Early Stage Dementia Care

At times it may be challenging for family members to grasp that a loved one may need support or has a memory problem when they can remember things from 40 years ago like they were yesterday. However, while their long term memories can be intact, their short term memory is may be impacted in a major way. Often these changes or deficits are masked by a spouse who is unknowingly compensating for these deficits.

Early Stages of Dementia and Short Term Memory Deficits:

• Decreased or poor judgment with decisions
• Losing the ability to retrace steps
• Confusion with time or place
• Remembering people’s names, places and directions.
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home or work
• Trouble with vision such as difficulty driving, navigating, reading, judging distance or determining color
• Maintaining proper hygiene of grooming
• Challenges with words in speaking and or writing

These warning signs of early stage dementia may create an unsafe environment for a loved one, but can also provide a great opportunity to introduce the idea of home care assistance in the home. If you find yourself anxious or worried about a loved one’s early stage of dementia at home, we invite you to connect with our local team of Certified Dementia Specialists.

Personal Care

• Hands on assistance with ambulation to prevent falls
• Safe utilization of assistive devices like walkers, canes, sara lifts or hoyer lifts
• Assistance with feeding and hydration in accordance with dietary regiments
• Providing hygiene assistance and incontinence care
• Preserving one’s self-image by supporting with both dressing and grooming tasks
• Assistance with a safe bathing environment
• Reminder services (medications, dates, appointments, routines, etc.)

Companionship & Meaningful Activities

• Providing socialization, friendship, conversation and emotional support
• Engaging in one’s interests or hobbies to support cognitive and emotional wellbeing
• Encouraging and promoting exercise, therapy regiments and tracking progress towards care plan goals
• Connecting clients to family and friends through traditional or electronic platforms

Daily Household Support

• Preparing and serving meals according to client’s dietary needs
• Cleaning the bathroom and kitchen after use
• Assistance with tidying the client’s room and living area
• Supporting hygiene by helping with washing clothes and bed linens
• Assistance with transportation, accompanying the client to appointments, etc.
• Shopping and performing other household errands