At Applewood Our House we believe that every Senior is uniquely different from each other, and deserves personalized care for Alzheimer’s and dementia. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to confronting these disorders.
The numbers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia cases are on the rise, because all of those baby boomers are now senior citizens. Also, better medication, changes in lifestyle, and better quality care are reasons why senior citizens are living much longer.
Once the primary caregiver in your family gets the diagnosis from your loved one’s doctor, it is often a time of frustration, sadness, and panic. Family members need to come together and focus on what is the best care that will help his or her loved one live out their time.
One of the key points in helping an Alzheimer’s or dementia patient is to make certain that they are getting quality care. Whether your loved one remains at home or is relocated to an assisted living facility, especially one that is suited to care for people with a memory impairment, personalized care for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia should be implemented.
Personalized Care for Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Many doctors will tell you that one of the best ways to help with Alzheimer’s patients is to give them individual care. Nobody knows and understands your elderly loved one like you. The second best thing is to entrust the services of a Memory care home that has been through specific training, like the Leaders in Dementia Care training given by the Alzheimer’s Association like we have here at Applewood at both our Lakewood and Golden assisted living homes.
Your family member might be distressed or upset about something that you know he or she does not like. Therefore, it is up to you to be empowered to instruct staff about any potential problems that might arise over something that you know will tick your loved one off.
Here are some other points to keep in mind:
* Photo Albums – You should always have your loved one’s favorite photo albums on hand. First of all, it will bring a smile to his or her face when they recognize familiar faces and places. Second it serves as a way to keep the memory as sharp as a tack.
* Pets – Most Alzheimer’s patients cannot take care of pets by themselves. But if they loved pets before, they will enjoy the company of one. It is a good way to help them relax and relieve stress. At Applewood Our House we have a house dog at both the Lakewood and Golden homes that our residents love and adore.
* Read – Family members know what their loved ones liked to read before. So, it’s a good idea to bring books on favorite subjects to read. You can also read certain sections of magazines and newspapers, depending on what you know they liked to read before.
* Dependency – Remember that personalized care for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients develop a dependency over time. They need companionship and assistance for most things. Try your best to be with them when you can, and when you can’t, ensure that another family member or an assisted living care worker is always checking up on them.
* Enjoy Favorite Activities – If you can recreate some of the activities that your loved one liked before they were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it’s possible that the activities will be received in a more positive way.
Personalized Care for Alzheimer’s – Conclusion
Remember how important it is for personalized care for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia patients. Not only do they need your help, they have earned it and deserve it for all of the years that they were there for other members in your family.
