Dementia Home Care: Meaning & Importance

What is Dementia? 

Dementia Home Care is needed to compensate for the effects that dementia has on the patient. It is a measure that supports the patient in retaining the functions and skills that they have. Specialized care will improve your or your loved one’s quality of life. They will better respond to their environment. 

Dementia impacts your cognitive functioning, which means you have difficulty formulating your thoughts, you become forgetful, and you’re not able to reason very well. Memory, visual perception, problem-solving, language skills, and memory become challenging. Your ability to focus and pay attention may not improve or may become more of a struggle too. Some patients have difficulty controlling their emotions. So, don’t be taken aback by a change in personality. 

Overall, you’ll be less able to manage yourself without the support. Your behavioral abilities will be affected to such an extent that it interferes with your daily life and the activities you enjoy. Thankfully, at whichever stage of dementia, a specialist is waiting in the wings to assist you. 

Kay Bransford is a blogger and author who writes about taking care of her parents who were diagnosed with dementia. She suggests, “First, imagine yourself in your loved one’s shoes. They most likely can’t perceive or understand that their thinking and behavior have changed. My recommendation is to get them to a doctor to understand the cause. Some forms can be reversible and could be caused by something as simple as a urinary tract infection or medications. If you are seeing changes, find a doctor that will help you.”

You can find more information about Kay Bransford and read her blog here. 

What Factors Are Associated with Developing Dementia?  

Dementia can be severe, or it can be mild (mild, moderate, and severe).  There are various stages of dementia, and all these have different symptoms. Of course, every patient is different. When a patient has severe dementia, having a dementia care plan should be highly considered. 

Severe dementia can cause extensive memory loss, loss of mobility, difficulty swallowing and controlling your bowels. 

Stage 1

More specifically, stage 1 is considered the relatively “normal” stage when you don’t show significant symptoms. It means that there aren’t noticeable memory or cognitive impairment. It’s not easy to tell at this stage that you have dementia because apparent symptoms aren’t prevalent. And you won’t necessarily have any significant reason to suspect that it’s dementia. Yet, it’s important to be wary thereof.  

Note that stage 1 – 3 is generally known as the pre-dementia stages. At this stage, you may have occasional lapses of memory. You may forget names or where you’ve placed particular objects. Although a memory loss is often an age-related cognitive decline, it can also be an early sign of dementia. Also, at these early stages, it’s challenging to detect dementia via medical tests. For a dementia diagnosis, the memory loss needs to coincide with other symptoms.

At stage 3 – You may experience mild symptoms such as getting lost very quickly, not recalling the names of close friends and family, difficulty concentrating, and misplacing objects – you may even have mild anxiety that interferes with daily life.

Stage 4

You may feel disoriented, have difficulty recognizing familiar faces, or find it challenging to keep up with current affairs or handle your finances and travel plans. You may even have trouble remembering personal details about yourself. As a result, you may avoid certain situations that may cause you anxiety. 

Stage 5-6

You’ll need assistance to manage your everyday activities. Moderate dementia has set in, and you experience difficulty making decisions. But you’ll still have the ability to use the bathroom on your own and may still recall the names of your loved ones, such as your spouse and children.

Stage 7

It becomes even more challenging to remember your spouse, children, friends, and family’s names. Not being sure of your surroundings and displaying delusional, obsessive behavior or loss of willpower is now prevalent. Wandering around, having trouble sleeping, and at times having hallucinations becomes a common occurrence. At this stage, the loss of mobility and possibly the loss of speech occurs. It’s the final stage, and it seems the brain is losing traction steadily. 

Sometimes, the symptoms are caused by underlying illnesses.  And it’s for this reason that it’s crucial to consult your doctor throughout your journey. Now that you’re clear on the various stages, you can react quickly and seek the medical guidance you need. 

View an infographic about the 7 stages of dementia. 

What Kind of Dementia Do You Get? 

Some many disorders and factors are associated with the development of dementia. And it’s the neurodegenerative diseases that cause loss of brain functioning that is irreversible. There is, unfortunately, no cure, but support is available to help those who are dealing with dementia. Various types include Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal disorders, and Lewy body dementia. 

