Signs It's Time for In-Home Senior Care for Your Spouse with Alzheimer's Disease

Posted on: 25 November 2019

Having a spouse who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's is a tough situation, and you will no doubt want to be their primary caregiver for as long as you possibly can. As much as you would like to do everything for your other half, there will likely come a time when in-home senior care will become necessary. How do you know when that time has come? Here are some of the signs it's time for in-home senior care for your spouse. 

Your spouse has wandered off a few times without you knowing. 

Individuals with Alzheimer's disease, especially those in advanced stages, often get really confused about things. This confusion can lead to them wandering off. Your spouse may wander off when you are taking a shower or if you leave them alone to run a few errands. It is extremely dangerous for someone with Alzheimer's to wander off on their own. If you have experienced your spouse wandering off, it is a good sign that it is time to hire someone to help. 

You have medical issues of your own. 

Older caregivers often have or develop their own medical concerns, which can make it even more difficult to provide around-the-clock care for someone who has Alzheimer's disease. Even more concerning, the stress of being a full-time caregiver for someone else can exacerbate some medical conditions. For example, if you have heart disease, the extra stress of caregiving can cause your own condition to decline. In these situations, it is best to consider in-home senior care service on at least a part-time basis. Remember, you have to put your own health first or your spouse could end up without anyone to help care for them. 

You are struggling to assist your spouse with daily care needs. 

As Alzheimer's disease progresses and your spouse gets older, their mobility can be even more affected. In the beginning, it may be easy to occasionally help your spouse shower or change their clothes. However, as they grow weaker and they need more assistance, it can be strenuous for you to aid them with these every day tasks. For instance, if you are a rather small-framed person and you have a spouse who is a lot heavier than you, it can be quite the challenge to assist them when they need help getting up from a seated position. 

The decision for in-home senior care can be a tough one. Talk to a company like Home Helpers Dallas to learn if this service is right for you. 

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