Caring for senior loved ones with dementia can be both rewarding and extremely exhausting. While we strive to do everything we can for them and want to be a part of their care as much as possible, it can start to take a toll on us. That is where home care for people with dementia can help. Having an in-home caregiver can help provide relief for family members and friends while at the same time providing personalized care and support for dementia patients within the comfort of their own homes. Professional home care workers, such as those with Visiting Angels Punta Gorda, can come into the home as much or as little as you like to help your senior loved one. They can supplement the care that family members offer, or family members can supplement the care they give. Home care workers also can help with specific tasks or all of the day-to-day tasks your senior needs.Here are some ways home care can help your senior loved one with dementia and also help family members on this care journey.Everyday NeedsProfessionals with home care agencies can help dementia patients with activities of daily living, including bathing, getting dressed and undressed each morning and night, grooming, using the toilet, eating and more. Often dementia patients resist showers. Home care workers skilled in working with memory loss patients can help them at least clean up each day. By helping with these tasks, they can help ensure their safety, health and hygiene are cared for. Home care workers can help them feel more like themselves throughout the day with brushed hair and teeth, clean clothes and a clean environment.SafetyWhile in-home caregivers are present in the home, they will help ensure your senior loved one suffering from dementia is safe. They can help ensure they dont wander from the home or leave the stove burner on after cooking something. If family members cannot always be there, home care workers can alert them to anything that might be a safety hazard, such as a loose rug, wobbly banister or door that your senior loved one keeps unlocking and trying to leave from. If your senior loved one needs more stability during their bathing, caregivers can let the family know they might need to install grab bars. They also can provide a steady hand for seniors and avoid any dangerous areas, such as cords, that could cause potential tripping hazards. Dementia patients may not remember to let their families know what they need or even be aware that it is a concern, so home care workers can provide an extra level of safety protection for them. CompanionshipHaving a homecare worker present can offer seniors with dementia constant companionship. People suffering from dementia often can become isolated or feel lonely, which can worsen their symptoms. Some symptoms of dementia include aggressiveness and/or crabbiness. Dementia patients have been known to push their family members away or to act hostile. A home care worker can provide companionship and support for senior citizens, especially when family members feel like retreating or that they need a break. They can listen to their stories, ask them questions and engage the patient in meaningful social activities to improve their emotional well-being.Relieving the familyThere is no doubt that caring for a loved one with dementia brings with it a ton of emotions and lots of stress. It also can place family members in situations they are not comfortable with. If children feel uncomfortable doing some of the caregiving for their parents, such as bathing or toileting, a home care worker can do the essentials so family members can simply spend time with them. They also can help with some of the more frustrating tasks so that family members dont lose patience and so that clients do not take out their frustration on their family members. Homecare workers also can provide respite care, which means family members can leave the home or caregiving duties for a short period of time. They can go out to coffee with a friend to refresh, have a nice dinner out without worrying about hurrying back to help their loved one, or they can even just take a peaceful nap at home with the help of respite care. Respite care can also provide short-term relief for a weekend away or an extended vacation.We Can HelpIf you are looking for help caring for your senior this spring and every season of the year, our professionals at Visiting Angels Punta Gorda are here to help. We provide a variety of home care services, including companion care, fall prevention and more. Our expert team of caregivers serves clients in Punta Gorda, North Fort Myers, Boca Grande, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Captiva, Arcadia and surrounding areas. To learn more about our services, call us at 941-347-8288, or contact us online.

