If your senior parent has Alzheimer’s and you are taking care of them it’s easy to get overwhelmed by trying to help them do things like a shower, get dressed, and get ready for the day each day. There are some techniques that you and their home care providers can use that will make these tasks easier and less stressful for both of you. The most important thing when you’re helping a senior parent with Alzheimer’s is to keep your tone light and neutral.

Home Care Warren NJ – Tips For Dressing A Senior Parent With Alzheimer’s

Your senior loved one may not always understand what you’re asking of them or what you’re trying to do. If you are impatient or frustrated they will hear it in your voice and that can make them upset because they want to please you.

Some other things that you can do to make dressing a parent with Alzheimer’s easier are:

Get Home Care Services

Home care that specializes in Alzheimer’s care can make your life and your senior loved one’s life a lot easier. Home care providers that are trained to do things like help seniors with dementia shower, use the bathroom, get dressed, and eat are helpful. There are techniques that have been proven to work that make those tasks easier on your senior parent and an Alzheimer’s care provider knows those techniques. Home care also gives family members a break from doing the awkward and sometimes difficult tasks that their senior parent needs to have help with.

Label Everything

To make it easier to choose clothes for your senior parent and to allow them to help in the decision of what they want to wear label all dresser drawers and storage bins with what items of clothing are inside. Then you can help your senior loved one choose an outfit for the day by having them select one item from each drawer to put together and make an outfit. Or you can ask them to pick out a shirt they want to wear and they can choose one from the drawer that has a shirt label on it.

Encourage Them To Do As Much As They Can By Themselves

If your senior loved one is able to do some of the tasks that must be done to get dressed let them do the things they can do. Maybe they can’t pull up the zipper on their pants but they can pull a shirt over their head. Or maybe they need help with their socks but they can put on shoes. Encourage them to do any tasks they can do easily even if it means that the process of getting dressed takes longer.

Use Adaptive Devices

If your senior parent is taller than you or is heavy and you have trouble helping them with certain tasks because of their size use adaptive devices to make it easier. There are adaptive devices that will help seniors do things like put on their socks, button a shirt, or pull on underwear. Those devices can be a big help.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Home Care Services in Warren NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris, and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.

Back in 2020, it was estimated that 5.8 million Americans had Alzheimer’s disease. Two years later, that estimate has grown by 700,000 people. Alzheimer’s is a prevalent health condition that impacts more and more families every year. Your dad has Alzheimer’s. It’s still in the early stages, but your family is getting prepared. Now is a great time to discuss the benefits of personal care at home services.

Personal Care at Home Berkeley Heights NJ – Get the Help Your Family Needs to Handle Alzheimer’s

Family caregivers often struggle to balance their jobs with their parents’ care needs. Add in the need to visit friends, run errands, and have time for self-care, it’s a lot to handle. You might be teaming up with your brothers and sisters to cover your dad’s needs, but there are gaps when you have to leave your dad alone.

Personal care at home services is exactly what you need. Focus on yourself without leaving your dad alone all day. Learn more about the services that caregivers offer to ensure your dad is supported as Alzheimer’s progresses.

What Does Personal Care at Home Cover?

Right now, your dad may be okay at home alone. He’s not finding it too hard to do his normal daily activities. That can change quickly. He might go to take a nap and forget he was cooking scrambled eggs. A fire breaks out, and he’s in bed with his door closed. That’s just one possible scenario.

He’s used to going for a walk each afternoon. One day, your dad is out and nothing looks familiar. He doesn’t recognize his house. He’s lost and keeps walking hoping he’ll remember how to get home. Not every person with Alzheimer’s wanders and gets lost, but many do.

When you hire personal care at home aides, your dad has someone to supervise his activities. If he’s cooking dinner, he has a caregiver for cueing. His caregiver reminds him to stir his eggs, take them off the burner, and put them on a plate.

Caregivers can join him for walks. If he gets lost, his companion shows him how to get back home. You’re not at work constantly checking cameras or calling him to make sure he’s safe. It’s one of the most important reasons to arrange daily home care services.

Family Caregivers Also Gain Support

Personal care at home allows you to take breaks as a family caregiver. You don’t have to be the only one caring for your dad. You can visit friends, sleep in, or go to work without worrying about your dad being at home alone.

It’s also helpful having someone skilled in Alzheimer’s home care assisting your dad with his household chores. He has a caregiver to ensure he moves the wash load into the dryer before it sits too long. Your dad’s caregivers help with housework, errands, transportation, and organization. Call our agency to discuss prices for personal care at home services.

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm
https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Personal Care at Home Services in Berkeley Heights NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris, and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.

Does your elderly loved one have dementia? If so, you may be trying to think of all the ways that you can make things better with them or for them. One of the things that might be on your mind is how you interact with your elderly loved one and how they interact with you. The good news is there are numerous tips that can help you and their personal care at home providers to make dementia interactions more productive and better in general.

