care services, which provide assistance while allowing seniors to remain in familiar surroundings.

As care needs become more advanced, our Residential Care with Dementia resource explains specialized memory care options that provide increased supervision and support.

Supporting Family Caregivers

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can place significant emotional and physical demands on spouses and adult children. If you are balancing caregiving with work and family responsibilities, read our Are You in the Sandwich Generation? article for practical guidance.

You may also benefit from listening to our Value of Respite Care to Help a Stressed Caregiver interview, which explains how respite care can help prevent caregiver burnout.