Dementia Care Specialists in Waterloo, ON
After a dementia diagnosis, families often question their loved one’s future quality of life and cognitive abilities. Although there is no way to predict the severity of dementia symptoms and when they will arise, there are ways to delay the onset of memory loss and better manage confusion, wandering, and feelings of anxiety. Our trained dementia caregivers achieve a sense of comfort for their senior clients by:
- Utilizing the Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM) – Available exclusively to Home Care Assistance clients, CTM was designed to promote mental acuity and brain health for seniors of all cognitive abilities. Each of our dementia caregivers is trained in this method and engages clients with the program’s stimulating activities to further instill feelings of confidence and self-esteem.
- Creating Structured Routines – According to the Alzheimer’s Association, individuals with dementia often prefer and thrive in the safety and comfort of home. Our dementia caregivers are mindful existing routines, assisting seniors with his or her regular activities such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation to provide structure in the day. As the disease progresses, structure becomes instrumental in preventing confusion and restlessness and allows seniors to understand the time of day by the activity that is being completed.
- Providing Conversation and Companionship – Mental stimulation is key in late-life and is especially important for seniors with memory or cognitive conditions. Dementia caregivers from Home Care Assistance take genuine interest in the lives of their clients and strive to form meaningful, long-term relationships. This allows a high level of trust to be formed between the caregiver and the senior and can stave off feelings of depression and loneliness.
Ongoing Dementia Care Management and Support
Home care isn’t just a one time service, it’s a long-term relationship that will determine how your loved one lives his or her day-to-day life. To ensure peace of mind with our dementia care services, our caregivers take careful CareNotes to track daily activities and changes and Care Managers conduct regular quality assurance visits and report back to families so there is never any confusion about the level of care being provided. Care Managers are also on call 24/7 to modify care schedules, answer questions, or simply offer a listening ear. We’re here to help
Interested in scheduling your complimentary, no-obligation consultation? Call (519) 954-2111 and learn why Home Care Assistance of Waterloo and Kitchener is the trusted name in in-home dementia care.
Questions to Ask the Home Care Agency
Before settling on a particular caregiver, it’s important to get to know them on a personal level and take the time to ask the agency a few fundamental questions regarding your loved one’s care.
- What degree of supervision does my elderly loved one require?
The level of care required for your elderly loved one with dementia depends on the severity of their diagnosis. We provide specially trained dementia caregivers in Waterloo who are properly equipped to handle all sorts of situations that pertain to your loved one’s illness and we’ll take the time to carefully determine the level of care needed in each case. Whether your loved one requires full-time or part-time live-in or simply in-home care, we’ll use careful measures to find the right caregiver for them. - What sort of memory care training do you provide your professionals?
All of our professional caregivers are trained in the Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM). CTM is a specially formulated and extensively researched approach to stimulating essential brain functions in aging adults and helping to keep their minds active. The program was specifically devised by cognitive function it is what helps set us apart from other home care agencies in Kitchener and the surrounding areas. - How will my loved one’s caregiver(s) communicate with me?
Our caregivers are trained to communicate with family members of their charges via telephone and e-mail. All you have to do is let us know which method of communication you prefer and how regularly you’d like to be updated on the well-being of your loved one. On top of providing updates regarding major health-related events and breakthroughs, our caregivers can also communicate with you on a regular basis according to your schedule (once a day, once a week, biweekly, etc.). You also have the freedom to contact the caregiver and our agency any time, day or night. - What is your plan in the event of an emergency?
In the unfortunate event that an emergency does occur, our top priority is to ensure the health and safety of your elderly loved one and we’ll use all of the resources available to us to ensure that they receive the immediate care they need. Our caregivers are also responsible for keeping an open line of communication with family members during these difficult times by contacting them immediately and calmly explaining the situation to them. - Does your agency offer the opportunity to meet the caregiver(s) prior to receiving the services?
As one of the top in-home dementia care providers in the Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph areas, our main goal is to ensure the safety, comfort, and overall happiness of your loved one. This entails matching them up with a suitable caregiver who meets all of their care requirements both on paper and in person. For that reason, we highly encourage setting up an initial meeting or consultation with the caregivers we recommend to make sure they’re a good fit prior to commencing the care services.
Questions about Dementia
- Can dementia cause angry outbursts?
Yes, dementia can cause angry or emotional outbursts in some patients at random times, but our professional caregivers are fully capable of deescalating these types of situations. - How do you comfort someone with dementia during an emotional outburst?
The best way to comfort a dementia patient who’s exhibiting an emotional outburst is to remain calm at all times and approach them with a soft and gentle demeanour. The point is to make them feel safe. Sometimes, they might be reminiscing or reliving a painful, traumatic memory and trying to correct them will just cause more disorientation. It’s best to address them carefully and slowly using a soothing tone of voice. - Is dementia fatal?
Yes, just like any other illness, dementia can be fatal. - Can dementia cause sudden mood swings?
Since dementia is a culmination of both physical and mental ailments, yes it can cause sudden mood swings, especially in more advanced patients. - Can dementia come on suddenly?
It can take years for a patient to be diagnosed with dementia because it usually starts off as a different illness altogether and it takes on numerous forms. - What’s the general prognosis for patients who suffer from dementia?
Studies have found that life expectancy post diagnosis depends largely on level of care, types of treatments administered, and the patient’s age at the onset of the disease. Regardless of the stage of the illness, there are plenty of viable senior and dementia care options available in Kitchener and Waterloo to help your loved one.