Also, consider that certain conditions may have symptoms that resemble those of dementia. These conditions can cause dementia or have dementia-like symptoms; drinking too much alcohol, stress, anxiety, depression, blot clots, tumors, or thyroid and kidney problems. 

Of course, it’s imperative to be as healthy as you possibly can and get your regular check-ups so that you can eliminate any possible risk factor. Ensure that you maintain a healthy lifestyle. And if you suspect that you may have dementia, book a doctor’s appointment as soon as you can. Like all conditions, your best line of defense is to get an early diagnosis!

How Long can a Dementia Care Patient Live at Home? 

According to Forbes, a support program created in 2006 by Dementia Specialists at Johns Hopkins University found that patients who participated had a much greater chance of living in their homes for longer. Another study also found that patients were still living at home on an average of 94 days since enrolling in the program- this was compared to a controlled group who spent 660 days at home before they left for a care facility. Considering these statistics, it’s clear that patients who are stimulated are more likely to stay at their homes for longer. 

What Care is Available for Dementia?

Dementia home care involves making the home as safe as possible. Medical professionals practice this type of care, such as registered dementia nurses and therapists who take care of those dealing with dementia’s physical needs. 

It’s important to remember that dementia patients need to reside in a familiar setting. Even though nursing homes practice dementia home care at their facilities, it’s best for a person dealing with dementia to be taken care of in their homes because it is familiar. Unfamiliarity can cause upset and anxiety. 

If you are taking care of a loved one who has dementia, please lock all access areas and ensure that your loved one has assistance to use appliances. Also, remember that your loved one may display personality changes too. So, be patient and empathetic and seek guidance from doctors as often as you can. 

The first step to better healthcare is to arm yourself with information. When dealing with dementia, gaining knowledge is your most excellent and most effective method to do away with uncertainty. Reading this article is a perfect start.

Kay reminds us that caregivers need to take care of themselves too.

“I was grieving the loss of my parents while they were standing beside me but you can’t be a good caregiver if you aren’t taking care of yourself. I learned that especially with dementia, my mood was so important to how well I could help my parents. For 1.5 hours I turned off my phone and could focus on an activity I loved. Exercise always brightened my mood. This helped me be a better caregiver.”

Click to tweet

• Twitter

Will Medicare Pay for Dementia Home Care?

Yes. Medicare does cover the costs for Dementia Home Care, but what will be paid for depends on the type of dementia that the patient has. Stage 1-3 is considered early-stage dementia and will be eligible for certain types of medical care. The coverage will differ at various stages. There’s a strong focus on preventative care by way of regular medical check-ups, which are usually paid for by Medicare. 

How Will Dealing with Dementia Evolve in the Future?

Research has been done on how slowly dementia progresses and how to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Currently, your best way forward is to maintain your loved one’s lifestyle and independence as best as you can. 

Also, note that in the future, you may see a greater emphasis on dementia care education. It could lead to more medical professionals deciding to specialize in this type of care. Instead of having a regular certified nursing assistant (CNA) take care of you or your loved one, you’ll more likely deal with a specialized dementia care nursing assistance (CDNA) instead. 

Kay ends by saying, “I think it will take time for the science to develop a dementia prevention. There are so many forms and reasons for it. I think it’s more important that as a society we learn to understand and create a place for those living with dementia to have purpose and meaning and to be able to contribute to their communities as long as they are able.”

There’s a greater need for this type of home care because the number of people dealing with dementia continues to increase. Thankfully, we can look forward to the growing number of professional caregivers. Rest assured, the future for dementia home care looks bright!

Have a look at the 12 essential qualities of a great caregiver.

