In-Home Care and Support for Dementia Patients

Dementia Home Care serving New York City including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island and Nassau County.

Dementia is a scary topic. Dementia is incurable. Dementia results in a state of general mental difficulty.

As we age, it is common and even normal, for us to lose some of our mental agility. However, it is important to know the difference between normal aging and more serious signs of cognitive deterioration. Dementia is more than a disease. It is a series of symptoms that signal a decline in mental and cognitive health resulting in brain cell death which is caused by several symptoms and diseases.

in home care for dementia in bronx manhattan queens brooklyn Memory problems may be related to treatable health issues such as infections, chronic cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, alcoholism, tumors, blood clots in the brain or thyroid, kidney, or liver disorders which may all cause memory loss or dementia. Side effects from medications can be a cause, as can certain vitamin deficiencies. Research has shown that anemia, common in the elderly, could increase the risk of dementia. Additionally, emotional problems like stress, anxiety or depression, can leave a person feeling distracted, making them appear more forgetful. Once these issues are addressed, the dementia may be halted or even reversed.

There are several types of dementia, so there is no one way to prevent it. Alzheimer’s is one of the most common and devastating forms of dementia. Researchers are still learning how it develops and how to treat it. Avoiding these risk factors and leading a healthy lifestyle is a great way to lower your chances of developing dementia. While you can’t avoid aging and have no control over your genetics, you do have control over your lifestyle.

Patients who suffer from dementia commonly find it difficult to accomplish daily activities without help. It is important to recognize the signs of dementia as early as possible so that family members have plenty of time for planning. They must make sure that a safe living arrangement is set in place. Also, the elderly may be able to take advantage of all current and cutting edge treatments available.

Tips That May Help Prevent Dementia

A healthy, regulated diet is the recommended preventive treatment. Try eating foods that are rich in nutrients and low in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. Your diet should consist primarily of vegetables and lean meats.
Regular exercise doesn’t just keep you at a healthy weight, increase energy and flexibility; it also protects your brain. Take a walk around the park, participate in a senior water aerobics class, or join a Silver Sneakers program. Exercise of any kind keeps your mind and body active.
Avoid Isolation. Older adults who isolate themselves and don’t engage in stimulating social activities are at a higher risk.
Curtail cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are risk factors that have other consequences such as heart disease, cancer and liver disease. Quit smoking and cut back or cut out alcohol for brain health and heart health.

Behavioral & Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)

Many people think of dementia impacting cognitive impairment, like memory loss and attention, but dementia is not just memory loss. There are behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) that occur in about 90% of dementia patients. Moreover, these non-cognitive symptoms are equally important to the syndrome in terms of function and cognition.

Some examples of these symptoms include:

Mood Disorders (aggression, depression, anxiety and apathy)
Psychotic Episodes (delusions and hallucinations)
Abnormal Motor Behaviors (pacing, wandering, repetitive vocalization)
Inappropriate Behavior (agitation, disinhibition, screaming and elation).
Sleep and Appetite Changes

While there is no cure for most types of dementia, the condition’s progress can be slowed and various treatments can improve quality of life for those diagnosed. Many of the treatments for dementia (especially in the early stages) do not involve medication. However, there are medications available for mid and late stage dementia. Some prescription drugs can help alleviate and improve symptoms, temporarily. There are also some non-drug approaches that have been used to treat dementia. These therapies can be useful in controlling the patient’s behavioral and physical symptoms.

It’s important to have a good support system. Quality caregivers are vital to patients living with dementia. Routines, strategies and communication between caregivers, family and health professionals are important for the patient’s health, safety and well-being.

Some strategies for healthy dementia care include:

Set a positive mood. Adopting a calm, pleasant tone while speaking simply and clearly can help them remain at ease.
Make sure to get the patient’s attention to avoid startling them.
Ask questions that are clear and easy to answer.
Learn how to distract from or change subjects in order to keep the patient from emotionally troubling topics.
Offer your company and positive energy.
Communicate with dementia patients in a simple, straightforward way using easy-to-understand words and suggestions. Don’t overload your loved one with a string of questions or commands.
Music has a profound effect on many people with dementia, particularly if that music is familiar. It can soothe agitation, improve mood and reduce stress. Even people with advanced Alzheimer’s have responded to music therapy indicating that musical memories outlast other kinds of memories.

Dementia is a difficult condition to live with, but it also affects caregivers. Caring for patients with dementia leaves many caregivers overwhelmed and exhausted. Caring for dementia patients takes compassion, patience and, above all, understanding. Therefore, those who care for people with dementia must take the time and effort to preserve their own health. The healthier the caregiver, the healthier the patient

Caring for a person with dementia is challenging, but it does not need to be overwhelming. David York Agency is here to help with professional caregivers. We can support you with and help you find the additional assistance you need for caregiving.

In-Home Care Services for Patients Living with Dementia

More and more dementia patients and their families are opting for ending their lives in the comfortable surroundings of their home since the elderly are often too frail to be moved successfully. David York Agency in-home care providers are able to focus specifically on providing relief involved with dementia care. They are monitored by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who understand how to treat the specific symptoms of dementia and improve the quality of the remaining years of life.

When home healthcare becomes necessary, David York Agency provides skilled home health aide services for the elderly and infirm in their home. A nurse is always available and would be happy to discuss your case with you.

No matter what level of service you need, we’re available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Sometimes the cost of the services can be covered by private medical insurance or Medicare depending on the physician’s orders. Often long term care insurance will pay for a home health aide when the patient is unable to perform activities of daily living.

In-Home Assistance for New York Seniors Living with Dementia

Serving Our Clients for the Last 40 Years

When you are faced with the challenge of finding the best in-home care provider to help care for the emotional and physical well-being of someone you love, maybe your mom or dad, you will want to be confident that you are making the right choice.

At David York Home Healthcare Agency, extraordinary service is what sets us apart from other companies who provide in home health care services. Whatever your care needs, we are there for you, always striving to exceed your expectations.

We provide our home care, senior care, dementia care and specialized in-home care services throughout the New York metro area, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Pelham Parkway, Forest Hills, Riverdale, Jamaica Estates, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Heights, Bayside, Todt Hill, Briarwood and Nassau County. For a complete list of areas where we provide in-home care and support services for seniors, elderly adults and people of all ages, please visit our Service Areas page.

Complimentary Care Needs Evaluation

Making the decision about in-home care for a loved one is never easy, but finding the right answers can help you feel more comfortable with the options available and confident in your final decision. That’s why David York Home Healthcare Agency provides prospective clients and their families with a complimentary, no obligation in home care needs assessment.

In our meeting, we will thoroughly discuss your care needs and work with you or your loved one to determine how best to meet your requirements. After evaluating your home care goals we will have a better understanding of your loved ones physical, emotional and cognitive needs and will work with you to create a personalized plan of care.

FREE CARE NEEDS EVALUATION

At David York Home Healthcare Agency, extraordinary service is what sets us apart from other companies who provide in-home care services. Whatever your care needs, we are there for you, always striving to exceed your expectations.