Staying Calm

Personal Care at Home Bernardsville NJ – Dementia Interactions: How to Make Them Better

The number one thing that you should do when interacting with your elderly loved one if they have dementia is to stay calm. People who have this disease aren’t able to control their emotions like you can. They get irritable and are more sensitive to random things throughout the day. If you can stay calm when your elderly loved one is being irritable, it could help them to calm down quicker. If you feel on edge, it could be a good idea to take time off from taking care of your elderly loved one, even if it is just for an afternoon. You can have personal care at home providers fill in for you.

Approaching Properly

How do you generally approach your elderly loved one? Do you notice that they often get upset if you talk behind them or if they can’t see you when you are speaking? If so, it may be helpful to know that approaching your elderly loved one differently could change the interactions you have with them. In fact, studies show that approaching someone who has dementia from in front of them, can help them to stay calmer throughout your interactions. Now that you know this, you may want to start changing how you walk up to or talk to your elderly loved one.

Asking One Thing at a Time

Have you noticed when you talk to your elderly loved one they get overwhelmed? For example, if you ask your elderly loved one to do something, are you asking them to do multiple things at a time. You might ask them to pick up a plate, put it in the sink, and put something else away. People who have dementia can’t easily process too many directions at once. Later in the disease, it is impossible for them to do this. The interactions you have with your elderly loved one would go better if you ask them to do one thing at a time. If there are tasks that you or personal care at home providers can do to help your elderly loved one, that would be helpful, as well.

Having You and Personal Care at Home Services Trying These Tips

These are some of the ways that you can make interactions with someone who has dementia more productive and generally better. If you haven’t been doing these things, try doing even one of them. See how much it positively impacts your elderly loved one.

Sources: https://www.nia.nih.gov/about/living-long-well-21st-century-strategic-directions-research-aging/research-suggests-positive

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Personal Care at Home Services in Bernardsville NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.

A lot of the time, it can be difficult to connect with someone who has dementia. This is a disease that changes one’s brain. It affects their language skills, understanding, and many other aspects of communication. However, this does not mean you and others can’t connect with someone who has this disease. In fact, there are many tips that can help you and their elder care aides connect more with someone who has this disease.

Elder Care Bernardsville NJ – Tips to Help You and Others Connect More with Someone That Has Dementia

Living in the Here and Now

One of the most important things to remember when you want to communicate with someone who has dementia is that you need to live in the here and now. Your elderly loved one can’t remember many things from the past. They may have forgotten all about that family trip you took with them 20 years ago. Do your best not to feel upset about this. Focus on the here and now. Enjoy the time you get to spend with your elderly loved one. Talk to them about doing a puzzle today or how they are feeling right now.

Revisiting the Past Sometimes

While you should stay in the present with your elderly loved one, sometimes, it is alright to revisit the past with them. For instance, your elderly loved one might remember something from their early adult years or even their childhood, but they may not remember the last 20 years or so. If your elderly loved one wants to revisit the past that they do remember, you can do that with them for a bit.

Listening to Some Music

Music is a great way for you to connect with your elderly loved one. Research shows that music crosses many generational lines. Your elderly loved one can listen to music with you, their grandchildren, their caregivers, and others in their life. You should encourage them to listen to a variety of music. This can expand their mind and help boost their mood, as well.

Have Their Children or Pets Visit

Another way for your elderly loved one to connect is by having them spend time with their children. Their children are important to them. Even if they can’t fully remember who they are, these visits can be very important. If their children can’t visit with them often enough, you may want to consider getting them a pet.

These are just some tips that can help you and their elder care providers to connect more with someone who has dementia. By doing these things, you can keep your elderly loved one in touch with others. You can help them maintain their communication skills for as long as possible. In addition, you will have ways to communicate with your elderly loved one, too.

Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20047540
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-caregiving-changes-communication-skills

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Elder Care Services in Bernardsville NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.

Anosognosia with Alzheimer’s disease can be a frustrating and frightening thing for you as a family caregiver. Impacting more than 46 percent of those in the mild to moderate stages of the disease, and up to 91 percent of those in the moderate to advanced stages of the disease, anosognosia is a lack of insight and awareness that makes it impossible for them to accurately perceive that they have Alzheimer’s disease, and recognize the changes and limitations that have occurred as a result of it. This means they are not able to understand why they need care or assistance, and can even become angry or resentful when you attempt to care for them.

Home Care Services Bernardsville NJ – What Are the Signs Your Senior Might be Struggling with Anosognosia?

By recognizing and acknowledging when your parent is struggling with this condition you can better gauge their functioning, modify your care efforts and adjust your approach to your parent to maximize the benefits of care, and reduce the chance of negative response.

