How to Care for a Family Member with Dementia at Home
Are you providing care for a member of your family with dementia? There are many steps you can take to ensure the health and well-being of your loved one as well as yourself during this time. If your family member prefers to remain living at home while receiving care, there are additional steps you need to take to safeguard their home environment.
Below is an overview of the steps noted above. If you are currently providing dementia care at home or looking into it for the first time, be sure to consider the following tips.
Focus On the Needs of Your Loved One
The needs of someone with dementia will vary from person to person. They can also change and even increase over time. One of the first steps to providing dementia care at home is to take a look at how you can best support your loved one.
You may find that they need support with daily hygiene such as bathing, grooming, and dressing. Other individuals with dementia may need assistance with meal prep and eating. Be sure to consult with your loved one’s physician regularly about their condition so you can offer support in the areas that are needed.
Focus On the Home Environment for Dementia Care
There are many steps you can take to create a safe living environment for your loved one. This includes ensuring that rooms and hallways are well lit with any trip hazards removed. In the bathroom, you can help improve safety and address slippery surfaces with non-skid strips and grab bars for extra support. You may also need to place medications and other potentially hazardous items out of reach as an extra precaution.
Focus On Yourself and Your Family
It’s no secret that providing dementia care can be stressful for yourself and your family. Be sure to take time to rest, recharge, and focus on your own needs. You may also find it helpful to reach out for support from other family members or connect with a community group, social worker, and/or your loved one’s physician whom you can consult with when needed.
Focus on Dementia Caregivers “Near Me”
If you begin to find it difficult to manage caregiving on top of your daily tasks and well-being, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Professional caregivers can provide dementia care at home that is compassionate and has your loved one’s best interests at heart. This will allow you to have peace of mind knowing that your loved one is receiving skilled home care that focuses on their well-being.
At iCare Home Health based in Oakville, ON our team of caregivers does just that. Our services for dementia care at home are customized with each client’s specific needs in mind. We are available to assist individuals across the GTA with personal support at home, nursing at home, recreational therapy, foot care, and more.
If you’re looking for dementia caregivers “near me,” reach out to our team in Oakville, ON, and request a free assessment.
President of iCare Home Health Services, a community based, boutique home health care company dedicated to serving the needs of our customers to maintain their quality of life and dignity while they recover from illness or age at the comfort of their own home.