In this modern era, most families with seniors diagnosed of Alzheimer’s or another kind of dementia diagnoses would consider moving them into a skilled nursing or assisted living facility to enable them receive constant care where quality and compassionate care is lacking. Whereas, fewer families would consider it an option to allow their aging parents reside at home, which makes it more challenging especially when they live alone with no one keeping an eye. What do you think? Would you take that route if you were in that situation?
Going by recent statistics, approximately 1 out of every 4 American families will have to consider moving an aging loved one with dementia into a home. It is estimated that about 15 million older adults are currently living at home alone- 33% of this population have been diagnosed with dementia while 15% have Alzheimer’s disease. To make situation more worrisome, about more than half of these adults are not just living alone, but has no one providing care and support.
Some of the numerous concerns or risks associated with having an aging loved one with dementia live alone include the following and many more:
- Risks for falls and trauma
- Inability to effectively manage activities of daily living on their own, for example incontinence care, meals preparation and feeding, personal hygiene, grooming and household management.
- Depression and suicidal thoughts
- Drug overdose or improper administering of medication.
- Lack of someone to talk to and companionship
- Fear of exploitation or abuse
However, it is very imperative for us to remember that keeping our aging seniors at home or an in an environment they are familiar with helps in providing numerous positive benefits, including:
- The possibility of preventing agitation, aggressive behaviors and frustrations
- The ability to maintain regular routines, making it very stress free to navigate
- The ability to continuously see faces of loved ones and family, thereby helping with their memory recovery
- Helps in developing that sense of belonging and ownership to properties when they live in their own home
- The ability to remain where they are familiar with helps prevent wandering
The only practical way in earning these benefits is by introducing a specially trained dementia caregiver who can deliver the ideal and required quality of care and support to promote the much-needed independence as possible and at the same time making sure safety and well-being is not compromised.
The problem often is that most families would prefer to integrate a caregiver very late in the life of their aging loved one with dementia, making it more difficult for they loved one to comprehend and follow the routine subsequently. However, getting a caregiver as soon as diagnoses have been made can go a long way in helping our aging parents navigate life effectively as dementia progresses. Having said that, the sooner you can integrate a dementia caregiver into the life of an aging adult with dementia, the better.
Our specially trained caregivers at Amazing Support Home Care have been making it possible for seniors to live independently with dementia by providing the physical activity, mental stimulation, safe living environment, social interaction, and encouragement to remain physically active which all result in a much better quality of life.
If you are in need of senior care or knows someone that needs the services in Southern California or the surrounding areas, call us at (909) 716-5493 or visit us online www.amazingsupporthomecare.com for a complimentary consultation to find out how we can help someone you love continue to live where they enjoy most- at home