It’s easy to assume that once someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another associated dementia, that person has to seek nursing care options. After all, it’s unrealistic for someone with cognitive decline to continue to live alone with dementia safely – or is it?
Data demands the necessity for all of us to think this through for those we love, and maybe even for ourselves one day. Nearly 61% of seniors with dementia in Canada are living outside of long term care or nursing homes. What’s even more concerning is that much of this population lives alone without an identified caregiver.
There are many levels of concern for a senior loved one who wants to live alone with dementia:
An elevated susceptibility to senior scams and exploitation
The skill to manage activities of daily living independently, for example, meals, personal hygiene, household management, and problem-solving
The isolation that arises from a fear of unfamiliar situations and places as confusion increases
However, we also recognize that remaining in the home throughout aging for someone with dementia provides many great positive benefits, such as:
The ability to keep regular routines, making life easier to navigate
The comfort of familiar surroundings and belongings, which provides stability
Self-identity that results from protecting a feeling of belonging
Bringing in a specially trained dementia caregiver to provide support to an aging adult who is choosing to live alone with dementia is a great option to consider.
It’s necessary to note that the sooner you're able to bring in support for someone with Alzheimer's, the better. At even the beginnings of the condition, dementia can progress quickly and make finding home care a very time sensitive task. By starting slowly with only a small amount of assistance, perhaps with housework, laundry, and meals, you can then build up to a higher level of care easily as needed.
At The Care Company, we establish a personalized care plan that is reviewed and modified as needed ongoing – so if the need is for just a couple hours each week of assistance, or full-time, 24-hour care, we can help seniors continue to live at home for a lifetime.
Our highly trained dementia care team can ensure comfort and safety throughout each stage of the disease, easing challenges such as:
Aggression
Wandering
Frustration
Agitation
Cognitive challenges
And more
With our senior home care in Toronto and the nearby areas, our caregivers offer the social interaction, mental stimulation, and encouragement to remain physically active, which all lead to a much better quality of life. Contact us online or at (416) 422-2273 for a complimentary consultation to learn more about how we can help someone you love continue to live where it’s most comfortable – at home – for a lifetime.