A few years ago, a friend of mine went through the loss of his mother to Alzheimer’s disease. I remember talking to him after the funeral, and he noted that while his mother’s death was the hardest thing he had ever faced, he was happy for his mother who had already had wonderful home Alzheimer’s care in the months leading up to her death. All I can do is smile weakly and hug him. But later, I started to really think about what he said.
Even after experiencing the worst pain he had ever experienced in his life, my friend had peace of mind knowing that the care his mother received while she was at home in her final months was invaluable. I finally understood what he meant because I remember the year or so before I was hired as a home care attendant who was incredibly nervous. My friend and his family seemed at odds about everything to do with their mother, and sadly, his mother, though the disease had taken her by a great number, felt responsible for making life more difficult for her children. This revelation alone was devastating for everyone. Unfortunately, this was only the beginning. Perhaps the hardest thing for everyone to realize is that they can’t handle the role of a caregiver.
We remember how our parents were there for us through all the big events in our lives, and hope we’ll be able to repay them in some way down the road. Sometimes, though, it’s not that easy or possible. But don’t let that break you. Alzheimer’s will test everyone’s limits, and the last thing you need to do is get frustrated early in the game.
If you and your family are trying to decide if home Alzheimer’s care is the best route, consider this:
Accidents and injuries Are you starting to see more accidents that happen when you are not there to help? Is the risk of injury, especially its severity, increasing day by day?
wandering – Whether it’s while you’re out grocery shopping or during family gatherings, does your loved one wander away? Is the likelihood of this behavior higher when they are alone?
Appropriate care cannot be provided Do you have to adjust work and school schedules to have your “shift” at your loved one’s home? Do you remove yourself from social activities? Do your communications with others only include other family members about who is going on which date?
Alzheimer’s symptoms worsen We often think of Alzheimer’s disease as a disease that makes you forgetful, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Over time, even with medication, the disease takes its toll. At some point, you and your family will not be able to properly care for your loved one. Are you at this point?
There really is no place like home, which is why when you start considering the possibility of hiring a home care worker, you should think about the enormous benefits of Alzheimer’s home care. We may not know what tomorrow holds for our loved ones as they deal with this terrible disease, but what we can do is do our best to find the right people to provide the best possible care for our loved ones in an environment that gives them peace of mind.