Taking care of someone with dementia or another form of memory loss is often very hard. Family and friends might help sometimes, but it can also feel like you’re doing everything by yourself. At VNS Health, we understand the work involved and the loneliness you might feel. Working with experts from Inspired Memory Care, Inc. (IMC), we created Dementia Care at Home. This program supports caregivers while keeping their loved ones engaged and cared for.
Our Approach to Dementia Care
A person living with dementia or memory loss might struggle to understand their world or take care of themself without help. As their need for help increases, you may feel overwhelmed or worry about them.
We know that your loved one’s struggles are unique. So are your worries. That’s why we take a highly customized approach to dementia care.
Our approach focuses on what people with memory loss can do, not on what they’ve lost. We take the time to learn what makes your loved one happy or anxious. We want to know their hobbies and what they enjoy doing. We also want to know your concerns, so we can make a plan that works for your family.
Who Can Use Dementia Care at Home?
Our program helps caregivers and people with permanent or temporary memory loss from causes including:
- Advanced age
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Lewy body dementia
- Other dementias, like vascular and fronto-temporal dementia
- Stroke or traumatic brain injury
- Parkinson’s disease or other neurological conditions
- Side effects of cancer treatment
How Dementia Care at Home Works
Dementia Care at Home gives you a dedicated care team and a plan that meets your loved one’s needs now and as their condition evolves.
Your care team includes:
- A memory care specialist from IMC
- A VNS Health registered nurse who supervises care
- A home health aide with specialized training
The care plan gives your loved one the care they need and gives you access to experts who understand what life is like caring for someone with dementia.
In-Home Dementia Assessment
When you start dementia care services, the first step is an in-home assessment. An IMC specialist meets with you at your loved one’s home.
During this visit, the specialist will ask questions about your loved one’s daily routine. They might ask about favorite activities, the music they like, and what they struggle with. The specialist will also find out what makes your loved one upset and will listen to your concerns. This helps them understand how to best support your loved one and make their life better. They will also look at the home environment to see if any changes can make it safer and more comfortable for your loved one.
Creating Your Dementia Care Plan
Next, your care team works with you to make a care plan. This plan is personalized, meaning it is made just for your loved one.
The care plan might include activities like doing simple art projects, singing along to favorite songs, or taking short walks. The plan will also give you strategies for handling difficult behaviors, like when your loved one gets upset or confused. The goal of the plan is to help your loved one stay happy and engaged, and to make caregiving easier for you.
Review & Coaching
When the care plan is ready, you’ll meet with the specialist and your home health aide to review it. The specialist will teach you and your aide how to follow the plan, make the home safe, and find community activities.
You’ll also get one-on-one coaching from your specialist. You’ll learn how to handle behaviors like repetitive questions. Your specialist will show you ways to reduce confusion and make life easier. For example, they might suggest labeling drawers and cabinets or using pictures to help your loved one remember where things are.
In-Home Dementia Care
Dementia Care at Home aides receive specialized training in caring for people with memory loss. They learn about the different types of dementia and the common symptoms of each. Aides learn how to communicate with someone with memory loss. They also learn how to respond to behaviors like wandering or agitation in a gentle and effective way.
Your home health aide provides day-to-day care, such as help with bathing, dressing, and eating. They will also keep your loved one company. Your aide will take time to learn your loved one’s needs, and to see the world through your loved one’s eyes. This builds trust, which helps them create a strong connection and provide better care.
Ongoing Caregiver Support
Life with memory loss changes often, and it’s difficult both for the person and their caregiver. Every two weeks, your VNS Health care supervisor will check in to see how things are going and adjust the plan if needed.
VNS Health also offers respite care so you can take breaks and recharge. Respite care means that a trained caregiver will come to take care of your loved one for a short time, so you can rest or take care of other things. Caregiving can be very tiring, and it’s important for you to take care of yourself too.
Does Insurance Cover Dementia Care?
In most cases, Medicare and private insurance cover home care services only when ordered by a doctor. Medicare does not cover Dementia Care at Home. We know that paying for care can be a concern, and we are here to help you find the best way to cover the costs.
Contact Dementia Care at Home
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