Caring for a loved one with dementia takes patience, understanding and a focus on the person’s needs. How do you know when additional help is needed?
The truth is, if you’re thinking about it, it might be time. The good news is, you have some good options when seeking help. Two such options include adult day care and in-home care.
Option 1: Adult day care
Senior day care for dementia patients is a structured daytime program that provides care and supervision for individuals in a group setting. It’s designed to offer a safe, engaging environment where your loved one can socialize, receive medical or personal care, and take part in mentally stimulating activities while giving you a much-needed break.
Adult day care for dementia patients allows for socialization and engagement with peers, which significantly reduces isolation. Trained staff provide therapeutic activities like memory games, music therapy and light exercise when appropriate, and often provide nutritious meals and snacks.
This is a terrific option for care plans for dementia sufferers who are in the early- to mid-stages of the disease and would benefit from social interaction and routine. This is a great opportunity for you, the caregiver, to take a temporary break from your caregiving responsibilities, whether you use that time to work, rest or recharge.
Option 2: In-home care
Compared to adult day care for dementia, in-home care is a much more personalized approach to care, as it’s given in a one-to-one setting rather than a group setting. There are many levels of in-home care available, and they vary based on individual needs.
One You Love Homecare offers the following levels of care for anywhere from four to 24 hours:
- Companion Care: Focusing primarily on basic social life and activities of daily living, Companion Care offers a wide range of care services.
- Personal Care: Personal Care Services are provided by a trained caregiver who can do everything included in the Companion Care Services plus other care needs that require more personalized interactions.
- Live-in Care: A full program of senior care services that provides 24-hour dementia care at home, Live-in Care offers comprehensive care planning that starts with the needs of your loved one today and changes as needs evolve. If live-in care is needed, live-in caregivers can remain in the home to provide care during the day and provide continuity throughout the week.
Personalized assistance with basic needs like bathing, dressing and grooming, medication reminders and assistance and some help around the house with things like vacuuming, laundry and dishes are all key features of in-home care. Additionally, in-home care offers companionship and flexible scheduling. To that point, services can range from a few hours a week to live-in care and is based around your loved one’s needs.
In-home care is best for moderate to advanced dementia and for those who are more comfortable in their own homes, especially when mobility is an issue or when patients become confused in unknown environments.
Questions to ask yourself when deciding between the two
So you’ve read this far … now what? Keep in mind, when trying to determine the right path forward, there are some good questions to ask yourself. They can help point you in the right direction:
- What stage of dementia is your loved one in?
- Do they thrive in social settings or prefer solitude?
- How much hands-on help is needed with daily tasks?
Get your loved one the care they need
As a caregiver, chances are you could really use some help. Caring for someone with dementia is a big job, no matter what level of care is involved. Adult day care and in-home care services offer their own set of benefits and can be helpful in caring for loved ones with dementia, both separately and working together, as they can really complement each other. In fact, combining the two can offer respite for caregivers and ensure a continuity of care for the person with dementia. For example, someone with dementia may attend adult day care for a few hours weekly for the social benefits, while in-home care provides assistance with personal care and household tasks at home on other days. Contact us to determine if in-home care is the right path forward for your loved one with dementia. We’re here to help you make the right choice for your family.