My aunt is suffering from this disease and we are not able to handle her alone. While browsing, I had noticed that there is some efficient elderly care home in Toronto ( c-care health services ) which are providing 24 hours nursing care. Some are providing independent and assisted living services. Which will be best for my aunt? By the way, she is refusing to go to any nursing home. Do I want to hire a caregiver instead? I’m confused. Please help me.
Where is she living now? Persons with dementia cannot live alone beyond the very earliest stage, so either in-home help, living with family, or placement in a care center is required.
Many ALZ patients can live in a private home (with aides or with family) for many years. In other cases the patient quickly moves into a stage where a professional care setting is needed. Perhaps that is where your aunt is at, since you are not able to handle her alone.
For most of us, cost is a factor. The most expensive option is usually 24-hour care at home, either live-in caregivers or 3 shifts per day.
Explain a little more about your aunt's situation and we may be able to tell you things to consider. But each case is different and one size does not fit all!
The question is, what does she need assistance with? Can she walk, toilet, bathe and dress herself
? Prepare meals, feed herself?
Look up "activities of daily living" and you'll get an idea of what she needs help with.
Also I would contact the Office of the Aging in your area as they are very helpful to connect you with resources/Nursing Homes/Assisted Living Facilities that are available in your area. Some Assisted Living Facilities are for Veterans here too.
Some Nursing Homes here in NY (USA) have Assisted Living and then if needed a place to go into Long Term Care if needed which is a part of the facility.
Some ALs will be better equipped to handle someone with Alzheimer's than others, you will need to shrewdly assess the level of care each one truly provides and have it in writing if you go that route. And remember you always pay more for each additional service.
A limited amount of home care can be provided by CCAC, up to 60 hours a month (but good luck getting that much). You can also purchase extra care as needed.
In the US, nursing homes are normally for those residents who need skilled nursing care. Whereas Assisted Living is for those who don't need skilled nursing care, but do need assistance with their daily functions, like bathing, dressing, taking medications, etc. Memory Care is also assisted living, but geared towards those with significant dementia that requires more extensive one on one care for their daily needs. In NC, residents of Memory Care facilities can stay there for the rest of their lives, even if they become bed bound, as long as they don't require skilled nursing care. They handle those residents who are incontinent and hand feed those who need it.
I might discuss her diagnosis and prognosis with her doctor. Do you have legal consent to act on her behalf? I might discuss what that involves with legal counsel where she resides.
I have progressed from dealing with hoarding, to wandering. Then a broken hip, we pretty much went through rehab together. Walking with a walker, then having to use a "sit to stand" to help him get up. Then progressed to no longer walking and using a Hoyer lift.
He is still at home. He is safe.
I will admit I have it easier than some he is not combative or abusive. He has been non verbal for about 6 years.
It is not easy.
It is not fun.
There are rewarding times.
but I know he is getting good care.
he is probably healthier than he would be in a facility.
he is alive longer than he would have been if I had placed him when he broke his hip 3 years ago.
So some
Alzheimer's patients can be handled at home.
Again it is not easy.
At this point I do have help and support from Hospice. And for that I will be ever grateful.
I guess it helps that we have had a good life and that we love each other. I can not imagine doing this for a spouse that you do not love. And we all know someone in a marriage like that.
and I also could not do this if my safety or his was in doubt.
Thanks for the "great job." it is nice to hear that. I think we all need to say that to ourselves a little more often. Don't be so hard on ourselves. Nothing will ever be perfect but we can hope that we have done our best and that is all anyone can ask of us.