Dementia can be a frightening diagnosis, both for the senior receiving it and for their loved ones. As dementia progresses, daily activities become more difficult and personalities may change. It’s normal for families to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to provide the best care.
At ComForCare of Tri-Valley, we understand these challenges intimately. For over 15 years, our team of experienced, compassionate caregivers has specialized in supporting seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. We know that no two cases are alike, which is why we build customized care plans focused on the unique needs of each client.
Whether you’re looking for assistance with daily tasks, safety supervision, or just a helping hand and listening ear, our caregivers are ready to support your loved one 24/7. Let’s take a closer look at how our dementia care services can help.
Understanding the Stages of Dementia
Dementia refers to a group of symptoms that negatively impact memory, communication, and thinking. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases. Other types include vascular, Lewy body, and frontotemporal dementia.
Regardless of the specific diagnosis, dementia progresses gradually in three stages:
Early Stage:
- Memory problems like forgetting familiar names and misplacing items start to occur.
- May experience mood changes, confusion in new settings.
- Still able to function independently for the most part.
Middle Stage:
- Memory loss and confusion increase, especially regarding time and place.
- Difficulty concentrating. Struggles with problem solving.
- Needs assistance with more complex tasks like finances and medications.
Late Stage:
- Severe memory loss, even forgetfulness of close family members.
- Limited vocabulary, difficulty communicating.
- Needs full-time help with daily living activities and safety supervision.
Our caregivers are intimately familiar with the symptoms and challenges of each stage, allowing us to provide appropriate support as dementia progresses.
Developing a Specialized Care Plan
We take time to get to know each client living with dementia, learning their unique needs, preferences and life story. This enables us to develop customized care plans that focus on supporting capabilities, not just disabilities. Our caregivers are then trained on the specifics of each plan.
Some examples of how we can provide specialized assistance include:
- Simplifying tasks into manageable steps.
- Using visual cues and reminders.
- Keeping consistent daily routines.
- Redirecting from distressing subjects.
- Encouraging safe physical activity.
- Preparing favorite foods.
- Providing reassurance and respect.
We also educate families on dementia and recommend strategies for meaningful connection with their loved one at each stage. Our goal is to preserve quality of life while ensuring a safe, comforting environment.
Daily Assistance Tailored to Current Abilities
Living independently becomes difficult for those with dementia. Our caregivers can provide as much or as little support with daily living tasks as needed. This may include:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Grooming
- Toileting
- Mobility
- Eating
We remind clients of each step in a gentle, friendly manner. With middle to late stage dementia, hands-on assistance is often required while still encouraging them to do what they can.
For meals, we keep favorite foods on hand that are easy to chew and digest. We provide verbal cues to use utensils and take bites. Sometimes hand feeding is necessary.
With mobility, we may use a gait belt for stability and prevent falls. We also help with transferring in and out of bed or a chair. Safety is always the priority.
Medication Management and Oversight
It can be dangerous for those with dementia to manage their own medications. Our caregivers take on this responsibility fully, including:
- Organizing medications.
- Reminding clients when to take them.
- Administering proper dosages.
- Refilling prescriptions.
- Updating family members on usage.
- Coordinating with healthcare providers.
We ensure medications are taken correctly and on time, allowing peace of mind. We can also provide transportation to doctor visits and checkups as required.
Supervision for Safety at Home
Due to memory impairment, individuals with dementia are at risk when left alone. Our caregivers provide supervision 24/7 to prevent unsafe situations, like:
- Forgetting appliances on.
- Wandering from home.
- Falling.
- Difficulty during emergencies.
We remain vigilant about potential dangers without being overbearing. For instances when they insist on doing something unwise, we patiently explain why it’s unsafe. We seek to protect their dignity while preventing avoidable injury or harm.
Our support also includes securing exits, keeping environments clutter-free, and removing dangerous objects. For added protection, we recommend installing monitoring devices with alerts, like door sensors or video.
Support for Personal Hygiene
With dementia, personal hygiene like bathing and oral care may start to decline. Our caregivers gently assist with:
- Bathing and sponge baths.
- Hair grooming and nail care.
- Brushing teeth.
- Shaving men.
- Applying creams and lotions.
We go at their pace and provide verbal cues when necessary. For those resistant, we try again later when they’re in a better mood. Maintaining hygiene routines nurtures self-esteem while benefiting physical health.
Our Approach: Person-Centered Dementia Care
At ComForCare of Tri-Valley, our philosophy is that each senior with dementia deserves personalized care that honors their unique needs and life experiences. We practice “person-centered care,” meaning our clients are partners in developing their care plans, not just recipients.
With this approach, we get to know their preferences in order to create positive daily experiences. We also seek to understand their reality and never invalidate their feelings. There’s no such thing as a “difficult” client—just care partnerships requiring creative solutions.
This can mean playing along with a client’s altered sense of time, like agreeing it’s morning even if it’s actually late afternoon. Or allowing them to sort buttons if they believe it’s important work. We meet your loved one where they are to reduce anxiety and agitation.
Our caregivers are selected for their compassion, patience, and ability to form meaningful connections. We nurture the whole person inside—past accomplishments, cherished beliefs, talents, and quirks. Laughter, music, leisure activities, and time outdoors are all part of the care we provide.
When you choose ComForCare of Tri-Valley for dementia care, you’re not just getting experience and training. You’re getting heart. Let us know how we can support you.