Some signs your senior might be struggling with anosognosia with Alzheimer’s disease include:

• No longer keeping up with regular tasks, and not seeming to notice that they have not done important things, such as showering or changing their clothing.
• Exhibiting new difficulty with money or paying bills, but not acknowledging this difficulty, or recognizing that they have it. For example, they may not pay their electric bill and then not understand why the service was cut off, or they may write a huge check and then not understand why their bank account is overdrawn.
• Becoming less inhibited when they are talking, and saying inappropriate things, but not knowing what they said is inappropriate.
• Becoming confused when you or a home care services provider arrives to care for them, and not understanding why you want to help them with certain tasks.
• Getting angry and defensive when you bring to their attention that they haven’t done something or that they have done something incorrectly.
• Making up elaborate excuses for why they have or have not done something, or for their behaviors.

When you learn your aging parent is living with Alzheimer’s disease, you will immediately be faced with difficult, but vital, decisions. One of the most meaningful you can make for them is to start home care services. Having the customized services of a home care services provider as a part of your care routine from as early in the progression as possible can be a valuable step in supporting your parent’s quality of life, as well as their health.

Home care services such as help with activities of daily living, assistance with housekeeping, medication reminders, meal preparation, transportation, companionship, and more allow your parent to manage their Alzheimer’s challenges and say safe and healthy while also encouraging them to maintain as much independence as they can throughout their progression with the disease.

Source:  https://www.laurawayman.com/blog/the-top-warning-signs-of-anosognosia

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Home Care Services in Bernardsville NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.

Many people who have dementia find themselves engaging in repetitive activities out of boredom or restlessness. If this happens often for your senior, you might want to add deliberation to repetitive activities.

Homecare New Providence NJ – What Types of Repetitive Activities Might Be Helpful for an Aging Adult with Dementia?

Some of these might be fun to try.

Sorting Objects

Sorting like items together can be very soothing and it ties in to the repetitive action your senior might enjoy. Some of the types of items that you can have her sort could include dried pasta, coins, blocks, or keys. You can try all sorts of items, really, as long as they’re not a danger to your aging adult.

Folding Washcloths and Smaller Clothing

Folding clothing and towels can be a great repetitive activity and it helps you with the laundry. Clothing or other laundry that is too big might be too much for your senior depending on her condition, though. Stick with smaller items that are easy to fold. She might enjoy matching up and folding socks, for example, or washcloths. You might even want to save these items specifically for your aging adult.

Helping with Food Preparation

While food preparation as a whole might not be enjoyable or doable for your senior, smaller tasks might be. Tasks such as sorting silverware or stirring a pot could be exactly in line with what she’s able to do. See where her limits are and then save some of those tasks just for her.

Stringing Objects

Stringing beads or other items onto a piece of twine can keep your senior occupied for a while. You can actually make things such as necklaces or bracelets with her or even create snacks for animals and birds outside. If your senior just enjoys the process, you can string and unstring the same items over and over again.

Playing with Bubbles

Everything doesn’t have to be about a finished project, though. Some repetitive activities, such as playing with bubbles, can be just for fun. Try varying the sizes of the bubbles to shake things up while you and your senior play.

Make a list of the repetitive activities that your senior enjoys and share it with homecare providers and other family members. That way they know how they can help your senior when she’s feeling agitated or restless.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Homecare Services in New Providence NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.

Elderly Care in Union County NJ: Keeping a Loved One Safe at Home with Dementia

A major concern of family caregivers who have a loved one at home with dementia is how do I keep them safe when I’m not there? One of the biggest concerns is wandering.

What is Wandering?

Wandering occurs when those with dementia leave their home or familiar surroundings in search of something else that even they may not be able to define. They may be feeling restless, or lost, or anxious. They may be in search of something or someone. When it occurs, it can leave a family panicked. There are, however, steps you can take to help keep your loved one safe and at home or quickly able to locate them should they leave unexpectedly.

GPS Tracking

Thanks to modern conveniences, it is easy to keep track of people in their daily life. There are devices specifically designed for those that may wander. Not only do they keep track of their location, but a boundary can be pre-set. When they venture out of this designated space, their caregiver is notified. Some personal emergency response systems, which are usually worn as a pendant around their neck or wrist, also have GPS capability.

Alarms and Video Monitors

Install video and audio monitors or simple door alarms that let you know when a door or window has been opened. There are floor mat alarms that let you know when your parent has gotten out of bed or up from their favorite recliner.

Identification and Neighbors

Do your best to place identification on them, whether an ID bracelet or a pendent. Use whatever object they will have the least tendency to remove. Request help from a neighbor and ask if they can be placed on a call list so that, should you receive notification that your parent has left the house, someone is close by to respond.

Activities and Routine

Those with dementia require routine and activity. Routine gives them a structured environment that they can count on and activity keeps them busy and occupied which reduces agitation. Exercise is important to incorporate into their daily schedule. Refrain from taking them to places where there are a lot of people, noise or extraneous activity. A simple, quiet environment with low stress is best for those with dementia.

Supervision

If possible, set up a support team that can provide care for your parent when you can’t be there. Throw your net wide to include friends, family, and neighbors. If you need additional support, consider an elderly care provider. These professionals have cared for numerous seniors facing these same challenges. They can assist with the daily activities of living as well as provide that all-important companionship which will become increasingly important as the years go by.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional elderly care in Union County, NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.