Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care in the Comfort of Home
with Dementia Care Specialists
Caring for someone with dementia can feel challenging, but with ComForCare, your loved one can get the support they need in the comfort of their own home. Our caregivers provide flexible, person-centered, in-home care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Browse our resources to find more information, or speak with us anytime by calling (800) 886-4044.
What is Dementia Care?
The simple answer is in the name, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. A better place to start is by asking: what is dementia?
Dementia is a term for a symptom with a variety of ways of manifesting. It’s often used as an interchangeable term for “memory issues” but that’s just one aspect of dementia. It can behave in different ways depending on the person, how their dementia actually affects behavior, the source of the dementia, and what type of dementia they have. The four most common types are:
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD): This happens when a disease damages the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This manifests most commonly as issues with memory, thinking, and language. It can also create significant changes in mood, emotions, and behaviour. If you’ve ever heard someone say that a family member “became a different person” due to dementia, this type is the most likely reason.
Alzheimer’s Disease: This has a lot of symptoms in common with FTD—hearing and sight difficulties are unique to Alzheimer’s—but differs in that it is from one specific disease. It causes buildup of the compounds amyloid and tau in the brain which form plaques and inhibit functioning. Depending on how advanced the disease is, visiting care could be the best answer.
Vascular Dementia: This comes from circulatory issues in the brain which will cause areas to become damaged. It most typically manifests as issues with executive functioning, problem solving, completing tasks involving multiple steps, speed of thought, and concentration. It also can manifest as issues with memory and language.
Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB): This is from a disease that produces Lewy bodies, which are small clumps of proteins that appear in the brain. These clumps block important neurotransmitters and can break connections between nerves. It shares symptoms with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and is often misdiagnosed as one of the two. Someone with this could benefit from specialist dementia care at home.
To come back to the original question. Dementia care is health care services given by professionals that understand these nuances and how to best treat a person experiencing these symptoms.
Can a Dementia Patient Be Cared for At Home?
Yes, absolutely! Within reason, of course. Certain forms of dementia may be too advanced in their disease progression to make it safe for someone to be left alone for long periods of time. In this case, most kinds of in-home care may not be suited to a dementia sufferer’s needs, unless you’re looking for 24-hour, live-in care. In this case, at-home care can still be viable. Even then, it will depend on the level medical intervention someone with dementia will need to lead their healthiest life.
Why Trust ComForCare for Dementia Home Care?
Aside from over 20 years of experience in home care since our founding in 1996, we ensure that all of our care professionals working with adults with dementia go through our tailor-made, in-house DementiaWise® Training Program. We are proud of this educational regimen specifically designed to prepare any partner in care for the unique needs of various kinds of dementia. This program helps support our emphasis on person-centered care—the growing movement in health care that puts a greater emphasis on how health and wellness are highly specific to each person. Additionally, we choose our team members carefully based on their track record in the world of care. If we wouldn’t feel comfortable with someone looking after our loved ones, they don’t make the cut.
Dementia Care FAQ
What is dementia care?
Dementia care is a way of caring for someone diagnosed with, or experiencing the symptoms of, dementia. It may look like other care types, but it uses specific strategies to address symptoms and uplift an individual’s mood. For example, dementia care providers don’t make a point of correcting mistakes in memory whenever possible.
What's memory care in the context of dementia?
Memory care for dementia often focuses on practices that are meant to preserve memory capabilities as much as possible. These may include:
- Tasking a nutritionist to create a brain health focused diet
- Providing brain-stimulating activities, like crosswords and Sudoku puzzles, to encourage brain function
How should one care for individuals affected by dementia?
Often, the care that aging adults with dementia receive is very similar to other aging adults. The main difference is the approach taken, as it uses an in-depth understanding of dementia to consider how it affects an individual’s mindset and abilities. For example, emotional memory is a challenging area, which means individuals may reference events or people that have passed. Letting them reminisce without reminding them of current-day reality supports their quality of life.
What kind of training do care givers for dementia get?
ComForCare has its own specialized training program called DementiaWise®. This program was created to ensure that any of our caregivers, specifically those who work with people with dementia, have the training and knowledge to support them in the best ways possible.
When should someone with dementia consider moving into a dementia care home?
This question is difficult to answer as an individual with dementia may not notice how much they are struggling. Often, family members are the instigators for seeking out professional help. Moreover, a care home isn’t always the right answer. Many individuals are more comfortable with in-home care options, as it minimizes change and maximizes their willingness to receive support.
What type of care is essential for individuals with dementia?
Essential types of care are dependent on the progression of an individual’s dementia symptoms. If short-term memory is a leading symptom, assistance with meal preparation, housekeeping, and medication management is essential. Other individuals may just need transportation assistance, as they are no longer able to drive. As with most care, it depends on the person.
Is it feasible to care for dementia patients at home?
Yes, it is feasible to provide long-term care for dementia patients at home. ComForCare has over two decades of experience providing excellent in-home care, including Alzheimer’s dementia care. Our caregivers provide a wide range of services, including 24/7 care and patient monitoring.
How do I find memory care near me?
We recommend talking to your family doctor about what you or your loved one’s needs are first. Then, we suggest you look online to discover your options and begin reaching out for more information. Set up meetings with the memory care providers that you enjoy and proceed based on your budget, needs, and preferred timeline.
You can contact us! We’d be happy to explain how ComForCare can support you and your loved ones at home.
(800) 886-4044