At Assisting Hands Home Care, we ensure that dementia patients get the care they need in their homes with our Alzheimer’s and dementia care services in Chicago, IL. Our caregivers have experience providing home care for dementia patients and will cover their personal care needs while also managing the common behaviors of dementia patients to keep them safe and comfortable at home.
Alzheimer’s disease and various forms of dementia are prevalent among the elderly population, affecting over 5 million seniors in the United States. Initial symptoms typically manifest as short-term memory loss, but gradually progress over time. As the condition advances, individuals with dementia will require ongoing care as they lose the ability to effectively take care of themselves.
Dementia Care in Chicago, IL
Assisting Hands Home Care provides Alzheimer’s and dementia care services in Chicago, IL and the northside neighborhoods to help seniors affected by all forms of dementia live safely at home. Our memory care starts with an in-home visit so we can assess the condition of your loved ones as well as their care needs. We then create a personalized care plan to accommodate their care needs, and we will also engage them in activities that will help keep their minds stimulated.
In-home memory care is beneficial for dementia patients as the familiar surroundings can help to manage common symptoms like mood swings and agitation. Our skilled dementia caregivers provide personalized care to alleviate symptoms and ensure the safety of dementia patients in their own homes.
Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia
While the terms “Alzheimer’s disease” and “dementia” are often used interchangeably, they refer to different things. Dementia is a broad term for any condition that causes cognitive and memory decline, while Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, making up 60 to 80 percent of all cases.
All forms of dementia are progressive diseases, which means that the symptoms continue to get worse over time. Early signs may include short-term memory loss, which can be mistaken for normal aging. Providing your loved ones with dementia with the proper care from trained caregivers is crucial for ensuring a better quality of life. It is important to recognize the early symptoms of dementia in your elderly loved ones so you can ensure that they get the care they need as soon as possible.
The following are the main signs of dementia:
- Forgetfulness: Forgetfulness and problems with short-term memory are a common sign of aging and may be dismissed as a sign of dementia. However, consistent memory issues could indicate the onset of dementia.
- Wandering: Wandering is a common dementia behavior as those affected generally wander out of confusion. This can be dangerous for seniors who are prone to falling or those who may leave their homes.
- Agitation: Dementia patients experience outbursts of agitation and mood swings as they become frustrated by their limitations.
- Incontinence: The loss of bodily control happens in later stages of dementia which can lead to issues like incontinence.
Memory Care from Assisting Hands
We start our dementia and Alzheimer’s care services by conducting an assessment of your loved one’s condition and care requirements. The care plan is tailored to their individual needs and can be adjusted as their condition changes. Our caregivers use positive reinforcement to temper mood swings and agitation, and we can engage your loved ones in activities that help stimulate their minds and memory.
Our dementia care services include the following:
- Companionship: Dementia patients benefit from routines and seeing familiar faces. Our caregiver will be a companion for your loved one and become a friendly familiar face who they can trust.
- Personal care: Those with dementia may have difficulty with self-care tasks such as bathing and dressing. Our caregivers can help your loved ones with activities of daily living (ADLs) including bathing, dressing, transferring, eating, and toileting.
- Medication reminders: We can provide medication reminders to make sure that your loved ones never forget to take their medications.
- Meal preparation: It is dangerous for seniors with dementia to attempt to cook their food. Our caregivers can prepare meals for your loved ones while accommodating their dietary restrictions.
- Wandering: If your loved ones begin to wander, our professional caregivers will make sure they wander around their home safely by ensuring that their path is clear of trip hazards and that they do not leave the home.
Call Assisting Hands Home Care for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care in Chicago, IL
You can get started with our dementia care services by scheduling a complimentary in-home assessment. This evaluation helps us understand your loved one’s specific needs and create a personalized care plan. Our caregivers are committed to providing the support necessary for your loved ones to remain safe and content in their own homes.
For more information about our Alzheimer’s and dementia care services in Chicago, IL, give us a call at (312) 548-3690.
