After your senior loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you and your family will likely be thinking about the next steps to begin providing care. One of these steps may involve making choices about the safest and most comfortable living situation for your loved one. As the disease progresses, your loved one may experience quite a few benefits by continuing to live at home.
Familiarity
You can help your loved one prevent depression and anxiety when you allow him or her to age in place. New surroundings and loud noises can be scary for seniors with Alzheimer’s, and being around unfamiliar objects and people can cause more stress, which can make the disease progress more quickly. Being moved to an assisted living facility may cause your loved one to be more disoriented, but the familiarity of home can make daily life less confusing and stressful.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading Montgomery elder care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
Independence
Being independent can help seniors maintain a higher quality of life. Living at home gives your loved one the opportunity to participate in many of the same activities he or she is used to doing, which can boost his or her memory. Though your loved one will likely need assistance from you or a professional caregiver, aging in place can help him or her maintain some level of independence instead of fully relying on others to help with basic care. This can slow the effects Alzheimer’s has on memory, social skills, intellect, and more.
Aging in place can also be beneficial for seniors with Parkinson’s, dementia, and many other health conditions. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Memory Boosts
During the early stages of Alzheimer’s, memory stimulation can help seniors maintain their cognitive skills. When your loved one receives care at home, he or she will have access to photos, furniture, and other symbolic items that tell stories. Familiar items and mementos can give seniors something else to focus on beyond their condition while also encouraging brain stimulation. This can be extremely beneficial in triggering his or her memory. If your loved one has a memory lapse, these items may help him or her remember who and where he or she is.
Social Continuity
Seeing familiar faces on a regular basis is another benefit of aging in place, because it makes it easier to stick to certain routines instead of constantly needing to change them. Having continuity can help your loved one’s caregiver learn these routines and habits and the best ways to calm your loved one if he or she becomes distressed or irritated. Continuity can also enhance communication skills, promote mental acuity, and strengthen the relationship between your loved one and his or her caregiver
Keeping seniors with Alzheimer’s involved in community and family activities can make them feel needed and productive. If your loved one is concerned about how others will react to the condition, assure him or her it’s not an issue for those who know and love him or her.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Montgomery, AL, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. To learn more about our reliable, compassionate in-home care services, contact us at (334) 593-3988 today.