If you are a family caregiver for your loved one who has dementia, it is important to understand as much as you can about this disease. The changes that will present themselves in your elderly loved one can happen slowly or quickly. There are different stages of the disease where these changes often take place. The more you can understand the trajectory of dementia, the more you can help your elderly loved one in each stage.
Mild Dementia
The first stage usually presents with mild symptoms. Your elderly loved one will start showing some difficulties. They may have some trouble learning new things and remembering people’s names. They may not be able to do complicated tasks, though. Your elderly loved one might also have more anxiety, stress, and sadness than normal. They may stop taking part in activities they usually enjoy, as well. During this stage, it might be a good idea to hire home health care providers for your elderly loved one at least a few times a week for extra assistance.
Moderate Dementia
The second stage of this disease is called moderate dementia. More of your elderly loved one’s senses are going to be affected during this stage. They may also experience loss of judgment, loss of physical functions, and worsening memory loss. During the moderate stage of this disease, your elderly loved one might not be eating well, they may wander, and use words that don’t make much sense. The care that your elderly loved one will need is going to start increasing during this stage. You might need more help from the home health care providers.
Severe Dementia
The final stage of this disease is called severe dementia. Your elderly loved one will completely lose their memory. They are going to need help when eating. Your elderly loved one won’t have control over their bowel or their bladder. They will also have mobility issues and need around-the-clock supervision and care. This is when many family caregivers often need to take a step back and hire home health care providers to do most of the care tasks for their loved one. If this is what you need to do, that is perfectly alright.
Conclusion
Dementia is a progressive disease. Right now, there is not a cure for it. The different stages of the disease are going to be difficult from the first stage to the final stage. However, now that you know more about these different stages and what will happen, you can be prepared. You now know how much help you are going to need from home health care providers and others when caring for your elderly love one.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering home health care in Coppell, TX or anywhere in North Texas please contact the caring staff at Arcy Healthcare today. 469-293-1515
Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-are-signs-alzheimers-disease
My name is Jimmie Stapleton. I am the founder and CEO of Arcy Healthcare. Arcy Healthcare includes Arcy Hospice, Arcy Supportive Care, MaximaCare Home Health and Arcy at Home.
Arcy Hospice was opened in 2007 to provide care and support for individuals and families facing a life limiting illness. It was established after my wife Ellen, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, had completed her chemo and radiation therapies. At that time, things were looking positive, and we wanted to do something for our community that had been so supportive of our family during her treatments. Unfortunately, the cancer returned a few years later, and she subsequently passed away under our care in 2010.
In the years that followed, I began to see the need to provide the same level of excellent care to patients across the continuum of care. Therefore, we have added a home health division (MaximaCare Home Health), a palliative care division (Arcy Supportive Care), and a home care division, (Arcy at Home). With the addition of these divisions, we can meet most of the post-acute care needs for you and your family in your home.
I started Arcy Hospice with my wife as my motivation to provide exceptional care and support in the patient’s home, where they are surrounded by family and where they feel most comfortable. I’m proud to say that our staff provides some of the best in home care in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.
Please let us know if we can enrich the quality of life for you or a loved one.
Sincerely,
Jimmie Stapleton – Founder and CEO
Arcy Healthcare
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