Discovering Companionship Care For Seniors With Dementia

By Jerry Lee


Caring for the elderly and seniors can often be a challenging task, especially when the individual has a debilitating disease. As such, locating quality companionship care for seniors with dementia is essential. In order to do so, a number of organizations recommend researching companies and caregivers as well as acquiring and checking references before making such an important decision. For, there have been caregivers whom have taken advantage of, abused or stole from these clients, especially those with memory issues.

The FCA and the National Center on Caregiving are organizations which can provide caregivers with a variety of resources. In most cases, the resources provided are aimed specifically at family members caring for a loved one at home. Whereas, the alliance provides a platform for ongoing discussion while providing services, educational programs and advocating for new and existing caregivers.

All programs, resources and services offered are designed and developed towards caregivers. With this in mind, educational programs and services provide tools and tailored material so that caregivers can meet the challenges and demands often experienced by, and expected of, caregivers. The tools and materials provided include a Family Care Navigator which can help caregivers locate support services in each and every state and the FCA CareJourney which provides important quality information, resources and support specifically aimed at family caregivers.

Active caregivers also have access to the National Center On Caregiving which promotes high quality programs and policies as well as a Bay Area Resource Center for residents of San Francisco and the six counties surrounding the city. For example, the organization provides consultants whom work on a one-on-one basis with families caring for elderly or ill loved ones.

The FCA website also offers resources and support. In one case, caregivers can read and provide stories or ask questions about varying experiences. Whereas, the site also host a calendar of events which can often be entertaining and informative for caregivers and at times, family members, seniors and the elderly.

It can often be beneficial to know the seven stages of dementia when providing care to seniors or the elderly. For, by understanding these stages, caregivers can better understand the needs of clients whom often can not express such information first hand. The beginning, or stage one of the disease has no obvious signs and is the starting point for all those effected by Alzheimer's or dementia.

In stages 2 through 7, memory issues begin to slowly decline while signs of Alzheimer's can often appear in the second or third stage. The most dramatic changes begin in stage 3, as it is this phase in which an individual will begin to see impairment in work performance, forgetfulness, verbal repetitiveness, poor concentration, issues with organization and problem solving, issues with completing complex tasks and experience difficulty while driving.

In stages four through seven, individuals often become withdrawn, anti-social and avoid physical contact. In addition, it is during these stages where those with Alzheimer's and dementia begin having difficulty remembering friends and family. Most often, it is at this point in which family members and physicians must decide the best options for housing and treatment moving forward.




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