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Right at Home of the CSRA helps those with Alzheimer's (1/18/2008)

Discovering the worsened condition of a loved one can be a scary and confusing experience. Across the country, many families are faced with the realization of needing to find someone to help with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other memory related dementia. In fact, an estimated 4.5 Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease, and this number could grow to nearly 16 million by 2050.
Senior care organizations like Right at Home of the CSRA can offer support. “While nursing homes or secured facilities were once the only answer, there are now alternatives that prolong the need for a move to a facility in many cases. One source says that obtaining home care for these clients can help them to remain at home for 12 months or sometimes longer” says Kathy Crist, Owner of Right at Home of the CRRA. “Remaining in familiar surroundings is particularly important to our clients and having the right caregiver in place often helps them thrive.”
Care giving can take its toll on family members. Care giving spouses often won’t ask for help, or admit they need assistance, because they don’t want to burden their adult children. They are so focused on the overwhelming responsibility of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease that they ignore their own physical and mental health needs. Crist says that many caregivers can benefit from just a few “respite” hours per week.
Surveys indicate that 74% of dementia caregivers report that their own needs are unmet and 66% report that their employment is adversely affected by their care giving responsibilities. Respite visits provided a much-needed break for the primary caregiver to leave the home and have some personal time.
For Alzheimer’s patients, Right at Home can send in a “dementia” trained home health aid. The home health aid is usually successful at getting the patient to do things that often become a challenge to the family members -- such as bathing and putting on clean, fresh clothes.
Families should consider all factors when evaluating the conditions of their loved ones. Those with dementia can carry on basic social conversations that camouflage their declining mental condition. Because of this, family members can misinterpret or be in denial of the issues.
     The Right at Home staff attends continuing education classes on topics such as “How to effectively communicate with those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia”. During the class care team members share personal experiences with the Alzheimer’s clients and success stories with others. After the class they are tested to ensure they have comprehended the information.
Not remembering to take medication properly is often on of the first signs of dementia. To help solve this problem, Right at Home offers a computerized Medication Dispenser that releases medication at the prescribed times and monitors missed doses. “I have been amazed with the effectiveness of the medication dispenser, especially with those with advanced Alzheimer’s” says Crist.
Alzheimer’s Disease has touched Kathy Crist’s life both personally and professionally. “I try to be a sponge and absorb as much information as I can on the disease so that I can better help my clients and educate our caregivers. I also support the Alzheimer’s Association and the local Memory Walks” Crist adds. Local Memory Walks raise funds to help provide programs in our community for those effected by Alzheimer’s, and also to help find a cure. Crist encourages all interested to join the local walks.
Not a walker? Great news. You do not have to lace up your shoes to support Memory Walk. Go to www. alz.org/memorywalk ; click on your state and city to register and get started towards doing your part today.
Kathy Crist and the staff at Right at Home are well poised to provide in home assistance to those in Richmond and Columbia counties in Georgia as well as Aiken County in South Carolina. The Right at Home care team is bonded and insured, and is carefully pre-screened prior to hiring. All ongoing care is monitored and supervised by Crist, two Registered Nurse’s and a full time Staffing Coordinator. For more information on Right at Home, you may visit the company’s Web site at www.rightathome.net/csra or call 803-278-0250 for a free consultation.