Understanding the Different Stages of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Needs
ComForCare Home Care - Bonita Springs
Nov 05, 2024
Florida - Southwest
Email US
Click to Email Us
Discovering that you or your loved one has Alzheimer’s, or any other source of dementia, can send many thoughts through your mind. What should you do, what will this mean for the future, what adjustments are necessary, and more. The diagnosis is understandably overwhelming for the recipient and anyone close to them. Depending on what stage someone is at, they may benefit from professional care as soon as possible.
If you think you or a loved one may benefit from at-home dementia care, contact us. We will work to match you with the right at-home care professionals. If you would rather learn more first, read below.
Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care 101
For those who have never known anyone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, there may be confusion surrounding what sets this specific care apart from other forms. To understand the difference, it is important to understand these diseases first.
Alzheimer’s is a specific disease that causes dementia due to the ongoing brain damage it causes. Dementia—though often synonymous with memory loss—is a term for a group of symptoms which encompass various aspects of cognitive decline.
Care strategies for people with these diagnoses entails a care professional with a deeper knowledge of these diseases, as well as methods to lessen symptom severity. The Alzheimer’s Association provides a useful breakdown of these stages that we will use to help you understand care needs at every step of the way.
It is important to keep in mind that these stages are general guidelines, not hard boundaries, for disease progression. There can be a fair bit of overlap amongst stages depending on how far the disease has progressed.
Early-Stage—Will Alzheimer Care Be Necessary?
Someone in this stage of the disease may remain undetected/undiagnosed, especially if they are the first in the family to develop it. Even people who know what to look for could end up missing this stage and the opportunity to start dementia care early.
In this stage you might see:
- Trouble with higher order tasks like complex work functions, social situations, planning out actions, or organizing thoughts.
- Difficulty with word retrieval, typically mid-sentence. This will happen with names as well, especially those of new people.
- Reading and immediately forgetting what was just read.
- Losing items frequently that were never an issue before (wallet, keys, etc.).
In this stage, care would be relatively hands-off. One of the main concerns would be ensuring the care recipient’s independence is preserved as much as possible. The type of care that is most helpful in this stage would be helping the recipient stay up to date with any pressing needs, as well as getting any treatment necessary to slow disease progression.
Middle-Stage—What Carers for Dementia Can Do to Help
This stage is the longest out of the three, which is why you may see overlap between stages. At this point, someone might experience:
- Memory loss, including personal information (address, phone number, etc.), important events, current location, the day of the week, and more.
- Changes in mood and personality, due to damage to the frontal lobe.
- Trouble with activities of daily living, including going to the bathroom (due to bladder and bowel issues), getting dressed, cooking, and bathing.
While not everyone in this stage will need 24-hour care, they will likely benefit from it. At-home dementia care in this stage would focus on preserving quality of life through support of daily self-maintenance tasks.
One exceptional care option is ComForCare’s DementiaWise program. This program offers extensive support to individuals suffering from dementia, regardless of what type. Another aspect that makes it unique is the support it provides family members as well; our staff provides family members with education on dementia and its symptoms, as well as strategies on how to cope with this significant change.
Late-Stage—How to Care for Dementia Patients with Advanced Disease Progression
When Alzheimer’s or dementia enters the late stage, it usually indicates that there is now extensive brain damage. This typically correlates to significant impairment, such as:
- Cognitive withdrawal; people at this stage may begin to lose awareness of their surroundings or current reality.
- Physical decline in ability and their immune system.
- Trouble with speech and swallowing.
People at this stage should have consistent, round-the-clock care. The priority should be the care recipient’s comfort, which is why many loved ones also look into palliative care options.
Finding At-Home, Long-Term Care for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients That You Can Trust
If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s or dementia, staying vigilant and proactive are your best ways of ensuring you can identify and address a diagnosis quickly. If your family is going through the changes of a recent diagnosis, it's common to be overwhelmed with what to do next.
At ComForCare, we know how to make this transition easier on both you and your diagnosed loved one. Contact us today to discuss your care options – let’s start making a plan that works best for you or your loved one.
- To view the original version of this article visit www.comforcare.com/blog/understanding-the-different-stages-of-alzheimers-and-dementia-care-needs_ae369.html
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
Other Articles You May Like
Holiday Visits: Prepare the Home, Protect Your Peace
A warm welcome doesn't require a perfect house. Whether family is coming for an afternoon or staying a few nights, a little planning now can make holiday gatherings more comfortable for everyone.1. Have the conversation earlyConfirm dates, overnight arrangements, food preferences, and any mobility needs. Let guests know what works for you, including visit length and quiet time.2. Create a comfortable place to landFresh linens, a clear bedside surface, and an easy-to-reach lamp can make a guest space feel welcoming. No guest room? Agree on sleeping arrangements ahead of time.3. Make movement easierClear hallways and stairs, secure or remove loose rugs, and check lighting between sleeping areas and bathrooms. Keep frequently used items within comfortable reach.4. Put safety before tidinessStore medications securely, especially when children are visiting. Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions, and keep exits clear.5. Share the hostingInvite family to bring a dish, help with cleanup, or organize an activity. Keep meals simple and make room for breaks. Being together matters more than doing everything yourself.6. Make space for connectionSet out a few family photos, plan a favorite game, or ask guests to share a memory. Often, the simplest traditions are the ones everyone remembers.
