Finding an in-home caregiver for an elderly loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is no simple task. Alzheimer’s patients will require specialized home healthcare if you want to ensure that they have the best help possible.
Since there are already an estimated 5 million adults in the United States living with Alzheimer’s Disease, it’s safe to assume that the search for comprehensive Alzheimer’s home care will get more competitive as time goes on.
There are some important skills and care offerings that every effective Alzheimer’s home care aid needs to have. Whether you’re going with a care company or individual, make sure they have these critical skills and abilities.
1. Personalized Care
One of the reasons why Alzheimer’s is so difficult to treat is because it affects patients differently. Some people may have a slow cognitive decline but may lose the ability to do most physical tasks on their own quickly. Others have drastic personality changes while others barely have a change in demeanor.
This is why the concept of personalized care is important for all potential caregivers. Blanket treatment solutions won’t work in this situation and you need to be assured that your loved one is getting the special care they need.
When you’re searching for providers ask for insight into how they create plans for patients. Let them know about any problems you’re particularly concerned about and think need special attention.
2. Collaborative Care
Home health aids can do a lot to help your loved one, but you’re still part of the care process. Before you go with any home healthcare provider, ask them how you’ll be involved in your loved one’s care plan.
Will you be able to help them come up with a care plan for your loved one based on what you already do for them? How soon will you be informed about any changes caregivers notice in your loved one?
It’s also possible that you need to take a much-needed break and want them to handle most of the planning and care. Regardless of what you need, make sure the home care service can give it to you.
3. Certifications and Background Checks
It takes a special kind of person to be able to take care of an Alzheimer’s patient. Aside from being patient and caring, they also need to have the right certifications to ensure that your loved one has the best care possible.
Certifications provide important proof that caregivers have gone through rigorous training and are prepared to handle patients. Ask what certifications home care aids have before you decide to work with a care provider.
It’s also important to note that anyone you’re considering working with should pass a background check. Alzheimer’s patients are incredibly vulnerable and caregivers can have access to medications, money, and even legal documents. This is why you’ll want to make sure that anyone you invite into your home lacks a criminal history.
4. Soothing Plans
If you’ve ever dealt with a sundowning Alzheimer’s patient before, you know how agitated and confused they can get. This is why it’s absolutely crucial to ensure that you’re hiring someone that knows how to keep patients calm.
Ask caregivers what they do to help patients that are feeling confused or upset. See how they plan on getting to know your loved one and how they like to get familiar with their patient’s moods.
Don’t be afraid to ask how they deal with stressful situations or with combative patients. Being able to stay calm when someone is yelling or refusing to take medication is important in this line of work.
5. Transitonal Care Plans
Ideally, you’ll want your loved one to be at home as much as possible. However, many Alzheimer’s patients will eventually need nursing home care.
Working with a care company that knows how to transition from in-house care to nursing home care is incredibly important. They can help set you and your loved one up for success when the time comes to move on to more specialized care.
Aside from prepping their patients to make the transition, they can also be very helpful during the nursing home search. They’ll know a lot about local care options and may even be able to recommend a few homes to you.
6. Tiers of Service
Every Alzheimer’s patient has different needs and so do their families. Finding a home care service that can give you hourly care, overnight care, or 24-hour care can make things much less stressful for you.
Over time you may find that your loved one needs more care than you originally thought. Instead of having to find an entirely different home care company, all you have to do is move up to a different level of care.
Having different care options can also make your schedule much more flexible. You won’t have to worry about who will care for your loved one during special occasions or vacations. You’ll already have a company that’s ready to meet their needs.
7. Back-Up Plans
Your caregivers are going to be around as much as they need to be, but things are bound to pop up. If your caregiver takes a sick day or long vacation you need to know that your loved one will be taken care of.
Ask home care services how they handle staffing when usual caregivers are unavailable. See how they get caregivers acquainted with new patients. Ask if you’re able to meet or talk to them before they step into a caregiving role for your loved one.
Find Alzheimer’s Home Care Today
The right Alzheimer’s home care plan is going to involve a mix of personal involvement, professional expertise, and a lot of caring and patience. If you want to find a home care company you know you can trust, your search is over.
We specialize in Alzheimer’s home care for every patient and need. Whether you need help around the clock or a few hours each week we’re ready to help!
Do you have questions about the services we offer? Are you interested in getting help ASAP? Reach out to us today so we can talk about the best way to care for the people you love most.
Alzheimer’s Home Care
