World Alzheimer’s Day: Understanding Alzheimer’s and Supporting a Loved One at Home
Today is World Alzheimer's Day and we're here to help you understand Alzheimer's and how you can help support a loved one at home.
World Alzheimer's Day is observed annually on 21 September and serves as a day to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease, to challenge stigma surrounding dementia and to open up the conversation around family support.
Alzheimer's disease isn't just a diagnosis for many families. It may involve adapting to memory loss, communication issues, personality and daily functioning changes while keeping the person as independent, dignified and able to live their life to the fullest as they wish.
It can also leave you with some challenging questions.
When is Mum in need of additional support? Is it safe for Dad to stay in his own home? What is dementia care about? What can I do to help my parent without taking away their independence?
These are questions many family members may ask.
Fortunately, families are not the only ones going on the journey. Medical care, professional support, practical help and family involvement can help a person with Alzheimer's stay at home and do many of the things that are important to them.
What is the Alzheimer's disease?
Dementia is most often caused by Alzheimer's disease. It is a chronic neurological disorder that impacts memory, thinking and behaviour and can eventually impact an individual's capacity to perform day-to-day tasks.
While forgetfulness is a common symptom of Alzheimer's, the disease can manifest itself in several different ways.
Changes can occur in an individual’s:
· Short-term memory.
· Problem-solving and decision-making.
· Communication.
· Knowledge of direction and place.
· Mood and behaviour.
· Personal hygiene and daily living activities.
· Capacity to perform routine tasks of home.
· Social self-confidence.
Symptoms may vary from one person to another and will vary throughout time.
If you think that your memory or someone you know is changing, or that they are having problems thinking, it's important to talk to a GP. Memory problems can be caused by many factors; a health professional may determine if more tests are warranted.
What are the first symptoms of Alzheimer's?
As people grow older, it's normal for their memory and processing speed to change. If the changes get worse or obvious and are interfering with living a normal life, though, then it's time to talk to a health care provider.
There are some warning signs that might indicate:
· A lot of forgetting of newly acquired material.
· Restating questions or dialogue.
· Trouble performing everyday activities.
· Mistaking dates, places or appointments.
· Difficulty finding familiar words.
· Lacks focus or having things in odd locations.
· Avoiding activities or socializing.
· Mood, personality or behaviour changes.
· Growing trouble with money, pills or home tasks.
These are not all symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
They can, however, be a reason to consult a GP.
Is it possible for someone with Alzheimer's to live at home?
The diagnosis of Alzheimer's does not mean that a person must go to residential aged care.
Many people still reside in their homes, especially if there is the right support around their home.
The kind of support needed will vary from the individual depending on their health, the onset of dementia, their home, safety and personal preferences.
The early support may consist of a companion, purchasing help, household tasks, and/or transport or support to appointments.
Depending on changing needs, extra support can be provided in the areas of personal care, meals, medication, mobility, communication and daily routine.
A place where tailored in-home care can play a significant role in a family's support network.
Luxe Care's approach to supporting those with Alzheimer's disease.
We believe that caring for the individual with dementia is more than a matter of getting things done at Luxe Care.
It's about knowing the person - their past, likes/dislikes, habits, personality, what makes them feel good and appreciated.
Our in-home care is tailored to your individual needs and can consist of:
1. Personal care
Assistance in bathing, dressing, grooming and other personal care, promote self-care as much as possible.
2. Companionship and Social Connection.
Spending time together can help to alleviate feelings of loneliness and offer some form of engagement through talking shared interests, walks, and familiar activities.
3. Dementia-specific support
Support can be provided to meet the individual's cognitive needs, and to support the individual's changing abilities and routine, focusing on consistency, familiarity and dignity.
4. Cooking or helping with the cooking of meals and other domestic tasks
Help to cook meals, go shopping, do some light housekeeping and keep the home comfortable.
5. Medication support
With the range of services offered, Luxe Care can help with medication-related tasks and liaise with the person's healthcare providers.
6. Respite care for family carers
Being a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer's can be physically and emotionally challenging. Respite care can provide family members with time to work, go to appointments, to attend to other responsibilities or simply to take a break.
7. Providing care and clinical assistance that is nurse-led.
Luxe Care's nurse-led approach can offer increased clinical support and coordination with the person's wider healthcare team for those with more complex needs.
8. Overnight and 24-hour care
If a person's needs are not met through the provision of ongoing support, then overnight care and 24-hour care may be available with Luxe Care, if assessed and available, subject to exceptions.
Care and support for independence.
Families have often expressed concern that when treatment is accepted, it will take the place of independence for their family member.
Good care should work towards the opposite.
The aim is to give sufficient support without over-helping.
This could be letting them get dressed, cook a portion of a meal, or do some household tasks, or follow a familiar morning routine, with some help as necessary.
Minor decisions can help to maintain a person's sense of identity and control.
Care plans are tailored to the person and may be changed as the needs of the person change at the Luxe Care.
To support family carer(s)
The person with Alzheimer's is not the only person impacted.
It can have a significant impact on partners, sons, daughters and other family members.
An adult child might be responsible for making appointments, arranging services, visiting a parent, handling finances, coordinating care and trying to handle everything at the same time.
Over time, partners may assume more roles and responsibilities without realising how their caring role has changed.