CareAparent offers Occupational Therapy (OT) as part of a multidisciplinary approach to care in the home. This type of care can only be provided by medical personnel that is licensed and registered. Occupational Therapists in the home environment assist clients who may have pain, illness, injury or a decline in function due to the aging process by creating routines and strategies for managing daily activities safely and productively while reducing the risk of injury or further decline.Interdisciplinary Approach to SafetyRead Details: A CareAparent Occupational Therapist (OT) ... conducts an in-home health assessment to design a Plan of Care customized for you or your loved ones physical, emotional, and functional environment. Our Occupational Therapists will work with you to assess performance skills and identify the best strategies needed to promote independence and safety in the home.Cognition and Memory FunctionRead Details: Dementia and similar cognitive impairments... may put you or your loved one at a higher risk for accidents or injury in the home. Occupational Therapists can perform an evaluation to determine cognitive abilities. A Plan of Care is developed to provide the guidance and tools for improved functioning, adaptation, and continued independence.Chronic Disease ManagementRead Details: Chronic disease management relies on... recommending and implementing solutions that address disease related limitations in daily routines. Our Occupational Therapists can teach strategies to manage symptoms that may interfere with activities of daily living as well as the outcomes for prescribed solutions.Sensory ChallengesRead Details: Very often, sensory challenges like... vision loss and changes in speech can have an impact on our daily routine. CareAparents Occupational Therapists can propose solutions and techniques for challenges associated with vision and hearing loss or speech changes.Falls Prevention ProgramRead Details: Falls can threaten you or your loved... ones safety and independence and it could lead to hospitalization. CareAparents Falls Prevention program is designed to provide screening, instructions, practical interventions, and resources to address the risk for falling and create. awareness and strategies for avoiding falls. This can help prevent injuries and reduce emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and readmissions.Client Centered GoalsRead Details: As we age, daily self-care activities... can become burdensome and a risk to overall health. Certain personal cares or activities like using technology may require a higher level of mental and physical coordination that you may no longer have. Together, you and our Occupational Therapist will identify, collaborate, and set goals so you can acquire and maintain a skillset that promotes the management of any long-term conditions.Home SafetyRead Details: Inconspicuous risks to your physical safety... can go unnoticed in the home. Our Occupational Therapists perform home safety assessments to help identify factors that can address these risks. From their assessment, recommendations are made to you or your loved one to implement changes focused on a safe home environment.Download BrochureFor the most compassionate and comprehensive in-home senior care Minnesota has to offer call CareAparent today at 651-702-HOME (4663).  Request a Consultation Today! 

How Do I Pay for Home Care Services? When deciding on home care for yourself or someone you love, its important to consider and plan for the associated costs. Typically, the cost of using a home care company such as Homewatch CareGivers depends on how many hours of assistance are needed and whether there is a need for any special services.  How to Pay Caregivers: What Are Your Options? If you do not have enough private funds to cover the cost of in-home care, there may be other options to consider. Your local Homewatch CareGivers can provide more information about: Private Long-Term Care InsuranceMost private long-term care insurance policies can be used for home care services.  Private PayPrivate pay means an individual or their family will use existing savings and assets to cover the cost of home care services. VA Aid & AttendanceThis program provides monthly payments added to the amount of a monthly VA pension for Qualified Veterans and Survivors These funds can be used to pay for home care services.Workers CompensationProvides services to employees injured in the course of employment that may include bathing, using the bathrooms, preparing meals, light housekeeping, and medication reminders.  Other OptionsVarious grants and special funding may be available via local programs and projects, such as from your local/regional Area Agency on Aging, Alzheimers Association, etc. Options can vary by state, county, insurance plan, and eligibility. Not every Homewatch CareGivers office can process every type of payment source. If you or a loved one is in need of caregiving services, we encourage you to call us at (952) 260-6223 for more information regarding the cost of in-home care and financial options available.  Frequently Asked Questions about Paying for In-Home Care Whats the average cost of a caregiver? The cost of services is different for each client based on many factors. Learn more about the average cost of home care in specific areas by visiting this resource.  How much does the VA pay for in-home care? Depending on eligibility, the Veterans Administration Aid & Attendance Pension benefit may provide up to $1,794 per month for a veterans home care needs. Veterans spouses and survivors may also qualify for home care benefits.  Will Medicare pay for in-home care? At this time, Medicare Parts A and B only offer funding for medically necessary skilled nursing care for homebound individuals. Elective services such as companion care and personal care do not qualify.  Does Social Security pay for in-home care? Neither Supplemental Security Income (SSI) nor Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) will pay for home care services directly. However, Social Security benefits can be used to pay a home care provider.For further information, please call Homewatch Caregivers Edina at 952-260-6223.