Personalized Dementia Care
Quality dementia care provides customized care plans tailored to the specific cognitive, behavioral and functional impairments of each individual patient. Our dementia care includes ongoing caregiver education, support for families and a focus on preserving dignity for your loved one.
Compassionate Care Starts by Recognizing Signs of Dementia
Dementia, however, is not a normal part of aging. If you’re concerned that you or a loved one may have dementia, it’s important to understand what dementia actually is, the symptoms and how to distinguish those signs from normal aging. While there are no cures for dementia you can also learn ways to reduce the risk of developing the condition.
Dementia is Common – And Complex
Approximately 7.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with dementia in 2023. The Centers for Disease Control projects that 14 million Americans aged 65 and older will have dementia in 2060. While dementia is often considered an “older person” issue, even people between 30 and 60 years old can develop young-onset Alzheimer’s.
Dementia is not a disease by itself. It’s an umbrella term for a variety of illnesses that impair an aging person’s cognitive and physical abilities. Each type can have different causative factors, disease courses, symptoms and outcomes.
Kadan is committed to continuing education in dementia care. The more we know as caregivers, the better we can support our clients and their families. Often caregivers don’t fully understand the challenges individuals with dementia face. Thanks to new virtual technology, caregivers or family members can experience what dementia is like with standard care and then experience the impact of dementia on the individual in an empathic person-centered care environment. By comparing these experiences, better care strategies can be developed based on personal experience and needs. The simulated experience promotes empathy and better care by allowing anyone that supports dementia patients to “walk a mile” in the patient’s shoes. Virtual dementia training benefits both the individual with dementia and caregivers through:
- Increased patient comfort and compliance
- Reduced stressful interactions with patients
- Decreased use of psychotropic medications
- Improved patient, family and staff satisfaction
President Dina Kadan White and Kahloe Lesaca, RN are Virtual Dementia Tour – Certified Trainers through Second Wind Dreams.
Five Most Common Types of Dementia
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Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases and affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
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Vascular DementiaThe second most common form of dementia is Vascular Dementia, which occurs because of microscopic bleeding and blood vessel blockages in the brain.
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Mixed DementiaA person may have Mixed Dementia if he or she experiences the brain changes of several types of dementia simultaneously.
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Lewy Body DementiaLewy Body Dementia is associated with brain abnormalities and the widespread presence of alpha-synuclein protein in the brain. These abnormal deposits affect proper brain function and cause problems with thinking, memory, movement, mood and sleep.
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Parkinson’s Disease DementiaParkinson’s disease dementia is a decline in thinking and reasoning skills that develops in some people living with Parkinson’s disease. Like Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s disease dementia results from abnormal microscopic deposits in the brain composed chiefly of alpha-synuclein protein.
"I have been using Kadan Homecare for 4 years and they have been exceptional in helping to care for my mother who has dementia. Both home aides that we have had over that time have become like family. The best thing for me about Kadan is the high quality of caregivers that they provide. I have used several other companies and they do not compare. I felt they did not personalize my mother's care. Kadan has given me and my family peace of mind and are partners with us in helping my mother live out the rest of her life in the comfort of her own home. Thank you, Kadan!"
Signs of Dementia
What’s normal…What isn’t
Dementia manifests differently in different people; no two patients are exactly alike. Here are some common early warning signs of dementia to look for.
- Memory loss, especially when trying to recall recent events or how to do everyday tasks
- Problems with language and communication, including forgetting words or asking the same questions repeatedly
- Disorientation and getting lost in familiar places
- Poor self-care, including lapses in hygiene, eating and dressing
- Misplacing things and putting items in odd places
- Emotional changes and withdrawal
While memory loss is commonly associated with dementia, a person with dementia may have troubling mood swings, changes in gait and falls, hallucinations, delusions and paranoia.
The stages of dementia progress from mild to severe. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may initially have mild cognitive impairment but develop severe symptoms in the final stage of the disease, such as an inability to speak or control bodily functions.
Reducing the Impact of Dementia
Get help early and pursue healthy habits.
There are many promising treatments to help slow the development of dementia and the associated diseases. However, it’s imperative to get help early and take steps to slow the progression. Healthy habits like physical activity and a well-rounded diet will help your body fight disease, both dementia and other chronic conditions. These approaches appear to be working as the proportion of adults ages 70 and older with dementia declined from 13% in 2011 to 10% in 2019.
In-Home Care for Seniors with Dementia
Our care managers specialize in conducting cognitive and functional assessments to understand each individual’s unique needs. We then match our extensively trained caregivers to the specific abilities and challenges of the person with dementia.
Daily care plans are customized around the individual’s interests, capabilities and changing needs to promote engagement and quality of life. We also provide caregiver education and emotional support for family members throughout the dementia journey.
If you are looking for an Atlanta, Georgia-based home health agency that thoroughly understands how to provide in-home elder care, companion care and personal care for seniors coping with dementia, Kadan Homecare would be honored to work with you.
Dementia Care Assistance from Our Family to Yours
Request a Complimentary Evaluation Today!
During your complimentary in-home consultation, our registered nurse will sensitively ask questions that enable us to personalize a program and carefully match a caregiver to your loved one’s needs. If you have questions or feel overwhelmed by the decision process, we are happy to use our knowledge and experience to make recommendations and assist you in any way we can. For more information or to talk with our team call 770-396-8997 or email info@kadan.org.
