Recognizing When 24-Hour Dementia Care Becomes Essential
Taking care of a loved one with dementia requires continuous adaptation to the person’s changing needs. As the disease advances, there comes a point when 24-hour dementia care becomes not just worthwhile but essential for ensuring the safety, well-being, and quality of life for the individual.
Listed below are key indicators that signal the appropriateness of transitioning to round-the-clock care:
Safety Concerns: One of the principal reasons behind considering 24-hour dementia care is an increase in safety concerns. Wandering, forgetting to turn off appliances, or experiencing challenges with activities of daily living increases the risk for injuries or accidents.
Sleep Disturbances: As dementia progresses, sleep patterns often become disrupted. Nighttime confusion, wandering, or agitation can lead to sleep deprivation for both the individual and you as their family caregiver, impacting overall health and well-being.
Inability to Perform Basic Tasks: When the person begins to struggle with basic tasks such as dressing, bathing, or eating, 24-hour care ensures regular support for these activities, promoting dignity and empowering the individual to maintain the highest possible quality of life.
Decline in Physical Health: Dementia can impact a person’s physical health, resulting in challenges with coordination, mobility, and self-care. Round-the-clock care ensures prompt help with any physical needs which could arise.
Medical Monitoring Requirements: Some people with dementia may have underlying health conditions that require regular monitoring. Continuous care allows for close observation of medical needs and timely intervention.
Frequent Hospitalizations: If the person is experiencing numerous hospitalizations as a result of complications linked to dementia, 24-hour care could be essential to provide consistent monitoring and preventive measures.
Communication Barriers: Advanced dementia often leads to communication challenges. Personal care attendants experienced in communicating with those with dementia can enhance the individual’s overall quality of life and minimize frustration.
Family Caregiver Burnout: The demands of providing care for a person with dementia can be overwhelming. If you’re experiencing exhaustion or any other signs and symptoms of family caregiver burnout or depression, it could be an indication that 24-hour care is needed.
Increased Behavioral Challenges: Aggression, agitation, or challenging behaviors may intensify as dementia progresses. Personal care attendants trained in managing these behaviors can provide a more secure environment and prevent potential harm.
Note that if the person’s behaviors are causing you or the individual to be at an increased risk of harm, it’s a good idea to check out care home options, where multiple caregivers are on hand to ensure everyone’s safety.
At Sage Home Care, we offer specialized dementia assistance from trained and experienced staff, customized to the needs of the individual. In the early stages of the disease, this could mean just a couple of hours of help and support. Once the disease progresses, we can increase the amount of assistance to ensure safety and comfort, up to and including around-the-clock assistance.
Contact us any time at 1-800-578-4554 for more information on our in-home dementia care programs in Katonah, Carmel, Brewster, or the surrounding communities.