Home Aides

- What Is It?

Home aides visit a patient’s home and assist with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and preparing food. Those with more progressed forms of memory impairment may prefer a home health aide, who typically has more medical training and can perform healthcare-related tasks in addition to the services provided by home aides.

- Who Is It Best For?

Home aides are excellent for patients who are still able to live in their own home but need help completing basic tasks on a daily basis. Many patients might live with a family member or caregiver who still has their own job and isn’t available to attend to all of a patient’s needs on a daily basis.

- Pros:

1. The patient is still able to live at home

2. They receive professional care from trained staff

3. Care can be flexible depending on the needs of the patient and other caregivers

- Cons:

1. Care is limited – most home aides are only available for a certain amount of time on a set schedule each day.

2. Lack of emergency resources if the patient has a serious medical event

3. The patient might feel isolated if housebound at all times

Adult Day Care

- What Is It?

Adult day care is a place where caregivers can leave their loved ones who need supervision during the day while they work or take care of other obligations. Care is typically limited to daytime hours; overnight or long-term care is not available with adult day care.

- Who Is It Best For?

This is an excellent option for those with Alzheimer’s who live with a caregiver or family member who still works full or part-time and cannot be with their loved one all day. Most people do best in adult day care when they are still comfortable traveling outside of their home and socializing with others.

- Pros:

1. Allows caregivers to continue working while giving their loved ones care

2. Provides valuable social interaction

3. Patients are with trained staff for the course of the day

- Cons:

1. Caregivers often need to provide transportation to and from the daycare facility

2. Patients with advanced dementia may have difficulty with a changing environment

Respite Care

- What Is It?

Respite care allows caregivers to take a break from their caregiving duties while the person with dementia still receives the care they need. Respite care can be provided at home by a professional, a volunteer, or a family member or it can be provided at a facility outside the home. Many caregivers use respite care while traveling, or when they simply are feeling overwhelmed and need assistance with their caregiving duties.

- Who’s Is It Best For?

Respite care is a perfect option for patients who have caregivers that need a break from their duties. Caregivers need to relax, engage in other activities and take time for themselves so that they can continue to care for the patient without getting burnt out.

-Pros:

Allows caregivers to take much needed time for themselves

Patients can have valuable social interactions with other people

Patients are safe with a skilled caregiver

Flexible options so patients can receive care in their home or at another facility

- Cons:

1. May be difficult to coordinate respite care on short notice

2. Caregivers may need to provide transportation to and from a facility

Memory Care

- What Is It?

Residential memory care is for patients who can not live at home and need around the clock care. There, patients will be monitored by trained medical staff and receive individualized care. Services provided in residential memory care facilities include assistance with activities of daily living, meal service, and medical care.

- Who Is It Best For?

Residential memory care is best for dementia patients in the later stages of the disease who need around the clock care and are no longer able to live in their own homes. These facilities provide the highest level of care of any memory care option.

- Pros:

1. Patients receive professional care from a staff that understands dementia

2. Patients have their meals prepared for them

3. Facilities often schedule activities and outing for patients who are able to attend

4. Residential facilities provide around-the-clock care

- Cons:

1. Can be costly

2. Caregivers are not as involved in their loved ones care

3. Residents have less freedom than living at home or other senior care facilities, so it should only be used by those who can no longer function outside of     a memory care facility