That's why it's as crucial to help the carer as it is to help the cared-for individual.
Respite and in-home support can assist families to share roles and develop lasting care plans.
It is not an indicator of a failing carer.
Seeking assistance is an important aspect of caring.
What about mental health and emotional wellbeing?
Changes in mood and anxiety, frustration, loneliness, and other emotions are common with Alzheimer's disease.
The bereaved family may suffer from grief, stress and emotional fatigue as well.
In-home care and companionship can be helpful, but not a substitute for a mental-health care professional.
Please consult the GP or an appropriate mental-health professional if you are worried about your loved one's mental health or emotional wellbeing.
Specialist dementia information and support is available to families through Dementia Australia and other organisations.
Thoughts for the future
Families can do much to be prepared for a crisis before it happens.
Needs may alter as the Alzheimer's disease progresses. Having conversations early can help ensure their wishes and preferences are understood.
Families might consider talking about:
- Where their loved one would like to reside.
- What they want to be involved in decisions.
- The type of care they would be willing to receive at home.
- Healthcare preferences.
- Financial and legal planning.
- Transport and social activities.
- Medication management.
- Future care preferences.
- How family responsibilities can be divided.
These discussions can be difficult but can be beneficial for clarity and reassurance later.
When to think about in-home dementia care?
No one "needs" home care services at a specific time.
Consider other forms of help if you notice:
- Progressive difficulties with self-care.
- Failure to eat meals or be able to prepare meals.
- Difficulty in managing medications.
- Regular falls or safety issues.
- Increasing social isolation.
- An exhausted or overburdened family carer.
- Trouble with daily activities at home.
- Rising levels of confusion with routine.
A family member needing to provide more and more hands-on assistance.
It's not a matter of things getting out of hand.
Families can plan slowly and get their options clarified by having initial discussions with a professional care provider.
How Luxe Care can help
Each family impacted by Alzheimer's has its own requirements.
Others may need just a couple of hours of assistance per week. Some residents might require care every day, or they could require 24-hour care.
Luxe Care is able to co-create an in-home care plan with a family, taking into account the person's needs, preferences, activities and desired goals.
Our support can work alongside other services such as GP's & specialists, allied health, and dementia services to provide a more integrated support system around the person.
There's no need to figure it all out before calling.
Take the next step with Luxe Care
If your loved one or parent is beginning to age and you're worried about them living with Alzheimer's and what help may be available at home, you should talk to Luxe Care.
Our team is available to discuss your situation in greater detail, explain the care options available and help you decide if you are needing any level of care.
Call Luxe Care on 1300 674 886 or reach out to our Team to arrange a time to discuss personalised in-home dementia care.
Today is the time to begin a discussion about tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Question on Alzheimer's and Home Care.
1. What is the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia?
No. Dementia is not a single disease, but a collection of symptoms that impact cognition, memory, behaviour and everyday functioning. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease.
2. Is Alzheimer's a normal part of ageing?
No. Although there are normal memory changes with age, Alzheimer's disease is not a normal process of ageing. If the changes are ongoing or something you are worried about, you should talk to a GP.
3. Is it possible for someone suffering from Alzheimer's to live alone?
Based on the individual symptoms, safety, health and circumstances. In the early stages some people can live independently, whilst others may need more support. A professional evaluation might be helpful in identifying what type of support is provided.
4. What type of care does someone with Alzheimer's need?
Care requirements vary. This can be in the form of companionship, personal care, meal preparation, domestic support, medication support, respite for family carers and nurse-led care.
5. Does Luxe Care provide Alzheimer's care at home?
Yes. Luxe Care offers customized care at home tailored to person and lifestyle which helps with dementia. Services may include personal care, companionship, respite, household assistance and nurse led services.
6. Is there respite for family carers with Luxe Care?
Yes. Respite support can provide family carers with some time out from their caring responsibilities and also ensure that their care recipient is still cared for appropriately.
7. Could in-home care be an alternative to medical care for Alzheimer's?
No. In-home care is not a replacement for diagnosis, medical treatment, psychological support or dementia specific healthcare, but rather complements that care.
8. What are signs that my parent needs additional support?
Watch for any alterations in their daily functioning, self-care, feeding, medicine, home safety, and/or household responsibilities. Self-changes as a family carer is also a factor to consider.
9. Does someone's care grow more over the course of Alzheimer's?
Yes. The review of a person's care plan can be completed as needs change. Support can be provided from occasional visits to regular support, to overnight or 24-hour support where appropriate and available.
10. Are there dementia care programs available and if so, are they subsidized by the government?
Depending on their circumstances and assessment, some people may be able to receive aged-care support from the government. Luxe Care can also offer private funding options and speak to families about the options available.
11. What are some other resources for families to get more information about Alzheimer's?
Dementia Australia offers information, education and support to people with dementia, families and carers. Call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
Talk with someone about dementia this World Alzheimer's Day
World Alzheimer's Day isn't just an awareness day.
It's a time to discuss memory changes, have questions answered, dispel stigma, and ensure that people with Alzheimer's and their families feel supported.
It is not necessary to have a clear idea of what is to come.
One conversation may be a starting point.
When caring for someone is a crisis, it is too late. Discuss with family, speak with their health care provider and research support services.
When it's time to discover home care services tailored to your needs, Luxe Care is ready to assist.