Click to tweet

• Twitter

50 Activities for Dementia Patients

1. Play chess or other board games
2. Learn to play an instrument 
3. Change your routine fairly often 
4. Memorize your favorite poems 
5. Memories phone numbers and dates 
6. Try to use your less dominant hand more often 
7. Learn a dance routine
8. Do more puzzles 
9. Start a craft, knit, or paint. 
10. Read novels 
11. Write stories or start a journal
12. Watch movies and predict the ending
13. Do your chores
14. Collect recipes and cook often
15. Take regular walks 
16. Grow vegetables in your garden 
17. Grow your own flowers 
18. Go for long walks with friends
19. Join a recreational Club
20. Sign up for a martial arts class 
21. Play video or mobile games 
22. Start beading jewelry 
23. Play memory games using cards
24. Read backward 
25. Memorize your grocery list 
26. Exercise everyday
27. Get enough sleep 
28. Fold towels
29. Create a collage 
30. Start making a quilt 
31. Build your own time capsule or memory box
32. Get a puzzle cube 
33. Play scrabble!
34. Spend more time with friends and family
35. Visit museums and art galleries
36. Start a debate with friends
37. Retrace your steps 
38. Do some math equations
39.  Meet new people and memorize their names 
40.  Write and read your full name backward 
41. Learn a new language 
42. Unravel a knotted ball of string 
43. Count backward 
44.  Use a road map, not GPS!
45.  Pack your books using the Dewey Decimal System
46.  Reorganize your clothing cupboard by color
47.  Create a mosaic 
48.  Buy an adult coloring book and use it!
49. Dream up at least 20 possible names for every appliance in your kitchen
50. Write lyrics for a song and sing it

Top 3 Points

---

1. Dementia Home Care is a supportive measure for patients with dementia to help them retain the functions and skills they have.
2. By taking the right steps earlier, dementia patients can have a longer chance of managing at home instead of moving to an external facility.
3. Medicare may cover costs of Dementia Home Care depending on the type of dementia the patient has and what stage they’re in.

Conclusion 

It’s important to continue researching and keeping up-to-date with the developments. It’s also a superb way to take better care of yourself or your loved ones. We’ll do our best to keep you in the loop, and we hope that the information that we can provide has given you a new perspective. Let’s strive to be as healthy as we possibly can. After all, our health is our greatest commodity!

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does Medicare pay for home health care for dementia patients? 

Medicare offers some coverage for the costs associated with dementia care, including inpatient stays and home health services. However, original Medicare does not cover non-medical expenses or activities of daily living such as cooking, eating, housekeeping etc. 

Does Medicaid cover nursing home care for dementia? 

Medicaid covers all or a portion of nursing home costs for dementia patients who meet eligibility requirements. Medicaid covers memory care units in nursing homes. 

How to care for dementia parents at home? 

There are a few key things to keep in mind when caring for dementia parents at home.  

• First, make sure to keep the home environment as calm and organized as possible. Dementia patients can become easily confused or agitated, so removing any potential triggers can help to minimize these episodes. 
• Secondly, be sure to provide plenty of opportunities for engagement and stimulation. Activities such as puzzles, crafts, music, and walks can help to keep dementia patients engaged and upbeat. 
• Finally, it is important to maintain patience and understanding when caring for a loved one with dementia. Understand that their behavior may not always be rational or consistent, and be willing to adapt your care approach as needed. 

Can someone with dementia be forced into a care home?  

Generally, you cannot force dementia patients into a care home. However, in some cases, if they are no longer competent to look after themselves or cannot safely be left on their own, they could be moved into a care home. 

How much are dementia care home fees? 

The cost of dementia care home can vary depending on where you live and your loved one’s care needs. The cost of dementia care can be as low at $25 per day or it could reach up to $24,000 per month.  

How to find a care home for dementia? 

If you are looking for a care home for dementia, it is important to do your research and ask the right questions. Here are some tips: 

• Start by asking family and friends for recommendations 
• Once you have a few recommendations, do some online research 
• Once you have narrowed down your choices, visit the care homes in person 
• Finally, make a decision based on what is best for your loved one 

Apart from that, you can ask your support group members, social workers, or local authority. 

Is nursing home care for dementia tax deductible? 

Yes. It is possible to get a tax deduction for long-term care such as nursing home or memory care. However, in order to be eligible for this tax deduction, you must meet certain requirements and maintain records of your caregiving. 

When should a dementia patient go into a care home? 

There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on a variety of factors including the severity of dementia and the care needs of the individual. However, in general, it is recommended that patients with dementia should go into a care home when their condition begins to significantly impact their quality of life, or when they are no longer able to safely live at home.