As a large demographic of Americans are aging, the nation faces an increasing need for solutions to care for their older loved ones. For some families, the only acceptable way to provide the best quality of life lies in keeping their loved one at home as long as possible. While many have considered keeping senior parents at home, the decision is more difficult when that loved one is dealing with a diagnosis of dementia. Home memory care is much more complicated than caring for a mentally sharp older relative. Due to the challenges, is home memory care even an option?
It seems logical that allowing a senior with dementia to remain in their own home alone isn’t a safe option. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, unpaid caregivers such as family and friends are currently providing over 18 billion hours of care annually (as of 2015). In the environment of COVID-19, many more families are choosing to keep relatives home as well, and it can be assumed that number is now much higher.
Home Memory Care Challenges
When providing home memory care, routine is necessary. You must also engage in daily activities with your loved one, and develop a more defined focus on safety.
Establishing a routine: A routine is essential to establish when caring for memory care patients, as it brings stability – both for you, and for them. Routine is especially important if the individual suffers from anxious or nervous episodes throughout the day.
Set up daily activities: Sleeping or eating patterns should be set up and adhered to whenever possible, with scheduled events throughout the day – such as taking a walk, saying prayers, or working on memory exercises. Schedules are highly beneficial when home memory care is in play. These activities not only keep their mind engaged, but also help to sharpen fine motor skills and verbal interactions as much as possible.
Create a safe environment: Making sure that your home is safe will not only protect your loved one, but also set your mind at ease. You may wish to install additional locking mechanisms on the front door, doors to rooms that are not necessary for them to enter, or cabinets which house dangerous or toxic chemicals.
Legitimate Concerns to Consider
Providing home memory care for a loved one is possible, but the necessary investment of time and money may not be feasible for everyone.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that families dedicate and spend an average of $5,000 annually for home memory care. Hiring in-home caregivers or respite care services to give the primary caregiver a break will increase this average significantly.
Choosing to keep a loved one at home when they require memory care typically is successful in the earlier stages of the disease. During this phase of the process, seniors will derive great benefit from familiar surroundings and known routine. At this point in the condition’s development, the patient may only need prompting for daily tasks. Unfortunately, as the situation progresses, providing home memory care to a family member can rapidly become overwhelming – or even impossible to do and maintain the health of the household and other family members. When you reach this stage, your loved one may require professional memory care services.
Caring and Compassionate Memory Care
If your loved one living with dementia has reached a point that you feel home memory care is no longer an option, it may be time to seek Venice memory care alternatives. A Banyan Residence is a caring, compassionate and professional facility dedicated to the care of your loved one. Don’t let the care of a loved one overwhelm you – call us today.
