Alzheimer's Home Care

Providing home care to someone with Alzheimer's can be difficult. As the disease progresses, it can be saddening and confusing. As you begin the home care journey, you don't know what you're getting involved in. How long will it last? What should you expect? Understanding what might be coming can help you to prepare.

Learn - Learn everything you can about Alzheimer's. At times, the things you discover might scare you and make you think that you can't handle home care. Be strong, and remember that every Alzheimer's patient is different. You and your loved will slowly develop a routine, figuring out what works for you as the disease moves on to later stages.

Get Support - Find a support group, family member, or good friend who you can talk to. Some people like to find someone who has been a home care provider and understands what they're going through. Others would rather talk to someone who can distract them from their stresses and remind them of other things.

Talk to Family - Most of the work in home care tends to fall on one person. It's important that you are willing to talk to your other family members about what they can do to help. Most people don't mind helping, but they don't know what to do or are a little afraid. Even family members who don't live nearby can help with money management, paperwork, or providing a paid caregiver so you can have a break every now and then.

Finances - Home care can be more expensive than expected. When a loved one moves into your home, you know that you'll have more groceries, use a little more water and electricity. What you might not expect is the other expenses - grab bars, door alarms, lots and lots of laundry detergent as incontinence becomes an issue, pajamas and more pajamas. You'll find yourself using more gas in your car, missing work, having your carpets cleaned. If your loved one has any assets, it's important to discuss finances with them and other family members early on. It's unreasonable for everyone to expect you to shoulder all of the financial costs of home care. You should be able to use your loved one's money to help pay for their care, or else relatives should help contribute their money.

Legal - There are several legal documents that need to be handled as soon as possible. Medical Power of Attorney, Living Will, Health Directive, Wills, Power of Attorneys, Assignments of Assets should all be taken care of while your loved one is able.

Aging in place is not always easy, especially when you add in something like Alzheimer's Disease. Family and friends have to pull together and be supportive in order to make it work. You know that there will be surprises, but if you plan ahead you can be ready for much of what is to come.

If you would like to read more articles on Alzheimer's Disease and home care, visit OurCareCommunity - a free resource built on the ideas of virtual community and social networking.  Readers can share their ideas and experiences, find the latest information on senior care issues, and connect with other members to get answers and advice.

Contributing Editor: Julie Sanocki, CNA

Julie is a graduate of the Certified Nursing Assistant program at Lanier Technical College and has over 10 years experience in elder care. Having been a family member arranging elder care as well as a professional providing it, she understands the needs and concerns of all involved.

For more information please visit: www.OurCareCommunity.com and http://www.ourcarecommunity.com/Html/CareResourceCenter/Articles/dementia-care/SubCatArt/29/16/alzheimers-care