For seniors with dementia and their loved ones, it can be overwhelming to know where to turn to for care. Here’s a closer look at the benefits of both skilled home health care and hospice services for seniors with dementia.

What Is Skilled Home Health Care?

Skilled home health care supports seniors by managing symptoms and maintaining independence. Instead of in a hospital or care community, this type of care offers seniors with dementia numerous benefits right from the comfort of their own home.

Benefits Of Skilled Home Health Care For Those With Dementia

Some benefits of skilled home health care include:

  • Professional Care. Skilled home health care is provided by trained and licensed health care clinicians, such as nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. All skilled home health care providers have the expertise to offer a professional level of care wherever seniors call home. For seniors with dementia and complex care needs, this professional care can be especially important.
  • Regular Check-Ins And Monitoring. Skilled home health care can include regular check-ins and monitoring of a senior’s health. These regular visits can help identify and address any issues early on before they become more serious. Essentially, home health care can offer an extra set of eyes on a patient which can help prevent hospitalizations and improve overall health outcomes.
  • Management Of Symptoms. With the oversight of a behavioral health professional, home health care can help manage the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, such as agitation and confusion, because these clinicians are trained to identify agitators in the patient’s environment and improve the senior’s quality of life.
  • Rehabilitation. Skilled home health care can provide rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy. Both can help improve mobility and function and help seniors with dementia maintain their independence.
  • Coordination Of Care. Coordinating care with other health care professionals is another benefit of skilled home health care. Skilled home health professionals can consult with the individual’s primary care physician and ensure that all of their health care needs are being met. It provides a holistic view into the patient’s care plan.

What Is Hospice Care?

For seniors with advanced dementia, hospice care can provide comfort and support to improve their quality of life. Hospice is not intended to offer a cure, but rather the goal of hospice is to provide comfort and support during the final stages of life.

Benefits Of Hospice For Those With Dementia

Some benefits of hospice care for dementia patients include:

  • Symptom Management. Hospice services help to manage the physical and emotional symptoms of dementia, such as pain, fatigue and agitation. They can improve the overall quality of life of a senior with dementia.
  • Comfort Measures. Providing comfort care, such as massages, music therapy and pet therapy, can help reduce stress and improve quality of life. Hospice care providers specialize in offering these types of comfort measures.
  • Support For Caregivers. It can be challenging to care for loved ones with dementia. For caregivers, hospice can include support with managing their loved one’s care, including respite care, counseling and support groups, which can help alleviate caregiver burden and prevent burnout.
  • Advance Care Planning. Support with facilitating advance care planning, which involves discussing and documenting the senior’s preferences for end-of-life care, is included with hospice services. This can help ensure that a senior’s wishes are respected and will provide support to the patient’s loved ones.