If someone close to you has Alzheimer’s disease, you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure they’re comfortable and that their quality of life is high. You’ll know that caring for someone with the disease isn’t always easy — it can be challenging to find the right coping mechanisms when your loved one experiences behavioural changes or cannot remember pertinent things about your life together.
You’ll want them to feel comfortable with the best care and support as they go through the disease’s stages. Taking care of yourself is also an intrinsic part of the Alzheimer’s process — you must give yourself the space to heal and rest during this challenging time. We’ve compiled a helpful guide that outlines fundamental tips on how to give you and your loved one the ultimate attention and respect you both deserve.
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Ask for Help: A Home Healthcare Provider
Do you sometimes wish there was another set of hands to help around the house? While you would do anything to help your loved one, running a household and taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s at the same time is incredibly demanding. Consider asking for help from an expert home healthcare provider for seniors. You won’t have to manage everything by yourself because you’ll have a professional nurse or caregiver come to your home to provide essential services such as cooking, cleaning, and ensuring your loved one is in excellent condition. You might not know how to manage emergencies as well as a trained caregiver, so you can relax a little more, knowing that there’s someone else around — all in the comfort of home.
Look for a Toronto home health care service that specializes in dementia care. You’ll feel safe knowing that your friend or relative is under the supervision of trained professionals who are familiar with the complexities of Alzheimer’s disease.
Join a Support Group
A home healthcare provider is an excellent way to give yourself some freedom to breathe a little easier because it allows you to catch up on crucial personal time and rest. You might also want to consider joining a support group with other people who are going through a similar experience as yourself. An Alzheimer’s disease support group for family and friends is a way for you to communicate with others who genuinely understand the hardships of the disease’s impact. You’ll realize that you’re not alone and might even learn new and useful information from listening to and sharing stories with your group.
Consider Palliative Care
As the disease progresses into the imminent stages, Alzheimer’s symptoms become increasingly severe. Some patients lose the ability to walk or speak. During these later stages of the disease, the emphasis lies more on maintaining quality, dignity, and comfort in patients than finding a cure. Many people find that at-home palliative care is a helpful tool during this time. At-home palliative care provides you and your loved one with much-needed emotional, physical, and spiritual support. Professional palliative caregivers will come to your home to provide pain management, compassionate support, and an empathetic ear.
Watching a family member or friend with Alzheimer’s disease is not easy to do, but with a little help, you’ll feel stronger and able to provide the best care possible.
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