Alzheimer’s is a progressive, neurological disorder, very commonly known to affect the elderly. One of the most common forms of dementia, Alzheimer’s causes a decline in memory to an extent where it leaves the afflicted person incapable of continuing a conversation.
Towards the later stages, patients suffer from significant mood swings, complete loss of cognitive abilities, hallucinations, incapability of combined muscle movements, loss of coherence and appetite.
Since there is no cure, patients need specialized assistance for as long as they live. The need for constant attention often compels caregivers at home to admit their Alzheimer’s afflicted loved one to a special caregiving centre or a nursing home. However, there have evolved facilities that voluntarily take off the responsibility from one’s shoulders, making it possible for Alzheimer’s patients to stay close to their families and have their care optimized.
Living At Home Made Possible
Constantly catering to the requirements of your loved one can often take a toll on your own well-being. Understanding the gravity of the situation, many medical and non-medical in-home care services have come forward to extend a helping hand.
While the medical in-home services impart improved healthcare through licensed individuals, the non-medical ones like senior care companions deal with assistance in personal grooming, performing daily tasks, and socializing. To find out everything you need to know about home care for Alzheimer’s, click here.
Availing of such dynamic caregiving services will always keep you assured about your loved one being in safe hands. It will also leave you a little window to relax and recreate when you want. Moreover, you will always have someone to back you up in times when your loved one with Alzheimer’s undergoes severe mood swings, exhibits unusual behaviour, and is too tough to handle.
Living At Home – A Better Option?
Although patients with Alzheimer’s are conventionally sent to care homes to avoid any form of negligence, they need all the more love, care, and affection, as they begin to progress with the disease. No matter how specialized the care they get, nothing can match the therapeutic effects of being with their loved ones.
When they live at home, they will always stay around people, things, and places they have been used to. This goes a long way in constantly digging up memories and exercising their brain to reminisce about certain events. Experts say that cognitive decline slows down for patients who stay close to their families. Needless to say that being at their own place prevents the confusion and anxiety that they would otherwise have when shifted to a care home.
Additionally, keeping Alzheimer’s patients at home gives them a certain level of independence to follow their own routines, see the people they bond well with and indulge in ways they like. This significantly contributes to reducing the extent of anxiety and mood swings as compared to the uniform, structured living in care centres.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s doesn’t only affect one person, it affects the family and friends as well. It is no news that we want the best for our loved ones. So be it keeping them close to us or sending them away, we do it to help them in the best possible way. Since the disease leaves one incapable of performing routine tasks and goes as far as dialling down their senses, assisted living has always been the safer option.
But if the thought makes you uneasy and you just can’t stay without your loved one, then know that there is always a door open for you. Hopefully, this article gave you sufficient insight into the fact that Alzheimer’s patients can comfortably live at home.
