In-Home Alzheimer’s Care, Caregiver Services, Alzheimer’s In-Home Care
For more than two decades, FCP Live-In has been a leading In-Home Alzheimer’s Care provider working to make the world a better place for seniors with Alzheimer’s. We believe Alzheimer’s patients deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Our personalized plans and a team of highly skilled and trained caregivers will ensure that you or your loved one is able to maintain their independence in the comfort of familiar surroundings:
- Companion services: Assistance with supervision, recreational activities, or visiting.
- Personal care services: Assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, exercising, or other personal care.
- Homemaker services: Help with housekeeping, shopping, or meal preparationaration.
With FCP Live-In, affordable live-in, quality Alzheimer’s care is now easier than ever.
Let us treat your loved one like family. Call us directly at: 1 (866) 559-9492
Alzheimer’s Disease: A Devastating Diagnosis
Few diagnoses can devastate a family like Alzheimer’s disease. It’s estimated that more than 5.5 million Americans suffer from this debilitating condition, which ranks as the sixth leading cause of death nationwide.
Alzheimer’s disease gradually robs our loved ones of their memory and thinking skills until they are unable to perform even the most routine everyday tasks. Initially, you may notice only mild symptoms that have a minimal impact on daily life:
- Short-term and long-term memory loss
- Difficulty solving simple problems
- Struggles with routine, day-to-day activities
- Forgets words or begins mixing up words
- Loses items or becomes lost more frequently
- Becomes confused about current time or place
- Confuses the names and identities of people
- Acts more irrationally, irritable, or depressed than usual
But over time, these symptoms will grow more severe. Once the disease reaches its final stages, a person with Alzheimer’s may lose all short-term and long-term memory, the ability to speak and to understand speech, and the ability to perform even the most basic personal tasks, such as how to use the bathroom or eat on their own.
Eventually, every Alzheimer’s disease patient will need supportive care to ensure their safety and well-being.
Caring for Alzheimer’s Patients in the Home
Like most families battling Alzheimer’s, you wish for your loved one to remain at home for as long as possible.
We understand. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities may not be capable of providing the dignity and comfort that comes with in-home care. But caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s isn’t something you should attempt on your own, especially if you can’t guarantee they’ll never be alone.
That’s because Alzheimer’s patients face some unique risks and dangers that can’t be mitigated without in-home caregivers. As they become less able to manage simple household tasks, for example, they may forget to turn off the oven, how to dial 911, or when and how to take their medications.
People with Alzheimer’s are also prone to wandering and may get lost if they venture out on their own. They are also vulnerable to bouts of agitation and aggression that can become severe in the absence of a caregiver with experience soothing a distressed dementia patient.
Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Will Stress Your Family
Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s will also stress your family, both emotionally and financially.
The more hours you devote to your loved one, the higher your risk of caregiver overload and stress-related health issues.
According to one recent study, 6.3% of family caregivers suffer from anxiety and depression compared to just 4.3% of non-caregivers. More than 17% of those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s experienced other mental health issues compared to only 10.9% of the general population.
In a poll conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association, 35% of family caregivers reported that their health had gone downhill while caring for their loved one. Another survey by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 33% of caregivers struggle to maintain their health and have skipped personal doctor visits because of caregiving duties.
It can be difficult to hold down a job while caring for an Alzheimer’s patient at home. 57% of those employed either full or part-time reported going in late, leaving early, or taking time off because of their caregiving responsibilities.
In addition, 18% had to go from working full time to part-time; 16% had to take a leave of absence; 8% turned down a promotion, and 1 in 6 were forced to quit working entirely.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and irreversible neurological disorder that primarily affects cognitive functions such as memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults.
Key characteristics and features of Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Memory Impairment: One of the hallmark symptoms is the gradual and persistent decline in memory, especially in the ability to form new memories. Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease often have difficulty recalling recent events or conversations.
- Cognitive Decline: The disease also leads to a decline in other cognitive functions, such as reasoning, problem-solving, language skills, and the ability to plan and organize tasks.
- Behavioral Changes: People with Alzheimer’s may exhibit changes in behavior and personality, such as increased irritability, confusion, disorientation, and mood swings.
- Difficulty with Activities of Daily Living: As the disease progresses, individuals may have difficulty performing routine tasks, such as dressing, eating, and personal hygiene.
- Disorientation and Confusion: Affected individuals often become disoriented and confused about time, place, and the identity of people, even in familiar surroundings.
- Problems with Communication: Alzheimer’s disease can affect a person’s ability to communicate effectively. This may manifest as difficulty finding the right words or understanding spoken or written language.
- Changes in Motor Skills: In later stages of the disease, individuals may experience problems with motor skills, coordination, and balance.
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Abnormal protein deposits, such as beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, are commonly found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s, and these are thought to contribute to the neuronal damage and cognitive decline associated with the disease.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are treatments and interventions available to manage its symptoms and improve the quality of life for individuals affected by the disease. These may include medications, cognitive stimulation, and support from caregivers and healthcare professionals. Research into Alzheimer’s disease is ongoing, with the hope of one day finding more effective treatments or even a cure. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for maximizing the benefits of available treatments and support.
FCP Live-In: The Right Alzheimer’s Care for Your Loved One and Your Family
Now that your loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you and your family face a difficult decision.
Perhaps you believe a nursing home or assisted living is your only option. But removing your loved one from a cherished and familiar home will prove traumatic, and neither facility will provide the level of personal attention you desire.
In a nursing home, your loved one will likely have to compete with other residents for the staff’s limited time and attention.
While assisted living allows for more independence, these facilities usually cannot care for residents that have certain mobility deficits. Once your loved one declines beyond a certain point, they’ll require they transfer to a nursing home.
Assisted living facilities are also notoriously expensive. If your financial resources are depleted, you’ll have no choice but to transfer your loved one to a Medicaid nursing home – whether or not they’re ready for a more skilled care environment.
Fortunately, there is a better way!
Live-in care allows your loved one to remain at home, in an environment that they are familiar and comfortable with. The only change will be getting to know the caregiver. With the right match, they may even become the best of friends!
FCP Live-In can provide affordable homecare, in most circumstances, at every stage of disease progression and throughout end-of-life, and in conjunction with other medical providers.
If you’re ready to explore a better option for Alzheimer’s care, call 1 (866) 559-9492.
About FCP Live-In And Our Alzheimer’s caregiver services
We have provided the ultimate solution for assisted Alzheimer’s home care services since 1997. Our live-in Alzheimer’s home care services agency is committed to providing a unique and customized In-Home Alzheimer’s home care services approach to senior care with the goal of a lifestyle that provides enjoyment for the one in care, and families with peace of mind.
FCP Live-In is a Live-In Home Care company with over two decades of experience specializing in elderly care needs within the home. Our live-in caregiver staff provides an insurance policy of safe and supportive care, along with a 24/7 professional support system that is there for the client and the live-in caregiver at all times.
For more information about our Alzheimer’s home care services, contact FCP Live-In today at 1 (866) 559-9492, or please fill out the form below.
Link: Alzheimer’s Association statistics: https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
Link: CDC study: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/p0920-alzheimers-burden-double-2060.html
FCP Live-In Testimonials
– Gordon S. (Son) – Shelton, CT
– Geraldine D. (Daughter) – Bridgeport, CT
– Stephanie S. (Wife) – Fairfield, ME
– Dr. Michael S. (Son) -Fairfield, CT
– Michael K. (Son) – Chicopee, MA