A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is life-altering for the person receiving the diagnosis, but also for everyone who loves that person. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive illness, which means that it gradually worsens over time. The condition presents unique challenges for family caregivers and for the people who are diagnosed with it. Alzheimer’s care providers can be a huge help for the entire family.
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a cognitive illness that affects memory, thinking, moods, and behaviors. Family caregivers need to learn as much as possible about Alzheimer’s disease, how it progresses, and what the symptoms are. This helps them to anticipate the changes that are coming their way and put plans in place now for the future.
Planning for the Future with Alzheimer’s Disease
Once a senior is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s absolutely vital to start planning for the future. There are lots of different legal and financial preparations to make, and it’s important to consult with experts in those areas to get the best advice. It’s also important to talk to the person who has Alzheimer’s disease about what they want in terms of future care. Having that information now is going to help inform care later on.
Accessing Resources and Support
This is not a situation to try to soldier through alone. Having help from a full range of sources is crucial for success. Alzheimer’s care providers are incredibly helpful, as are support groups and national organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association. Family members, friends, and healthcare professionals can also be valuable sources of support.
Putting Together an Alzheimer’s Care Team
A care team is something that family caregivers often wait to put together. But the sooner that families embrace getting hands-on support from home care services and other sources, the better. Having a variety of hands-on assistance helps family caregivers to delegate and divide up tasks instead of handling everything all on their own.
Prioritizing Safety Measures
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, safety becomes an even bigger concern. Wandering can become an issue, as can increasing problems with memory issues. Seniors may quickly become unable to do things they’ve done for decades, like driving. Having elder care providers there to help boosts safety for seniors and offers solutions like transportation help and companionship.
Embracing Flexibility
Caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease is not an easy thing to do. There’s a lot that can change with no warning, so being as flexible and adaptable as possible is essential. When family caregivers are able to roll with the punches more readily, that helps them to reduce their own stress levels.
Self-care for Family Caregivers
One of the problems that family caregivers encounter after a senior is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease is that their stress levels skyrocket and they neglect self-care. Failing to take care of themselves properly just makes it more difficult to be a family caregiver, though. Leaning on support from home care providers allows family caregivers to take time away when they need it.
Family caregivers have a big job ahead of them after a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Luckily, options like Alzheimer’s care services can be exactly the right answer from the very beginning.
If you are considering Alzheimer’s care in Houston, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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