Being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s often means a lot of changes are to come. Whether somebody is in their 50s, 60s, 70s, or 80s when they are diagnosed, it’s going to be a long, difficult road ahead.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, life expectancy for somebody upon diagnosis is around 8 to 10 years. During those first couple of years, the individual should be able to maintain many of their normal routines. They may only need minimal assistance, most commonly reminders about appointments, and medications to take.
As the disease progresses, however, the changes will start rooting deeper. The memory loss will expand. The individual may even experience physical challenges they hadn’t dealt with previously. This is where Alzheimer’s care becomes so important.
What is home care?
A lot of people assume this means a facility, but it means much more than just that. It can refer to Alzheimer’s care as well. For somebody dealing with Alzheimer’s, Alzheimer’s care is a great asset.
A home care agency can provide experienced caregivers who have exceptional strategies and experience supporting other seniors dealing with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. This can allow the person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s to maximize quality of life, remain safe, and still pursue some of the activities they enjoy.
Why is home care different than family care?
In most cases, people who become family caregivers have never taken on this great responsibility before. They have never done this job. They may not understand all the different strategies and techniques that can be effective.
While this may not be a major concern on the surface, many of these same family members who become caregivers for somebody with dementia look back and see the many mistakes and missed opportunities. That can lead to regret.
While an aging person has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and may still be able to manage most of their daily care, it’s time to talk about Alzheimer’s care.
How can you discuss this topic with someone who has just been diagnosed?
Be direct and upfront. Don’t try to sugarcoat things. The signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s will get tougher. At some point in time, they will need home care, even if a family member, like an adult child, starts by supporting them. It will become overwhelming.
They have to consider the significant memory loss, the physical challenges, the potentially aggressive behaviors, Sundowner’s syndrome, and so much more. They may not understand most of this right now because they feel fine, but they need to make decisions on what they want for their future.
Most seniors prefer to age in place, which means remaining in the home they’ve lived in for quite some time. Home care is the only elder care option that can allow them to do precisely that.
The sooner you start talking about this, the sooner decisions can be made for the future, and that means the sooner you will know precisely what this aging loved one wants for their future.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Care in Mineola, TX, please contact the caring staff at Clear Path Home Care today at (888) 740-7023
Clear Path Home Care provides compassionate, high-quality home care in Wood County, Dallas County, Rockwall County, Kaufman County, Van Zandt County, Rains County, Henderson County, Navarro County, and Ellis County in Texas.
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