From Queens and the Bronx to Brooklyn and Manhattan, there are many people in the greater New York metropolitan area who may need home health services. But what are the best “home health care services near me?” Keep reading to answer these questions and more.
In-Home Health Care for Patients With Alzheimer’s in New York
First and foremost, are “home health care services near me” a good care strategy to help patients who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s? The simple answer is yes. At-home care can be immensely helpful for elderly people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other degenerative neurological diseases.
The reason why at-home services in New York can be helpful for people with memory-related disorders is because of the familiarity associated with the home environment. Patients who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and who receive at-home care can receive an unparalleled level of comfort. For family members, keeping a loved one with Alzheimer’s close can also be important.
How Long Can Alzheimer’s Patients Stay At Home in Manhattan?
Patients who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can live for years, depending on how fast the degree of neurodegenerative impairment progresses. For the majority of this time, the patient can live at home and lead a healthy, safe lifestyle while receiving at-home care. Many people diagnosed with this disease can continue living at home for ten or sometimes twenty years.
Home health care services can provide many of the same services as an assisted living facility, with the added bonus that family members and a familiar environment surround the patient. A home health aide who is a registered certified nurse will be able to provide medical care for patients who need medical monitoring, particularly patients with comorbid physical diseases.
Why Does Alzheimer’s Present Challenges for Family Caregivers in Brooklyn?
Family members who are caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s will often experience both physical and emotional stress. When families try to care for Alzheimer’s patients without any respite or assistance from a home health care aide, the family is more likely to experience burnout, depression, and even anxiety.
Caring for an individual diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is a demanding task. Alzheimer’s patients often need extensive care, especially as the disease progresses. Furthermore, symptoms such as mood swings and memory changes can be difficult for family caregivers to cope with, whereas a non-family caregiver is more emotionally removed from the situation. Some challenges presented by caring for Alzheimer’s patients can include:
- Wandering
- Emotional dysregulation
- Inappropriate behaviors
- Personality changes
- Hallucinations
- Sundowning
- Restless behaviors
When Should Families Hire At-Home Care for Alzheimer’s Patients in Queens?
In general, if families want to keep loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at home, then it’s best to hire a home health care aide to assist with activities of daily living and household chores. Even a part-time home health aide can provide essential help to family members caring for an Alzheimer’s patient. Because this is a generative disease, many patients wait until Alzheimer’s has progressed to the moderate or severe disease stage before arranging in-home care.
However, if the individual with Alzheimer’s lives alone and does not wish to move to an assisted living facility, then it’s best to make arrangements for in-home health care services as soon as possible. Although there may come a time when dementia associated with Alzheimer’s prevents the individual from making important decisions, the individual’s desire to live at home for as long as possible should be honored.
What Are Common Care Services for Alzheimer’s Patients in the Bronx?
People who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s generally require significant care as the neurodegenerative disease progresses. In the later stages of the disease, the care required by the individual can even include hospice care to keep the patient safe and comfortable at home. It’s best to work with a home health service to design an elderly care plan with a case manager who understands the types of services needed by an Alzheimer’s patient. Some of these care services can include:
Companionship and Accompaniment
Companionship is important for patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Many patients who live alone or who live with a family that works during the day may be challenged by isolation and depression. Companionship from a home health aide can provide important socialization that can reduce stress and anxiety for the patient. A home health aide can also help the patient manage mood swings.
Some Alzheimer’s patients may need to attend regular check-ups with doctors. A home health aide can accompany patients to all types of doctor appointments. Home health care aides can accompany the patient on daily outdoor activities that have proven clinically helpful for patients with dementia, such as walking.
Fall and Wandering Prevention
People who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are at a higher risk of falling than other people, and elderly individuals are at a higher risk of major injuries from falls. An in-home health care aide can ensure the walking environment of the home is free of fall hazards, such as loose rugs or cords that can be tripped over.
Alzheimer’s patients are also frequent wanderers. This is a classic symptoms of this neurodegenerative disease. Patients who wander unsupervised away from home are at risk of injury and may place themselves in unintentional danger. A home health care aide can assist with wandering prevention to keep patients safe.
Household Chores and Cooking
People with dementia may be unable to complete common household chores, such as laundry and housekeeping. It’s important to keep homes clean to reduce the spread of germs and keep patients healthy. A home health aide will also help with meal preparation and grocery shopping since Alzheimer’s patients may not be able to cook for themselves.
Personal Care and Mobility Assistance
A home health care aide will assist patients with Alzheimer’s with personal care needs, such as toileting, bathing, dressing, and other personal hygiene tasks. Keeping the patient clean and in good hygiene is helpful for physical and psychological health. For a patient who has mobility challenges, a home health aide can offer personal hygiene assistance along with mobility transfers.
How Can You Find the Best “Home Health Care Services Near Me?”
To find the best home health care services in your area, you will want to be sure the home health service provides the precise care your loved one needs. During an intake assessment, be sure to mention all the special needs your loved one may have, as well as formal diagnoses such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. This will ensure the home health care service can assign home health aides with the right skill set to care for your family member.
Whether your loved one lives in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, or the Bronx, it’s a good idea to find high-quality “home health care services near me.” A home health care service in New York can provide several services to patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and this can benefit the family of the patient by relieving the physical and emotional burden of care. To learn more about how to arrange for in-home health care services, contact Parent Care Home Care in New York today.
