Caring for a loved one with dementia can feel impossible for families as their loved one’s disease progresses, but choosing a live-in care service such as Home to Stay could make all the difference. Our specially trained caregivers provide around-the-clock support and companionship to individuals living with dementia in the comfort of their own homes, improving overall health outcomes and reducing potential hospitalizations. At Home to Stay, we believe that your loved one can live a safe and meaningful life even with this debilitating disease.
The Impact of Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias on Health and Hospitalizations
Common health issues associated with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia include cognitive decline, memory loss, difficulty with daily activities, weakened immune system, behavioral changes, and communication problems. These problems often result in complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, infections (most commonly upper respiratory infections and urinary tract infections), falls leading to fractures or head injuries, and medication mismanagement – all of these issues can lead to emergency medical center visits.
Hospitalization is twice as common in older persons with dementia than without, and in many cases is avoidable. In fact, in the United States, between 20 and 40% of hospitalizations of persons at any stage of dementia are potentially avoidable, either because hospital-level care is unnecessary or inconsistent with preferences. On top of this, a hospital visit can be traumatic for the patient, and treatment decisions are often made during a hospital stay, which is not optimal due to the discontinuity of care, unfamiliar providers, and pressures for timely discharge.
Ultimately, for the majority of dementia patients whose primary goal is comfort, hospitalization is usually not ideal. In most cases, the drawbacks of a visit to the hospital exceed the benefits and should be avoided whenever possible, with only a few exceptions. Consider turning to an experienced live-in Alzheimer’s and dementia care provider for better health outcomes and reduced hospitalizations for your aging loved one.
Benefits of Live-In Dementia Care
Live-in dementia care offers a multitude of benefits that cater to the unique needs of individuals living with this challenging condition:
Continuous monitoring: enables early detection of health issues and reduces the likelihood of emergency hospital visits. With around-the-clock supervision, caregivers can closely monitor changes in the patient’s health status and intervene promptly when necessary.
Personalized care plans: help manage dementia symptoms and prevent complications. By tailoring care strategies to meet the specific needs of each individual, live-in caregivers can provide targeted support that enhances overall well-being.
Enhanced safety: reduces the risk of accidents and injuries at home. Caregivers are trained to assess the environment for potential risks such as loose rugs, cluttered walkways, or slippery surfaces, making necessary modifications to create a safer living space. Additionally, caregivers can assist with mobility and transferring tasks, minimizing the likelihood of falls or other accidents occurring.
Emotional support: the challenges presented by dementia require a level of understanding and patience that only an empathetic caregiver can provide. One-on-one companionship helps to create a sense of security and stability for these individuals through active listening, compassionate communication, and tailored interventions. The positive impact of such emotional support has been shown to enhance cognitive function, reduce agitation, alleviate depressive symptoms, and improve overall quality of life.
Save money: Live-in dementia caregivers offer flat rates, only paying for additional care as needed. This gives families peace of mind regarding finances knowing exactly what their expenses are. Also, reducing unnecessary hospital visits minimizes the financial burden of additional medical bills as potential health issues can be addressed more promptly and effectively with a professional caretaker.
Home to Stay’s Memory Care Services
Home to Stay is New Jersey’s ONLY certified provider of the AlzBetter method of in-home dementia care for seniors. AlzBetter is an award-winning care program specifically created to help keep people living with any type of dementia in their homes, including but not limited to Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia (LBD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and vascular dementia.
Our AlzBetter-certified caregivers complete thorough training to understand how to effectively communicate with individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, how to handle behavioral changes that commonly arise, and which care techniques allow patients to keep their independence.
By creating a predictable day filled with essential tasks required for daily living and meaningful activities that match each individual’s interests and current level of dementia, our clients can live much happier and more fulfilled lives in the comfort of their own homes. The experienced live-in dementia caregivers at Home to Stay can also provide:
- Respite for family caregivers
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, grooming, and hygiene
- Medication reminders
- Transportation services
- Chores, light housekeeping, and errand running
Think our services can help you and your loved ones? Contact us today for all your live-in dementia care needs in South and Central Jersey.
