Dementia Home Care
Aviva In-Home Care uses a Family-Centered Model of Care approach to home care services. Family-Centered care is made up of a set of values, attitudes, and approaches to services for clients with special needs and their families. Family-Centered care recognizes that each family is unique; that the family is the constant in our client’s life; and that they are the experts on the client’s abilities and needs.
Aviva works closely with the family to make informed decisions about the services and support the client and family receive. With Family-Centered care, the strengths and needs of all involved family members are considered. Studies have shown that health outcomes and levels of satisfaction are improved with this model of care. This is why this model is widely used at major health facilities across the U.S.
What is Memory Care at Home?
Memory care at home refers to care and support provided to individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease (and other forms of dementia) who are living at home, rather than in a residential care facility. This type of care can include assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, as well as help with medication management and other medical care. Care professionals may also provide emotional support and companionship to individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, and help them to stay engaged in activities and maintain a sense of independence for as long as possible.
How Do You Care for Someone with Alzheimer's or Dementia at Home?
Caring for someone with dementia at home can be challenging, but there are several steps that families can take to make the process as smooth as possible. Some of these steps include:
- Understand the disease: Educate yourself about the specific form of dementia and its progression, so that you can anticipate and plan for potential challenges.
- Create a safe environment: Take steps to make your home safe for the person with Alzheimer’s or dementia, such as removing tripping hazards, securing dangerous objects, and making sure the home is well-lit.
- Develop a care plan: Work with the client, their doctor, and other members of the care team to develop a plan for care that meets their specific needs.
- Provide assistance with daily activities: Help the person with Alzheimer’s or dementia with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation.
- Encourage engagement: Provide opportunities for the person with dementia to stay engaged in activities that they enjoy and provide emotional support to help them maintain a sense of independence.
- Manage medication: Help the person with dementia to manage their medication, including keeping track of when and how to take their medication and monitoring for side effects.
- Seek support: Don’t try to do everything on your own – seek out support from other people caring for loved ones with dementia, your friends, your family members, and consider hiring care professionals, or joining a support group.
Let’s Get Started
Aviva works closely with your family, throughout the care process, to make informed decisions about the services and support the client and family receive.
At Aviva, we have an expert management team that understands healthcare delivery, care professionals with multiple years of experience, and an organization focused on continual staff training & education.
What does a Dementia Care Professional do?
An in-home dementia care professional is responsible for providing care and support to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (and other forms of dementia) who are living at home. This can include a wide range of tasks, such as assisting with activities of daily living, providing emotional support and companionship, and helping to manage medications and medical care. Care Professionals may also work with other members of the care team, such as doctors and nurses, to ensure that the individual with Alzheimer’s receives the best possible care. Some specific tasks that a dementia care professional may perform include:
- Helping the person with dementia to bathe, dress, and groom
- Providing companionship and emotional support
- Assisting with meal preparation and feeding
- Monitoring for side effects and reporting any concerns to the doctor
- Providing transportation to medical appointments and other appointments
- Helping the person with dementia to stay engaged in activities that they enjoy
- Providing orientation and guidance, while keeping the client safe from injury
- Providing support and assistance to other caregivers, such as family members.
How Long can Individuals with Dementia Live at Home?
The length of time that an individual with dementia can live at home can vary depending on a number of factors, including the specific type of dementia, the severity of their condition, the availability of support and care, and their overall health and well-being. Most individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, for example, can live at home for years after their diagnosis, often with the help of care professionals and other support services.
As the disease progresses and the person’s needs become more complex, they may require more intensive care and support, and may eventually need to move to a residential care facility. Ultimately, the length of time that an individual with dementia can live at home will depend on their specific circumstances and needs.
What Stage of Dementia Requires Full-Time Care?
As dementia progresses, individuals may require increasing levels of care and support. In the early stages of the disease, individuals may be able to live at home and manage their own care with the help of care professionals, family members, and support services. However, as the disease progresses and the person’s cognitive and functional abilities decline, they may eventually reach a point where they require full-time care. This typically occurs in the moderate to severe stages of the disease, when individuals may no longer be able to manage their own care and need constant supervision and assistance with activities of daily living.
What are Signs that Dementia is Getting Worse?
Dementia is a general term that describes a decline in cognitive abilities, including memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. It is a syndrome, that includes different diseases associated with significant cognitive decline.. As the condition progresses, individuals with dementia may experience a worsening of their symptoms and a decline in their abilities. Some common signs that dementia is getting worse include:
- Memory loss and confusion, especially about recent events or personal information
- Difficulty communicating, speaking, or understanding others
- Difficulty with routine tasks, such as managing medications or paying bills
- Changes in mood and behavior, such as increased agitation or aggression
- Difficulty with spatial awareness, such as getting lost in familiar places
- Loss of interest in hobbies or activities that were previously enjoyable
- Decline in personal hygiene or self-care.
If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, it is important to speak with a doctor or other healthcare provider. They can assess the individual’s symptoms and determine the best course of action.
We understand that choosing a home care provider for yourself or a family member can be a difficult decision, and we believe that hearing from those who have already gone through the process can help ease any concerns you may have.
Why Choose Aviva In-Home Care for In-Home Memory Care Services?
Providing Alzheimer's Home Care in San Francisco, Burlingame, San Mateo, Hillsborough, Atherton, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Berkeley, Lafayette, Orinda, San Bruno, Millbrae, San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, San Jose, Santa Clara, Albany, Montclair, Emeryville, Foster City, Oakland Hills, Berkeley Hills, San Leandro, Hayward, Richmond, Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Moraga, Claremont, Palo Alto Hills, & Los Altos Hills.
With Family-Centered Care, the strengths and needs of all involved family members are considered.
