Dementia Care

When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia or a similar condition, it can be a tremendous shock. There is an immediate rush of concern for someone close to you, which is then mixed with worries about the realities of dealing with a problem that will only get worse.

Should you find yourself facing this situation, it is important to find out as much as possible about the condition. Doctors, consultants and other medical practitioners will all be able to provide you with an insight into the illness, its current severity, how it is likely to progress in future, what changes to expect in someone's behaviours and what levels of support might be required and when.

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, you should also make contact with organisations like the Alzheimer's Society, who publish a wealth of material on all aspects of dementia. This will give you a better understanding of the illness and the support available, and also provide more detailed information about specific elements of the condition that you and your loved one might be faced with.

From this start point, you will then be able to begin making plans about how best to help your loved one.

Since dementia has an impact on a person's ability to live independently, this means giving some thought to the practicalities of living with dementia on a daily basis. Most particularly, how long your loved one will be able to stay in their own home, particularly if they live alone.

Naturally, this will depend on the severity of their condition and their own desire to continue to live independently.

In the short-term, it may be possible for them to continue to stay where they are, especially if some of the everyday chores such as laundry, shopping and cooking are done by others. This will enable them to maintain their quality of life and independence for as long as possible.

Bear in mind, when 'lightening the load' in this way, it's important to do so at a pace that supports the dementia sufferer and doesn't impose on them.

As the need for greater personal care increases, it may be appropriate to seek outside help, which is often forthcoming from local authorities. This can also include financial support through the Disability Living Allowance, or the Attendance Allowance for those over 65, neither of which is means tested.

As the condition worsens, consideration must be given to where the best place is for the sufferer to be. Often this means having to choose a suitable care home. Local authorities hold lists of care homes in their areas and other information is available from organisations like Age UK.

Before the dementia becomes too severe, you should also give thought to obtaining an Enduring Power of Attorney. This will allow a trusted relative or friend to look after the affairs of another and is something that can help with managing the process of paying household bills, as well as making more major decisions, much easier.

Coping with dementia in a loved one is challenging, but it is important to remember there are many sources of support available to help you shoulder the burden and so be better able to help your loved one.

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When Family Can't Care for You

Many people plan on relying on their children when it comes time for senior care, but what do you do if you have no children or your kids end up not being able to help you out? Assisted living might end up being your best choice in such a situation, especially if you do not have some sort of care plan already in place. Assisted living facilities act as an important safety net for the senior citizens that are in need of some sort of extra help. Senior housing in general is an important feature for people who need the support but do not have many other options-such as a family member to live with or a friend that can occasionally check in with them.

Assisted living facilities certainly cannot replace family, but they can surpass the level of care that a single family member alone can provide. With around the clock assistance available in the event that it is ever needed, assisted living provides a valuable tool for seniors. Nobody ever thinks or expects themselves to become incapable of caring for themselves, but emergency situations do come up, and the older you become, the more likely such a situation is to arise. Simply having a plan in place can go a long way toward helping out within an occurrence like this, but people that live alone often do not have an adequate emergency plan in place. When you live in an assisted living facility, your caretakers will always have an idea of what needs to be done in a variety of emergency situations.

Having a family member care for you during your senior years is a great thing, but it's just not realistic for all situations. Even if you do have a willing family member, they might not have the necessary training or know how to give you the best care possible. When you live within an assisted living atmosphere, this situation does not occur.

If you don't have a family member that is capable of helping you out, you really need to have a contingency plan set to roll out in the event that your health begins to decline or you start having difficulty caring for yourself. It is important that you are safe-if you have any doubts, it is probably a good idea to meet with a care giving institution in order to find out what type of care is going to be best for you. Assisted living is a great option, and if it turns out that you will benefit from this type of care, you want to make sure that you are in the very best of hands. Find a good assisted living facility and you will not need to worry about an emergency situation any longer.

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