Why Home Care Is a Key Part of Treatment for Dementia


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When it comes to treatment for dementia, the medical profession has made great strides in recent decades. We now have a better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other conditions that affect cognitive functions in the elderly. There are new treatment modalities, including medications that can delay the diseases’ progression and may temporarily alleviate symptoms. However, the sad fact is that we have not yet found a cure for these illnesses, and a great deal of addressing them involves simply coping with their existence. It’s for this reason that home care has become such an important part of the dementia treatment spectrum.

Home care keeps seniors in a familiar environment

Alzheimer’s, like many dementia-related illnesses, affects parts of the brain responsible for processing new information. This is why many people with Alzheimer’s can remember people and events from decades ago, but newer acquaintances and things that occurred recently are quickly forgotten.
It is believed that keeping such seniors in a familiar environment may help them function better with the disease. If the patient is able to continue living in their own home, they will not have to process the new information inherent in a big move — such as one to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Although these environments do have their place in the treatment for dementia, they also involve the senior learning new names, faces, rules, locations, and directions.
By having a nurse or home health aide visit the senior at home, the need for assimilating large quantities of new information is eliminated. This allows the senior to focus on already-made memories, which are typically some of the last to go in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s.

Home care gives patients the emotional support they need

Home care isn’t only a good idea for more productive brain function – it may also be needed to help manage the emotional and mental aspects of the disease. The majority of seniors today prefer to remain in their own homes as they age — regardless of whether or not they have Alzheimer’s.
But for the senior who does, aging-in-place has special significance. Learning one has Alzheimer’s can be heartbreaking and traumatic. If the patient still has good self-awareness, they now know they’ll be faced with the slow and certain loss of their independence — and possibly their personality. Being able to stay at home during these stressful and uncertain times can offer a huge degree of comfort and security.

Home care provides crucial one-on-one assistance

If you’re a caretaker for a senior with Alzheimer’s, you may already be aware that they require a great deal of attention. This is especially true in the latter stages of the disease, where the patient may be prone to wandering, outbursts, or attempts at self-injury. Although nursing home and assisted living facilities are able to provide some degree of help, they usually do not have the staff to provide constant patient supervision. If your loved one requires this due to their stage of dementia or particular symptoms, it is usually a much safer option to secure home care. This way, a home health professional can be with them as long as they need, whether it’s a few hours a week, overnight, or even 24/7.

Consider home care as an option for the treatment of dementia

Although home care cannot cure dementia, the evidence for using it as a treatment technique is strong. Not only does it help with physical challenges associated with the disease, but it can help both patient and family with the emotional aspects as well. Much of the caregiver advice centering on Alzheimer’s (and similar conditions) involves keeping the patient comfortable. But it is equally important for their family and loved ones to enjoy any time they have with the person. Home care enables you to do both, making treatment for dementia a family affair – and a supportive one at that.
If you are unsure of how to best help an aging loved one, the trained and compassionate staff at the Institute on Aging is here to help you make that decision and gain the best in at-home senior care. Contact us to find out more.

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Three and a half years ago, Maggie Fang started her journey as an Assessment Specialist in the Support at Home Program at IOA. Her excellent people skills enabled her to manage a caseload of older adults and individuals with disabilities, helping them receive homecare to age in place. Maggie was selected to pioneer the Temporary Respite Caregiver Support program, and we are delighted to have such a skilled and dedicated individual leading our newest program at IOA. Thank you, Maggie, for your exceptional work! 

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Join us at the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center as Caregiver Coach Alex shares with us the incredible support and care provided to participants living with dementia. Clients enjoy various engaging activities, from music therapy to art classes, designed to stimulate their cognitive and physical abilities. The skilled staff at the Enrichment Center also provides caregivers with much-needed support and respite, allowing them to take a break and attend to their needs. If you or someone you know is looking for support in caring for a loved one with dementia, the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center in the Presidio is an excellent resource for you! 

Learn more by visiting the link in our bio! 

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At Insitute on Aging, we are committed to attracting and retaining top talent, and we are incredibly fortunate to have Manuel Martinez on our team. With his extensive expertise in housing and community resources, Manuel has been an invaluable asset to our organization. Recently, he was promoted to the role of Assessment Specialist II in our Adults with Disabilities - Home Delivered Meals program. In addition to managing a caseload, Manuel has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and has become an expert in program management. We are grateful for Manuel's unwavering commitment to IOA and the community we serve. Thank you, Manuel, for your dedication and passion in making a difference in the lives of others. 
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In honor of #SocialWorkMonth, we're shining a spotlight on one of our exceptional social workers - Patty Myers! 

Patty has dedicated her career and volunteer efforts to support older adults and adults with disabilities in San Francisco. As the Resident Services Coordinator for Institute on Aging's Support in Independent Living program, Patty wears many hats to ensure that the 120+ residents of Martin Luther Towers Senior Housing can age in place comfortably. Her talent for connecting individuals with resources has enabled her to go above and beyond to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all. Patty's commitment to her work has been unwavering, and we are grateful to have her on our team at IOA. 

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