Enjoying the Comforts of Home

If you have a relative who is starting to show the signs of dementia, you are probably pretty worried about them staying in their home alone. After all, mental and cognitive decline can happen at a rapid speed, and you want someone to be looking after their condition and making sure they don't get hurt. At the same time, your loved one might be adamant about staying put in their own home. Is this a viable option? It truly depends, but here is some information to help you decide. 

Early Dementia Can Be Monitored with In-Home Senior Care

In the early stages of dementia, when there are only moderate signs of cognitive decline, living at home is a fine solution. In some cases, it's better to leave a senior at home where they feel comfortable. Moving someone to assisted living without cause can bring up a lot of emotion and be confusing or disruptive, which may actually worsen the symptoms of dementia. 

What Kind of Care Is Needed?

Speak with a geriatric specialist to determine what kind of care is needed. If the person has extensive medical needs, a daily visit from a skilled nurse could be the best way to keep the senior at home. That nurse will also have an ongoing record of vitals as well as behavior patterns, which allows them to make a judgement call if the loved one is no longer safe to live at home alone. 

Companions are important for those who have the early signs of dementia. The mental and social stimulation is critical to keeping your loved one's mind on track. Perhaps that company can be provided by a peer who lives close by or a volunteer. But another option for in-home senior care is home care aides. They are the people who run errands for senior and keep their home lives in order, providing meals and helping keep the apartment clean. They might visit once per week or once per day to check up on your loved one. 

When Is a Switch to Nursing Care or Assisted Living Needed?

If you have the right in-home senior care such as Seniors Helping Seniors working with your loved one, they can let you know when they think your relative needs to be placed in more comprehensive care. They are trained to keep their elderly clients safe, emotionally and physically. Past a certain tipping point, continuous care is needed for dementia, so keep in communication with your care providers.