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When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you may have done everything possible to maintain their routine and independence. However, as the condition progresses, their need for support grows. Caring for someone with dementia involves recognizing changes in their abilities, adjusting to those changes, and making difficult decisions about how best to assist them. Eventually, dementia patients will require professional help, either in their home or at a long-term care facility such as an assisted living, nursing home, or memory care facility.
Is it time for your family member with dementia to receive more at-home care, or should they transition to a nursing home? Reflecting on the following factors will help ensure their safety while making the right arrangements for both them and your caregiving family.
Evaluate the costs involved
In the United States, many caregiving and healthcare choices are driven by costs, often taking precedence over what might be best for the person requiring care. Womp womp. It’s a harsh reality, but one that requires practical thinking.
First, don’t assume that the cost of in-home care will be less than that of a nursing home. The amount of care your loved one needs depends on the stage of their dementia. Would a few visits from an aide each week suffice to fill the gaps in your schedule, or do their other health conditions require constant nursing care?
Begin by reaching out to home-care agencies and nursing homes to discuss your family’s needs and compare their services. Key cost factors will include how many care hours you require each week and how much independence your loved one retains with daily tasks.
For context, the national average monthly cost for in-home care (40 hours per week) is approximately $4,500; assisted living also averages $4,500 per month, while a private nursing home room typically costs around $9,000 monthly.
Assess their stage of cognitive decline
Deciding whether to hire a home caregiver or move your loved one to a nursing home hinges on how much they can still manage independently and how their abilities are anticipated to evolve. Understand the stages of dementia and determine where your family member falls within that progression. Overcome any denial—common among families—to gain an honest assessment of what your caregiving needs truly are.
Evaluate your support network
The level of professional care needed by a person with dementia is influenced by the amount of support they receive from family. Let go of any feelings of guilt regarding distance or burnout from caregiving. Consider not just the needs of the elderly family member, but the well-being of your entire family support system. Requiring professional care is a legitimate aspect of eldercare, not a sign of family failure.
Who in your family or community can assist regularly while maintaining their own health and balance? What parts of your family member’s day are unmanageable, or when might they be unsafe to be left alone without more assistance?
Home care versus a memory care facility
Let’s explore the specific services you can expect from at-home care in contrast to a memory care facility or nursing home.
Home-care services can range from providing companionship on occasion to offering round-the-clock medical supervision. While home-care workers are typically not nurses, they can offer the following services either as needed or on a regular daily or weekly basis:
Companionship
Transportation
Assistance with bathing, dressing, and toileting
Medication reminders
Meal preparation
Housekeeping and laundry
Relief for family caregivers who need a break
Healthcare professionals such as nurses and physical therapists can also visit the home as necessary.
The advantages of home care include remaining in familiar surroundings, additional support for family caregivers, scheduling flexibility, and personalized attention.
In contrast, a memory care community offers services such as housekeeping, meal preparation, personal care assistance, medication management, security and safety features, round-the-clock trained staff, as well as organized activities and social engagements.
During the later stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s, individuals may lose the ability to walk or feed themselves, and may also become more susceptible to secondary infections or illnesses.
By understanding your budget, the cost and availability of various services, and your family’s capacity to support your loved one with dementia, you can make more informed decisions about when to transition to additional care services as their needs evolve.