A New Chapter Deserves a Thoughtful Beginning.
A New Chapter Deserves a Thoughtful Beginning.Choosing a senior living community is an important life decision. But what happens between making that decision and feeling truly settled?At Silk Road Connection, we work directly for you and your family, providing personalized planning, professional coordination, and oversight of the many details involved in transitioning to senior living.Our goal is simple: Less stress for families. More time to enjoy what comes next.Founder-Directed Team DeliveredSchedule a complimentary consultation. [email protected] silkroadconnection.org
Local Services By This Author
ComForCare Home Care- Bonita Springs
Home HealthComForCare is a premier provider of in-home care with locations in U.S. and Canada. Our personalized care plans and compassionate caregivers help seniors live independently in their own home and continue to do all the things they love.We serve in any setting you call home, whether it is a private home, independent or assisted living community or skilled care facility.ComForCare Home Care- Bonita Springs provides in-home care services including Alzheimer's disease and dementia care, personal care, respite care for families, transition of care after a hospital or rehabilitation stay, chronic disease management, transportation, medication reminders, light housekeeping & laundry, shopping and errands, safety supervision, companionship and much more. Our services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from compassionate caregivers who are experienced, trained, bonded and insured.The ComForCare mission is to improve the quality of life and level of independence for every client and family receiving our services.Preserve Quality of Life with Home Care ServiceComForCare offers a variety of in-home care services to fit the needs of you and your family. It is our goal to provide companionship and help with everyday activities to ensure your elderly loved ones can live safely and securely. Whether your loved ones health concerns are due to illness, injury, or aging, our personal home care packages and flexible scheduling allow your loved one to maintain a sense of freedom, dignity, and connection to friends and family. Seniors who choose to stay at home are often happier, healthier, and recover faster from illness or injury than those living in assisted living facilities. ComForCare is independent living with a little extra help! Experience True CaregivingOur health care professionals are not only highly qualified, but they are also highly compassionate and love what they do. Caregivers who meet our high standards and strict guidelines are screened for empathy, trained in senior care, and matched with clients based on their experience, skills, and compatibility. This unique approach to elder care provides the foundation for a trusted relationship between your loved one and the caregiver, and a long-lasting partnership in care between you and ComForCare. Dedicated Personal Care Tailored to YOUFrom certified nursing assistants to respite care to companionship, our care providers give you just what you need to live your best life. As an alternative to rehab outpatient centers and nursing homes, our home healthcare agency makes daily living easier. Team members partner with family caregivers and patients to develop a custom-tailored care plan. ComForCare's personal care services include non-medical care like grocery shopping, bathing assistance, medication reminders, transportation to doctors appointments, and other companion care. We can also help prepare meals and provide support with household chores on an as-needed basis, as well as incorporate specialized memory care for those with dementia or Alzheimers disease.
ComForCare Home Care- Bonita Springs
Non-MedicalComForCare is a premier provider of in-home care with locations in U.S. and Canada. Our personalized care plans and compassionate caregivers help seniors live independently in their own home and continue to do all the things they love.We serve in any setting you call home, whether it is a private home, independent or assisted living community or skilled care facility.ComForCare Home Care- Bonita Springs provides in-home care services including Alzheimer's disease and dementia care, personal care, respite care for families, transition of care after a hospital or rehabilitation stay, chronic disease management, transportation, medication reminders, light housekeeping & laundry, shopping and errands, safety supervision, companionship and much more. Our services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from compassionate caregivers who are experienced, trained, bonded and insured.The ComForCare mission is to improve the quality of life and level of independence for every client and family receiving our services.Preserve Quality of Life with Home Care ServiceComForCare offers a variety of in-home care services to fit the needs of you and your family. It is our goal to provide companionship and help with everyday activities to ensure your elderly loved ones can live safely and securely. Whether your loved ones health concerns are due to illness, injury, or aging, our personal home care packages and flexible scheduling allow your loved one to maintain a sense of freedom, dignity, and connection to friends and family. Seniors who choose to stay at home are often happier, healthier, and recover faster from illness or injury than those living in assisted living facilities. ComForCare is independent living with a little extra help! Experience True CaregivingOur health care professionals are not only highly qualified, but they are also highly compassionate and love what they do. Caregivers who meet our high standards and strict guidelines are screened for empathy, trained in senior care, and matched with clients based on their experience, skills, and compatibility. This unique approach to elder care provides the foundation for a trusted relationship between your loved one and the caregiver, and a long-lasting partnership in care between you and ComForCare. Dedicated Personal Care Tailored to YOUFrom certified nursing assistants to respite care to companionship, our care providers give you just what you need to live your best life. As an alternative to rehab outpatient centers and nursing homes, our home healthcare agency makes daily living easier. Team members partner with family caregivers and patients to develop a custom-tailored care plan. ComForCare's personal care services include non-medical care like grocery shopping, bathing assistance, medication reminders, transportation to doctors appointments, and other companion care. We can also help prepare meals and provide support with household chores on an as-needed basis, as well as incorporate specialized memory care for those with dementia or Alzheimers disease.