Caring For A Loved One With Alzheimer’s at Home

If there is one fact regarding individuals  living with Alzheimer’s that doctors and nurses all agree with, is that maintaining familiarity in their everyday surroundings is key for them. As the disease progresses, and a patient’s memory deteriorates, choosing to provide care for the person in the comfort of their own home — when possible– is often a wise choice.

Whereas some individuals choose to hire a care-giving agency for support, others decide to make the care of a loved one their full-time work. Whichever the situation though, there are several assistive devices and home health care products that can make the ordeal of preparing your home for an Alzheimer’s patient a smoother experience.

Home Hospital Beds: Home hospital beds can provide a great level of comfort and safety for the patient.  In earlier stages of the disease, when the memory and sense of time/place are compromised, the beds’ side rails can help deter the person from wandering around their room or home and possibly hurting themselves. For patients with later-stage Alzheimer’s who begin to experience physical symptoms, a home hospital bed is also a great idea. As their ability to walk becomes compromised, the home hospital bed provides a great and versatile surface for them to rest. Fully adjustable backrests and legrests are ideal for caregivers to better position the patient. The bed’s adjustable height settings are perfect for helping a patient on and off the bed.

Transport Chair: Doctor’s appointments are a routine part of the life of people who suffer from Alzheimer’s. A transport chair can be a great tool for facilitating those quick trips. Unlike a regular wheelchair, the transport wheelchair has four small wheels– meaning that the caregiver is in charge of propelling the patient. With convenient foot-brakes and lightweight construction (most are built in aluminum), the they can be easily stored in the trunk of the car.

Bath Lift:  This fully electric bathing surface can be placed inside the bath tub.  It is ideal for a patient who doesn’t have a big range of motion and needs help in order to be lowered into or lifted from the tub. With convenient height and tilt controls, bath lifts can help ease the care giver’s experience  and provide extra comfort to the patient as they go about their bathing routine.

Rolling Commode: As toileting becomes a challenge for individuals with Alzheimer’s the commode is an excellent option to tend to their needs. The wheeled commode comes equipped with a built-in toilet sit and removable bucket. Many of them include a lid which helps double their functionality– they can also be used as transport chairs inside the home.

Caring for someone you love throughout their journey with Alzheimer’s isn’t easy. It’s filled with heartbreak and laughter, moments of hope and challenges. Mobility stores like Vital Mobility are here to help– with top notch equipment and dedicated staff that’s 100% committed to helping you and your family, every step of the way.