5 Reasons In Home Care is Better for Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s is a terrible condition that strips away the mental and physical faculties of those you care about. It’s not uncommon for family members to feel completely helpless as they watch those they love go through the progressing stages of the disease. However, there is something you can do. In-home care provides several benefits over traditional nursing home care, particularly for Alzheimer’s patients.

 

1. It’s more familiar.

 

Alzheimer’s is a unique condition, in that it reduces the brain’s ability to form short-term memories. As a result, relocating a person from their home of many years to a care facility can result in increased stress levels and confusion. In-home care provides them with a familiar environment in which to live out their final days.

 

2. It’s more affordable.

 

Nursing home care is terribly expensive. It can cost hundreds of dollars per day, which is much more than most families can afford. While full-time in-home care is still an expensive option, it’s infinitely more affordable than nursing home care. It also provides family members the opportunity to help out, which can reduce the cost of having a full-time nurse.

 

3. In-home care offers closer attention.

 

Alzheimer’s patients have a tendency to wander away. At a nursing home, the staff is divided among all of the patients in residence. However, with in-home care, the nurse will be completely dedicated to just one patient the entire time. You can rest easy knowing your loved one has the attention and care they require to be safe and comfortable.

 

4. Home care is more secure.

 

If you hire someone to watch over your loved one, you’re responsible for paying them. If they can’t come into work on a certain day, you’re out of options. However, using a home-care agency removes that burden of responsibility from you and places it in the hands of the agency. Should the caregiver be unavailable on a certain day, the agency can send someone else.

 

5. In-home care promotes better longevity.

 

Alzheimer’s patients have been shown to live longer when in-home care is used rather than nursing homes. This is due to a combination of various factors, but the familiarity helps them maintain their mental clarity for a longer time. Major changes in the life of an Alzheimer’s patient can worsen the condition, so keeping them as familiar as possible is helpful.

 

While there are no good alternatives for long-term care, in-home care is one of the best options on the market. It allows you to keep your loved one in a safe, comfortable environment while they fight against the illness.

 

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