Dementia can make it unsafe for your elderly loved one to live alone. While people with dementia can have moments of lucidity, their behavior may be unpredictable. This means that they can seem lucid for a short period of time, and then soon after, become profoundly confused, agitated, and fearful. Because of this, their safety and well-being may be at risk if they live alone. A 24-hour home care provider can help ensure that your loved one with dementia stays safe and well-cared for while they enjoy the comforts of living in their own home. Here are some interventions you and your aging family member can expect from the 24-hour home care professional. 

Monitoring For Sundowning

Some dementia patients develop a syndrome known as sundowning. This refers to the confusion and mood changes that occur during the night, or when "the sun goes down." Dementia patients who experience sundowning are at risk of wandering away from the home in the middle of the night. It is not uncommon for the dementia patient to explain the reason that they wandered out of the home was because they "were going to work."

The 24-hour home care services provider can monitor your loved one's whereabouts at all times. If the individual is at risk of wandering away from the home, falling down the stairs, or otherwise getting into harm's way, the caregiver will gently redirect them back to safety.

Help With Activities Of Daily Living 

Dementia patients may lose interest in washing, putting on clean clothes, combing their hair, brushing their teeth, and even eating. These activities are called activities of daily living, or ADLs. The 24-hour home care provider will ensure that your loved one remains well-groomed, wears clean clothes, and goes to the bathroom in a timely manner.

If the dementia patient has incontinent episodes of urine or stool, the caregiver will clean the patient's perineal skin as soon as possible to help prevent skin breakdown and then change their clothes. The caregiver will do this in a very kind and nonchalant manner to help preserve the patient's dignity and to prevent embarrassment. It is important to note, that despite dementia diagnosis, some patients are not confused all the time. Many people with dementia are aware of their surroundings and are very lucid at times. 

If your senior loved one with dementia needs assistance at home, consider hiring a 24-hour home care services provider. When dementia patients are well-cared for at home, they may be better prepared to cope with their challenging situations and it will also provide their families with the peace of mind they deserve.

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