Caring for a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is seldom easy. Even the most loving and devoted families need help to alleviate the emotional and physical demands of the task and ease the burden of care. Worried about how your loved one will react to a new caregiver? Are you concerned about the level of care provided in your absence? These feelings are normal, and fortunately, there are ways to ensure your loved one adjusts well to a professional caregiver.
Start Small
Start with having a caregiver help with household chores, such as cleaning and cooking. Once your loved one becomes more familiar with the caregiver, start with a few hours of care here and there. Over time, as the caregiver and your loved one build trust, you can leave for longer periods. Additionally, always keep your loved one in the loop about upcoming care, and continue to provide reassurance that everything will be okay. It’s also important to not feel guilty about leaving. Remember that taking a break from your caregiving responsibilities gives you the time you need to continue to deliver high-quality care to your loved one.
Professional caregivers with training and experience in Alzheimer’s care can be a wonderful resource for seniors and their families. There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading elder care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Make Preparations
Take time to prepare for the person who will be providing the care. Write a list of things the home caregiver should know about your loved one, including the need for items such as glasses, dentures, and walkers. Write down possible behavioural problems and explain how you handle them. List your loved one’s likes and dislikes regarding food choices, comfort concerns, and favourite pastimes, and clearly identify any tasks you don’t want the caregiver to perform. Being thorough ensures a high level of care and can provide you with peace of mind while you’re away.
Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Waterloo Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Ask Questions
It’s natural to ask questions before home care begins. Keep in mind that a caregiver is a professional whose experience can serve as an important resource as well. At the end of the visit, ask the caregiver about any issues that may have come up while you were away. Invite the caregiver to share tips and strategies. Keep the lines of communication open, and you’ll discover that forging a partnership with a reputable home care service agency offers multiple benefits for you and your loved one.
If your elderly loved one is living with Alzheimer’s and needs help managing the symptoms, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Waterloo seniors can rely on our revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program that promotes cognitive health and delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. CTM also encourages seniors to engage with others in an enjoyable way and helps them build new routines to look forward to. To talk to one of our friendly Care Managers and create a customized senior care plan, call us at (519) 954-2111.