Can Alzheimer’s Patients Be Cared for at Home?

Alzheimer’s patients can be cared for at home, and many families choose this option to provide a familiar and comfortable environment for their loved ones. However, caring for someone with Alzheimer’s at home requires significant commitment and resources. Caregivers often need to seek support from healthcare professionals, join support groups, and possibly arrange for in-home health services to manage the challenges that come with the disease’s progression.

Based on the individual and their family’s capacity for care, home care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s might not be the best option. Depending on your family’s unique situation, a Memory Care neighborhood at a senior living community can be more beneficial.

Typical Requirements for Caring for a Loved One With Alzheimer’s at Home

Home care for Alzheimer’s patients involves adapting the living space to meet their needs, implementing structured routines, and ensuring safety measures are in place to prevent accidents. It also involves providing emotional support and stimulation through activities and social interactions tailored to their abilities and interests.

If you’re caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s in your home, you’ll likely have to make one or more of the following adjustments:

Safe environment: You’ll have to remove hazards that might trigger falls and install grab bars in some areas of the home. You may also need safety locks on potentially dangerous areas or a monitoring device for your loved one.

Structured routine: Establish a structured routine encompassing consistent schedules for meals, bathing, and activities to foster stability. Additionally, prioritize effective medication management, ensuring timely administration even in the face of reluctance or refusal.

Health and nutrition: Providing nutritious meals and managing medications are crucial when caring for an Alzheimer’s patient. Beyond nutritious meals, you may need to modify these types of foods as some people start to struggle with feeding themselves.

Emotional support: It is great for those with Alzheimer’s disease to be around others with Alzheimer’s as well, helping create new friends. Alzheimer’s patients need engaging activities and social interaction that enhance well-being. Some common examples are listening to music, gardening, and crafts.

It’s also essential to assess your loved one’s needs regularly and adjust the care plan as the disease progresses.

Memory Care: The Alternative to Home Care for Alzheimer’s Patients

When caring for your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia becomes too difficult to maintain at home, we suggest moving your loved one into a Memory Care neighborhood at a senior living community. A Memory Care neighborhood is designed to stimulate the mind and help retain and strengthen the cognitive abilities the individual has to help cultivate a sense of pride and self-worth.

Memory Care neighborhoods are communities created to care for individuals with forms of dementia, including but not limited to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Lewy body. All recommendations mentioned above are provided within all Memory Care neighborhoods at Sancerre communities. 

Memory Care neighborhoods provide comprehensive support, including personal care services, medication management, and various health and social activities, all in a residential setting. Many senior living communities have specialized Memory Care neighborhoods designed to meet the needs of residents with forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Lewy body. Memory Care neighborhoods typically offer:

Enhanced security to prevent wandering, a common symptom in middle-to-late stages of Alzheimer’s

Structured environments with routines that help reduce confusion and agitation

Specialized activities tailored to maintain cognitive functions for as long as possible

Trained staff equipped to handle the unique challenges of dementia care, including behavior management and communication techniques

Secure outdoor areas to give Memory Care residents a place to connect with nature and relax, and alleviate stress and anxiety

Sancerre Senior Living Communities Can Help Your Family With These Decisions

Our team manages personalized memory care programs to provide peace of mind in a safe and nurturing environment. This approach enables individuals experiencing cognitive changes to reach their full potential. Knowing that your loved one is receiving expert memory care from dedicated professionals eases the burden of worry for family members and loved ones.

If you’re unsure what the best living option is for your loved one with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, our team of senior living experts can help. Call us today at 855-220-7477 or contact us via our online form to get more information.

Sancerre communities offering Memory Care support:

• Sancerre Atlee Station in Mechanicsville, Virginia
• Sancerre at Palm Coast in Palm Coast, Florida
• Sancerre at Orange City in Orange City, Florida