People living with dementia need to face a whole lot of challenges daily. Most of the time it is best to keep them in their own home because any change in the surrounding environment can trigger angry outbursts, confusion and stress. The best way to ensure this is the case is to go with a live-in care service. 

Live-in care is something that can greatly help you and your relatives with dementia. Instead of you having to worry constantly about care, you can arrange for a professional carer to live with the seniors with dementia and deal with their needs. This is part of a live-in care service package, which you can get from an agency that specialises in this sort of service. The most important thing to remember is that you should consider asking some essential questions before you arrange things: 

• What sort of special equipment will you need? – sometimes, a senior with dementia will require certain nursing equipment, to make their life easier around the house. If they don’t get up from bed all that often, it will be helpful to get them a hospital bed. That way they can adjust positions easily, as the carer can then operate the bed. If the person is having mobility issues, then perhaps the carer can recommend a walking frame, or a stairlift installed somewhere to enable better results. A mobile commode is also a useful tool to have if the person cannot easily move about their home. Such tools can greatly help with the care, and enable better living for a person with dementia. 
  
  
• How to keep the person safe? – it is no secret that people with dementia often wander outside of their homes, which is a major risk of them getting lost. They get the sundowners syndrome, which affects them during the later hours of the day. There are various things to consider, to minimise the risk, such as keeping the door locked at all times. You can also consider an alarm next to the door, which can alert their caregiver when the person wanders outside. An alarm can also be installed next to the bed, to alert the carer if the person gets up at night. 
  
  
• What is the level of experience of the carer? – it is important for the carer to have some experience in working with people with dementia. The caregiver needs to be aware of the condition and the fact that people who suffer from dementia cannot properly recognize the dangers around them. They get irritated, confused, angry and the person needs to be able to reduce the stressors for them, to minimise angry outbursts. The carer must be able to settle the person down, even when they get confused and angry. This is only achievable through sufficient training and experience, which you need to ensure the carer has. 
  
  
• What facilities will the carer need? – because live-in care means living with the person in need of assistance, the carer will surely need their own room. A bed, a TV and Internet access is what they will undoubtedly need at all times. Because the person will also be eating in the home of the person with dementia, it is worth it to consider dining facilities. At times it may be useful if the carer has access to a vehicle that they can use to go out and about with the person with dementia. 
  
  

These are all important considerations and questions to ask when you arrange live-in care for a senior with dementia. Make sure to do so, to make the most of the service. 

© Home Care Preferred Barnet

In Lakewood, Home Care Assistance is the leading provider of reliable home care. Families can reach out to us for unparallel live-in and respite care. Our caregivers are highly trained and can help your aging loved one accomplish daily tasks including personal grooming, physical and social activities to boost mental wellbeing, and focus on living a healthier lifestyle. Our teams of caregivers are licensed and insured. There are no hidden charges and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts. To schedule a free consultation or to know more about our home care, Lakewood families can call us at (303) 987-5992.

                                               

Geared to people working in a dementia setting, but there are certainly take-aways for families as well. "Professor Albert Mhebrabian, known for his pioneering work in the field of human communication, discovered that the meaning of our words is mainly communicated non-verbally. He found that only 7% of communication comes through words, 38% through voice and the way words are spoken, and 55% through body language, including facial expression and eye contact. Thus, 93% of communication does not rely upon spoken words. Non-verbal communication skills are far more effective than verbal skills! People with dementia slowly lose the ability to use and interpret words, but they still know how to communicate non-verbally." p. 41Speaking skills- Make contact.- Ask the right question. "Instead of asking, "Would you like...?" you say, "Earl, I have come to invite you to an outing. I would like you to be my guest." Think about the difference between being asked versus being invited. An invitation implies that you are special and that you are needed. ... Keep in mind that it is not enough to get the wording right -- you need to truly mean what you say when you extend an invitation. - Choose positive words. "Never say, 'Do you remember me?' Or even worse, 'Don't you remember me?' Instead, begin with a proper introduction, ... then state your purpose... You may continue on a cheerful note by saying, 'I am so glad to see you,' instead of asking 'How are you?'- Use simple words and a slow pace. - Use different sensory cues. - Use reminiscence. "Never ask factual question such as, 'Where was this photo taken? What is this called? Who took this photo? [Instead]: -- What do you see in this picture? What does this picture say to you? How do you feel when you look at this picture? What do you think about this picture?'" p. 44- 49