Caring for a parent with dementia poses certain challenges. There is growing interest in using support dogs to help with dementia like Alzheimer’s. Could it be another way to help care for your mom or dad?
Dementia support dogs are trained similarly to dogs that support people who are on the spectrum. The dogs help with comfort. They interrupt behaviors like meltdowns and hitting. They can also help seek or bring someone who wanders away to safety.
If your mom or dad has Alzheimer’s, a care plan that pairs your care, support of an Alzheimer’s assistance dog, and caregivers is important for your parent’s safety and your well-being.
What Makes Alzheimer’s Care Challenging?
One thing that every family caregiver finds is that Alzheimer’s affects people differently. You might have a friend who’s dad is sweet and just likes to sit and hold hands and watch movies together. Your mom yells, pushes you away, storms off, hits, and throws tantrums that you’re not used to.
You may find your mom has great days and bad days. One day she knows who you are, but the next you’re a stranger and she wants you to leave. These changes are helpful as the assistance dog can sit with her to calm her mood swings.
Some people with Alzheimer’s tend to wander. Others don’t. If your mom does, the dog can go with her and help lead her back home or to a safe place. She gains a little more independence over being locked down somewhere that makes her feel trapped and anxious. You have peace of mind that there is a dog with her for comfort and assistance.
You Can’t Overlook Professional Caregivers
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, your mom won’t need too much help. As the disease progresses, she will. It’s best to set her up with caregivers as early as possible so that she has time to get to know them. If they’re familiar to her, she’s less likely to become anxious later on.
It also gives caregivers a chance to get to know her before her memories start slipping. Caregivers will have a good feel for what she likes and dislikes. They’ll know more about the family and be able to recall information from the past that can help draw your mom out of a moment of agitation.
Make arrangements for caregivers by calling a home care agency. Answer the questions, talk more about your mom’s needs, and arrange care so that your mom is supported and you have time for breaks.
For more information about hiring Home Care Services in La Jolla, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
- Four Providers Who Ease the Stress of Caring for a Chronically Ill Loved One - October 29, 2024
- Therapies Seniors May Need After a Stroke - October 22, 2024
- Keeping Psoriatic Arthritis from Triggering Other Issues - October 15, 2024
