When a senior loved one is diagnosed with dementia, understanding and accessing the right healthcare services is essential. Navigating complex healthcare systems can be overwhelming, but knowing how to approach this process can make a significant difference in providing the right support and care.
Understand Dementia & Its Impact
Before you begin navigating the healthcare system, it’s essential to understand what dementia entails. Dementia is a collection of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain, and it impacts memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, but there are other forms, such as vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia.
Being aware of the specific type of dementia can help you tailor care approaches and ensure better communication with healthcare professionals. It’s also critical to understand that dementia is progressive, meaning your loved one’s care needs will evolve over time.
Find a Primary Care Provider
Your first step in navigating healthcare systems for dementia support should involve engaging with a reliable primary care provider. A family doctor or a general practitioner often serves as the first point of contact and can guide you on the healthcare pathway by referring specialists or diagnostic services.
Primary care providers play an essential role in assessing cognitive decline and ordering basic diagnostic tests. Once dementia is confirmed, they can coordinate ongoing care and direct you to the resources you need, such as geriatricians, neurologists, or memory clinics. Make sure to communicate openly and keep detailed records of your loved one’s symptoms and health history.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of homecare. You can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the progression of dementia.
Look into Specialists & Multidisciplinary Teams
Depending on the stage and type of dementia, your loved one may require care from specialists or a multidisciplinary healthcare team. Neurologists, psychologists, and geriatricians are among the professionals who can assess, diagnose, and manage dementia symptoms.
Neurologists generally focus on the underlying brain changes causing dementia. Psychologists or psychiatrists can provide behavior management strategies and manage mood-related symptoms like anxiety or depression, commonly associated with dementia. Geriatricians specialize in the overall health and wellbeing of older adults, ensuring other medical conditions are managed alongside dementia. Working with a healthcare team can help you address all aspects of dementia care, from managing physical health issues to adapting to cognitive or behavioral changes.
Access Community Support Services
Healthcare systems often include community-based services designed to assist dementia patients and their caregivers. These services may vary depending on your location but typically include resources such as support groups, day programs, respite care, and dementia-focused social workers.
Support groups, for instance, provide caregivers with much-needed emotional support and practical advice from others in similar situations. Respite services allow caregivers short breaks by offering temporary care for loved ones, whether at home or in an external facility. It’s essential to contact local organizations or dementia-focused nonprofits to learn about available community support services and how to access them.
Utilize Long-Term Care Options
For many families, ensuring long-term care becomes an important part of the healthcare navigation process. Long-term care may range from in-home care provided by family members and professional caregivers to assisted living facilities and nursing homes specializing in dementia care.
When exploring these options, inquire about the facility’s staff training, safety measures for dementia patients, and available therapeutic services. Choosing the right environment ensures your loved one receives personalized care and remains as comfortable as possible.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide home care service. Wilmington families can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties.
Plan for Financial & Legal Needs
The cost of dementia care can be significant, so planning for financial and legal needs is a vital step. Many healthcare systems provide resources for understanding insurance coverage, Medicare, Medicaid, or relevant state-specific programs.
Additionally, it’s crucial to establish legal documents, such as power of attorney for healthcare and finances, while your loved one is still capable of making decisions. Consulting with elder care attorneys or financial advisors who specialize in dementia-related care can help you ensure both the financial sustainability of care and your loved one’s best interests.
Even when families have the best intentions, caring for a senior loved one with dementia can be challenging. Fortunately, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. We are a leading provider of dementia care. Wilmington families can take advantage of our flexible and customizable care plans, and our caregivers always stay up to date on the latest developments in senior care. Schedule a free in-home consultation by giving us a call today.
