Ask the Helpline – Alzheimer’s Disease
November is National Family Caregiver Month as well as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month…in honor of that, this Ask the Helpline segment deals with caring for your loved one at home.
This column is one of a regular series in which our Program Services team answers our constituents’ frequently asked questions. In this issue, we hear from Kristen Resendiz, Helpline Manager.
I need help caring for my loved one with dementia at home, what are my options?
Caring for a loved one with dementia at home can be challenging. A person with dementia’s care needs change at different stages of the disease and each family’s situation is unique. It is normal for you to need some assistance from time to time or on a long-term basis. Taking a break from caregiving allows for a change in environment, time to relax, and/or time to engage in self-care.
Assistance with caring for your loved one in the home can be achieved through Adult Day Services, In-Home Care Services, and/or informal assistance from family members, friends, neighbors, or volunteers from the community. Using these services can support and strengthen your ability to be a caregiver.
Adult Day Services
Adult Day Services are provided outside of the home and are designed to meet the person with dementia’s needs, support his/her abilities and independence and provide the opportunity to interact with others. Adult Day Centers may provide a variety of services that can include: Counseling, Health Services, Nutrition, Personal Care, Activities, Behavior Management, Therapy, and Dementia Specific Services.
Adult Day Services are generally most appropriate for individuals in the early to middle stages of the disease however there are some programs that can work with individuals throughout their disease progression. Participating in Adult Day Services outside of the home give the person with dementia the opportunity to engage with other’s as well as the opportunity to get out of the house to participate in enjoyable activities in a safe and social environment.
In-Home Care Services
In-Home Care Services are provided inside of the home. In-Home Care can include: Companionship, Personal Care, Homemaking/Housekeeping, and Skilled Care Services. Each In-Home Care agency will work with you to ensure that your loved one’s care needs are met.
In-Home Care Services are ideal if leaving the home is an obstacle for the person with dementia. In-Home Care Agencies often have large service areas, especially in rural areas, so even if an agency is not located near the person with dementia they may still serve their area. In-Home Care Services allow the person with dementia the opportunity to receive services in a familiar environment and allow for care and interaction from someone other than the primary caregiver.
Informal Assistance
Again, every family situation is different, but sometimes a family member, close friend, neighbor, or volunteer is willing to occasionally help out. Take these people up on their offers and don’t feel guilty for asking for help. Sometimes people don’t know how they can help, so let them know!
Volunteer Caregiver Services may also be available in your community. This may be available through a faith-based organization, such as a local church, or though a Volunteer Caregiving Agency. For example, the National Volunteer Caregiving Network (http://www.nvcnetwork.org/) lists Volunteer Caregiving Organizations throughout the nation. Visit their website to see if there is a Volunteer Caregiving Agency that serves your loved one’s area.
If financing for these types of services is an issue and there are no informal volunteer services available to you check with each Adult Day Center or In-Home Care Agency to see if scholarships or sliding scale fees are available.
There may also be government assistance available to your loved one with dementia. For example, the Illinois Department on Aging offers a program called the Community Care Program which offers financial assistance to those who qualify for community based services such as Adult Day Care and In-Home Care. You can visit: http://www.state.il.us/aging/ or call the Illinois Department on Aging Senior Helpline at 800.252.8966 to learn more about this program.
Choosing an Adult Day Center or In-Home Care Agency can be overwhelming. The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline (800.272.3900) is available to assist you in determining which type of care is best for your loved one and how to go about choosing a service that will best meet your loved one’s activity level and care needs. Our Helpline staff can provide referrals for Adult Day Centers and/or In-Home Care Agencies that serve your loved ones area. You can also learn more about and locate referrals for these services by visiting our website.
http://www.optimumseniorcare.com/services/alzheimerscare.php