Whether you move your dad into your home or someone stops by all day to help out, Alzheimer's disease doesn't mean he must move out of his home. If he wants to age in place, there are ways to make it work for him. Home care can help your dad navigate the stages of Alzheimer’s as the disease progresses and he gradually needs more assistance.
Know What's Coming Up
No two cases of Alzheimer's are identical, but you should still read up and find out what symptoms are typical in each stage. You can prepare in advance if you know what could be coming up.
What to Expect with Each Stage of Alzheimer’s
Your dad will be independent in the early stages and not need too much help. One of the first things he'll need is someone to take over the driving. As his reaction times and memories diminish, he shouldn't be driving. This is an excellent time to introduce him to a home care provider. He's still able to remember faces. If you wait too long, he won't remember a caregiver and may become agitated when there's a stranger in his home.
As time goes on, he'll need to relinquish cooking meals or at least have help when he cooks. You don't want him to forget something is in the oven and start a fire. He'll need reminders to take his daily medications.
In the middle stages, he'll forget what he's doing and need cues from one task to the next. He'll need help completing tasks like laundry, paying bills, shopping for groceries, and running errands.
His appointments for haircuts, medical care, and dental cleanings need to be scheduled and managed by caregivers. He'll never remember them on his own. Plus, he's likely to take far too long getting ready to leave the house, so he'll need someone to help him get ready.
He'll need help to the shower, to get to the toilet on time, get dressed, and walk around the house. He may eventually need a wheelchair to get from one room to the next. Your dad will reach a point where he can't feed himself and will need assistance with that as well.
The late stages are the hardest and require much more stringent supervision. Rage and irritability are more likely to appear in the latter part of the mid-stages and early late stages. He may lash out at you and refuse to cooperate. It helps to have two people available, so if he's sick of one person, the other is nearby.
Home Care Supports Your Dad’s Needs in All Stages of Alzheimer’s
Home care services are the perfect solution to providing your dad with the help he needs to retain his independence. From the initial diagnosis to the late stages of Alzheimer’s when he needs the most assistance, home care providers can be there every step of the way. Bringing in home care as early as possible following a diagnosis is the best way to maintain your dad’s independence the longest. Call us today to find out how home care can help your dad remain comfortable and safe at home.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HOME CARE IN HOLMES BEACH, FL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS OF BRADENTON. CALL TODAY: (941) 499-5946
