Caregivers who provide Alzheimer�s care services at home are specifically trained to care for dementia patients and embrace a holistic and client-centred approach to care.

Finding out that a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer�s, or other dementia, can be overwhelming to say the least. It is difficult to accept and come to terms with the diagnosis and its implications for your loved one and your shared relationship.

It is only more difficult to begin to prepare for the long journey ahead and the care needs that will inevitably arise. However, it can be comforting to know that there is a growing body of knowledge about care strategies that can help care providers care for a person with dementia.

Agitation, aggression and loss of verbal communication are typical manifestations of the disease and can be a major cause of distress for both the person with dementia and those caring for them.

Despite this, people with dementia can still feel satisfaction and experience pleasure. All those who participate in their care should understand this and recognize that their actions and behaviours are meaningful and reflect a desire to communicate something.

It is also common for people with Alzheimer�s to leave the house and wander aimlessly onto the streets without relocation or knowledge of where they are going or even their identity. This is a serious safety concern for families.

Those caring for Alzheimer�s patients should be cognizant and anticipate potentially unsafe behaviours that are typical in people with the disease in order to prevent or respond to them.

Trained caregivers providing dementia or Alzheimer�s care services at home will be confident and know how to navigate the disease-specific symptoms of dementia, helping patients to enjoy a high quality of life despite having Alzheimer�s.