The possibility that one’s parents or spouse may be developing symptoms of dementia is a scary prospect. It could even happen to yourself! Roughly 50 million people worldwide have dementia, with 5-8% of the population aged 60 and above being diagnosed with dementia at any given time. Dementia does not just affect the patient, but also poses new challenges to his or her family and friends as they adapt to these changes. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s may be difficult to manage as they may occur at random times. This may be made even more complicated if patients suffer from other medical conditions. If you are looking for affordable care options for Alzheimer’s patients, here are the top three you or your loved ones can consider.
Trained Caregivers
Home care is one solution to supporting patients with Alzheimer’s. Trained caregivers can come to your home and even stay there to look after your family members and help them adjust through the challenges of their condition. Often, this may be preferred because your loved ones will not need to move out of their home to receive the care they need, and it may even help them deal with disorientation as their memory condition deteriorates.
Skilled caregivers understand best how to interact with their patients and keep them engaged. This can be invaluable in getting them to eat or in trying to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. They can also offer valuable advice on making homes safer and creating a hazard-free environment. The main concern of hiring a caregiver is that they may be more expensive, especially if a full-time caregiver is required.
Adult Day Center
An adult day center is another alternative for individuals who want to keep their family members at home. Your loved ones can be dropped off at the day center whilst the main caregiver is at work before taking him or her home afterwards. This can be a good solution if you’re looking for a space where your family members can socialize and have fun whilst you are able to focus on your career and social life worry-free. However, it is important to note that most adult day centers only run during the day, which means that this may not be the best option if the caregiver works extremely long hours or has night shifts.
Memory Care
The final alternative is to move your loved ones out of their homes and place them in a full-time memory care program. Whilst the idea may be scary for both you and your loved ones, you’ll find that most memory care programs are professional and nurturing environments that are highly specialized and able to give your family members the respect and attention they deserve. You may want to consider a memory care program like SHINE® Memory Care. At Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley, our award winning SHINE® program is renowned nationwide for its scientifically proven methods of supporting and caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. We believe in focusing on promoting the autonomy, self-esteem, and confidence of our residents through memory related programs and a safe, social environment. Contact us to find out more about our affordable memory care program and what we can do for you.
