A senior woman at home with her caregiver
A senior woman at home with her caregiver
A senior woman at home with her caregiver

Dementia Care: Keeping Loved Ones Safe and Happy at Home

Of the 5.8 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, the majority live in their own homes over the course of their illness—even in those in more advanced stages and at end-of life.

And home care isn’t always easier — meeting the complex and ever-changing care needs for people with dementia can be challenging and caregiving often falls on the shoulders of family members and friends. And while caregiving can be rewarding, caregivers can burn out and experience greater health problems themselves, physical and emotional burden, as well as financial strains from lost time at work or from paying out of pocket for care or services, experts warn.

older hands on walker closeup

“The care of dementia is actually the care of two people: the person with the illness and the person taking care of them,” says Johns Hopkins geriatric psychiatrist Deirdre Johnston, M.D. But when Johnston and a team of researchers studied more than 600 Baltimore residents with dementia and their caregivers, they found a staggering 97% to 99% of both groups had unmet dementia-related care needs.

For some, keeping a loved one at home is a personal preference, and for others it may be the only affordable option—in either case, home care can be overwhelming for even the savviest and most experienced caregivers at times. But don’t lose heart: Help and support is out there, for your loved one and for you. Here are some tips that may help:

How do I prepare to give dementia care at home?

Understand and Accept Your Loved One’s Dementia Diagnosis

A dementia diagnosis is difficult on both the patient and their loved ones. For many, a diagnosis is the beginning of a long and uncertain journey. “The road ahead could be difficult, but there are resources and education that can help,” says Suzanne Havrilla, D.P.T., director of home support with Johns Hopkins Home Care Group.

Many families begin their path to acceptance by learning more from Alzheimer's support organizations. These organizations often hold support groups for patients and families affected by dementia. They can also connect families to area practitioners and information. “It’s important to reassure families that patients can have a very good quality of life with this diagnosis,” explains Havrilla. “Once they are accepting of that, it may be easier for the caregivers.”

Equip Your Home with Assistive Devices

Simple fixes, such as grab bars in the bathroom, carpets tacked down to prevent falls, and locked gun closets, guard against accidents that drive people into nursing homes. In one study, Johns Hopkins researchers found that more than 90% of patient needs in those with dementia were home safety-related.

Practice Self-Care

Some caretakers find that caring for a loved one with dementia is like a full-time job. A lot of time, attention and life changes can be needed to ensure the loved one’s needs are met and they are safe.

As with any job, taking time off is needed to maintain health care well-being. As the saying goes, “You cannot pour from an empty cup”, experts recommend that caregivers schedule in opportunities for respite and short breaks, and identify self-care practices that refresh and recharge them. This might include talking with family members to see if they can provide supervision or assistance once a week or might be able to care for your loved one weekend a month. In addition, check out these other method other methods to avoid burnout.

What dementia home care services are available?

Connect with a Dementia Care Coordinator

There are many elements to consider when beginning to care for a loved one with dementia at home. Legal, safety, health and interpersonal changes will need to be made. Dementia care coordinators can help with safety concerns, medical attention, medication management, nutrition support and more. They can be especially helpful when a loved one is dealing with other medical conditions for which they need treatment.

Some care coordinators will conduct an initial assessment to thoroughly check your home and living situation. They will create a list of needs and work with caregivers to address the improvements most impactful to the home environment. Together, dementia care coordinators and caregivers can fix safety concerns or remove possible triggers before they become a problem. “The goal to this type of care is to keep people at home with the highest quality of life for the longest period of time,” explains Havrilla.

As an added bonus, loved ones who have some assistance from care coordinators remain in the home longer. In a Johns Hopkins Maximizing Independence at Home trial, researchers found that patients who were in contact with a care coordinator at least once a month for 18 months were less likely to move out of their home or die compared to those in the control group.

To find dementia care coordination services in your area talk to your doctor or local organizations.

Enroll in Medical Alert Programs

Safety becomes more of a concern as dementia progresses. For peace of mind, consider enrolling in programs that can improve or monitor the safety of people with dementia. Many programs offer medical ID jewelry or 24-hour assistance if a loved one with dementia wanders off or becomes lost. If additional assistance is needed, medical alert services can help by checking in on loved ones and notifying caregivers if there is no response.

Check Elder Care and Dementia Care Services in Your Community

There may be times when caregivers are not able to care for their loved one. If additional help is needed during the day, adult day care centers provide entertainment and care for people with dementia while giving much-needed breaks for their caregivers.

Home services are also available to give you more time in your day. Certified nursing assistants can visit your home to help with medical needs, such as administering medications or caring for wounds. If you need more help, in-home health aides can cover light housekeeping, cooking and other nonmedical needs. Some grocery stores and meal services can also assist by delivering food or meals to your home. Try exploring the options that are available to you.

It’s important to ask your loved one’s doctor or dementia care coordinator for local resources and contacts.

Can I care for my loved one at home through all stages of dementia?

Most people with dementia continue to live at home as their condition progresses—many through end of life. While this may be the experience of many—every individual and family has different needs and preferences—and home care may not be appropriate or the right choice for everyone.

Research shows that with the right supports, people with dementia can live at home longer and with higher quality of life compared to those living at home without coordinated support, and that this support may be most impactful when introduced early. “It’s a preventive model to educate the family to be dementia smart and understand the disease progression and triggers down the road,” Havrilla explains. But if the persons needs exceeds the help that’s available or if it just doesn’t make sense for family’s particular situation, nursing homes and assisted living residences are good alternatives.

What if I need more help with dementia care?

Consider Moving to a 55 and Older or Retirement Community

While adding safety features in your existing home is a good option, another option to consider is moving to a community geared to older residents. While these communities may vary in cost, they often come with features that may help care for a loved one at home. Safety features such as nonslip tubs are already in place, and neighbors may have loved ones in similar situations. Many continuing-care retirement communities include areas that offer higher levels of care as a person’s dementia advances. This allows a more active spouse to live independently on the same campus.

Definitions

Advance-care planning: Usually a living will and durable power of attorney for health care, this pair of documents will help your loved ones and doctors take care of you according to your wishes and values if you cannot make health-care decisions for yourself. Advance-care planning is important for all adults, not just those who are older or who have chronic conditions.

Assisted living: A place for adults to live who do not need full-time nursing care but do need help with everyday tasks, such as dressing, bathing, eating or using the bathroom. Residents often need help due to memory disorders, incontinence or mobility issues. Centers offer a homelike atmosphere, providing meals, housekeeping, laundry, recreational activities, transportation and assistance 24 hours a day.

Caregiving: The assistance family, friends and professionals provide to those who are old, sick or otherwise unable to care for themselves. Caregiving can include buying groceries, cooking meals, cleaning, assistance with bathing or personal care, making and driving someone to medical appointments, dispensing medicine, helping someone get in or out of bed, and more.

Dementia (di-men-sha): A loss of brain function that can be caused by a variety of disorders affecting the brain.

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