As a family caregiver for an elderly adult, you know how important it is for you to give them the level of care that is right for their particular needs. This means both reacting to challenges and limitations that they are facing, and recognizing issues that might appear in the near future so that you can prepare both of you to handle it effectively. This can be especially true if your aging loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. This is a progressive disease, which means that your loved one’s symptoms, challenges, and limitations will change and increase as time passes. Knowing this and being prepared for these changes is critical to giving them the care that is right for them as they age in place.

Part of preparing for your parent’s care and ensuring that they get what they need throughout their progression is starting care early in the disease. While many people are diagnosed early in their disease and their symptoms are only mild, starting early can make a tremendous difference in how they manage this condition moving forward.

Some of the ways that starting care early in your parent’s Alzheimer’s journey can be beneficial include:

• Establishing a relationship. The idea of receiving care can be difficult for some seniors to accept, particularly if they are only very early in the disease and have not yet started exhibiting serious symptoms. Starting care early is a fantastic way to ease your parent into this type of arrangement and help them establish a relationship with a care provider so they feel more secure and comfortable as they receive more care moving forward.
• Managing potentially sensitive tasks. Elderly adults with Alzheimer’s disease will eventually need help with all forms of personal care tasks. Some of these difficulties can form relatively early in the disease, meaning that your parent will need help with potentially sensitive issues, which can be challenging for your loved one to accept. A care provider can ease into these tasks with your parent, managing the things that your parent would not be comfortable with you handling so they are taken care of effectively while easing emotional stress.
• Preparing for future symptoms. The progressive nature of Alzheimer’s disease means that they will experience increased symptoms and challenges. Having care early in their disease means that your parent and their care provider have the opportunity to prepare for future symptoms and put measures in place to handle them effectively so that each stage of the progression is smoother and less stressful.

If you have realized that the challenges of caring for your elderly parent as they progress through Alzheimer’s disease have become too extensive for you to handle effectively, your abilities or availability have changed, or you simply feel that they would benefit from more diverse care, now may be the ideal time for you to consider home care for them. Having a care provider in the home with your senior loved one can not only help the to live a higher quality of life as they age in place, but can also be a tremendous source of stress relief and peace of mind for you. A care provider can handle tasks that you are not able to handle, that you or your parent are not comfortable with you handling, or that need specific efforts to handle effectively. They can also be with your parent on a customized schedule to ensure that even if you live at a distance or are unable to be with your parent as often as you would want to be, you know that your loved one is getting everything that they need.

For more information about how the caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable caregivers in Coronado, CA, and the surrounding communities.

Sources:

http://www.alz.org/facts/

http://www.alz.org/norcal/in_my_community_18411.asp

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Brittnei Salerno

Owner at La Jolla Nurses Homecare

“My mother, Lorraine Salerno, founded La Jolla Nurses Homecare in 1977.

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.”

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