If you have a loved one who is battling a form of dementia, the questions you may have are endless. ‘What are new symptoms to look out for?’, ‘how quickly is it going to progress?’, ‘how best to care for my loved one?’ and so on. 

Firstly, let’s dive into what Dementia really is. Dementia is commonly thought of as loss of memory, however, it is far more than that. Dementia is a collection of symptoms that are caused by several different disorders affecting the brain. It is not one specific disease. Dementia affects thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks, inhibiting their ability to maintain a normal social or personal life.

Now that that is explained, it is very vital that a trained caregiver is assigned to the patient’s care. A home caretaker or a nurse at home would be ideal as studies show that patients who remain at home remain happier, healthier and live longer than those that have institutionalised care. A specialised caregiver can help the patient remain calm and oriented, manage sleep and behavioural struggles as well as track medication, symptoms and help with memory loss. 

So what factors do you need to consider when finding the right help for your loved one? Here’s our top 5: 

Training – Not just anyone can take care of a patient with dementia. There are various forms of dementia affecting different parts of the brain and functionality. Your home caretaker needs to be trained specifically for dementia patient care to really be effective. 

Experience – As with everything, training and knowledge without practice is merely textbook. Caring for patients with dementia can be physically, mentally and emotionally challenging at times. Hence experience matters as they would need to be able to think on their feet and act quickly when necessary. That’s why having a nurse at home is highly recommended. 

Engagement – As important as training and experience are, a patient needs a home caretaker who will be able to engage them, talk to them and aid them in their daily functioning. The caretaker will need to understand the patient’s unique needs, habits, likes and dislikes and adapt accordingly. Language, likeability and humility are all factors to consider.

Dedication – The best part about home healthcare is the one on one attention that the patient gets. Look for a home caretaker who will be fully attentive and available to your loved one. In today’s day, that may mean having someone who keeps phone calls and social media to a minimum as well as being dedicated to attendance and punctuality. 

Reliability – Last but not least is reliability. When bringing someone into your home to care for your loved one t such a vulnerable stage, background checks are an absolute must. Ensuring that your aide is honest, sincere and reliable is crucial. The last thing anyone needs is stolen items, mishandling of a patient or poor management of temper. These things can only be known through proper checks through the patient’s history. If you don’t have the resources to do this, look out for, “the best nursing bureau near me”. They will have done the necessary checks on your behalf. 

Home healthcare can provide a beautiful experience for you and your family. For a worry-free hire, ask around and do a search for the best nursing bureau near me and you’ll see the benefits of home care in no time!