Preparing for a Loved One’s Late-Stage Alzheimer’s Care
Watching a loved one suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease or any type of dementia can cause feelings of heartbreak, frustration and hopelessness. Once your loved one has received a dementia diagnosis, though, the best thing you can do is prepare for the future. Thinking about late-stage care is difficult but important. Financial, emotional and health considerations can all weigh heavily on the decision to keep your loved one at home or not.
Memory Care
If your loved one’s disease has progressed to the point where he or she can no longer safely live at home, especially if you live in the western United States, consider a memory care Denver facility. Although full-service care can be expensive, your loved one will be completely cared for in a secure facility that provides meals, companionship, activities and, most importantly, safety.
Home Care
While remaining at home to battle the disease offers an Alzheimer’s patient the benefits of comfort and familiar surroundings, it places an immense burden on the caretaker. As the disease progresses, the patient will likely become unable to perform simple activities such as bathing and preparing meals. Other basic skills like walking or standing become difficult, and your family member may begin to wander. Keeping your loved one at home may mean creating a handicapped-accessible space and securing doors at night.
Home Care with Home Health Assistance
If you choose to keep a loved one at home, many options exist to offer relief and assistance. Enlist a companion to sit with your family member while you get out to shop, run errands or visit with friends. Or, for more complex tasks like help with bathing or help with some medical tasks, hire home health aides or even skilled nurses to take on the duties that may be too nerve-wracking or too physically involved for your comfort level.
No matter which type of Alzheimer’s care makes the most sense for your family, the best way to prepare for the future is to research care options early. Having a plan in place can make stressful transitions a little easier to navigate.
