Quality Companionship Care For Seniors With Dementia

By Jerry Lee


Caring for the elderly and seniors can often be a challenging task, especially when the individual has a debilitating disease. As such, locating quality companionship care for seniors with dementia is essential. In order to do so, a number of organizations recommend researching companies and caregivers as well as acquiring and checking references before making such an important decision. For, there have been caregivers whom have taken advantage of, abused or stole from these clients, especially those with memory issues.

When it comes to home health aides, the Family Care Alliance or FCA and National Center On Caregiving can provide a number of resources. For, the alliance is a community based non-profit organization which addresses the needs of friends, families and caregivers caring for loved ones in the home. As such, the alliance provides a voice for those working in this area and provides advocacy, educational programs and services to those in need.

All programs, resources and services are designed and developed towards caregivers. In addition, there are a number of tailor made educational materials and tools which can provide assistance. These include, a FCA CareJourney which can provide information, support and resources aimed specifically at families providing care to a loved one and a Family Care Navigator which can assist caregivers in locating support services in each state.

Caregivers also have access to the National Center On Caregiving which works to promote cost-effective, high quality policies and programs, and a Bay Area Caregiver Resource Center for those living in the six counties in or around the San Francisco Bay Area which provides consultants whom work closely with family members caring for ill or elderly loved ones.

The Family Care Alliance website also offers a variety of resources and support. For example, there is a blog in which individuals can ask questions about past and present experiences or share stories. Whereas, the site also host a calendar of events for caregivers, and at times, clients. In most cases, the events are a combination of entertainment and learning experiences directed toward different areas of caregiving.

When caring for individuals with dementia, it is helpful to know the seven stages of the disease. For, by understanding the symptoms associated with each stage, it can often be easier to recognize the needs of clients and the type of care which will most likely be the most successful at the time. When it comes to the seven stages, all individuals effected by dementia or Alzheimer's start at stage one in which there are no visible signs of impairment.

In stages 2 through 7, memory issues begin to slowly decline while signs of Alzheimer's can often appear in the second or third stage. The most dramatic changes begin in stage 3, as it is this phase in which an individual will begin to see impairment in work performance, forgetfulness, verbal repetitiveness, poor concentration, issues with organization and problem solving, issues with completing complex tasks and experience difficulty while driving.

Stages 4 through 7 often present with individuals becoming more isolated, anti-social and avoiding physical contact. It is also at this stage in which memory and problem solving skills begin to deteriorate more rapidly. At which point, it can often be impossible for the individual to recognize spouses, relatives, remember phone numbers and other pertinent information. In most cases, it is at this advanced stage in which physicians and families must decide the best options for treatment, housing or hospice care in the future.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment

 

Holidays Copyright © 2011-2012 | Powered by Blogger