Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care

Our experience with Alzheimer’s improves your care experience.

Individuals with memory challenges, mild cognitive impairment, or more advanced dementia do better living in a familiar environment, even as their disease progresses. They’re happier, less agitated, and better able to maintain their quality of life in a place they know and love. We’ve helped hundreds of Georgia families living with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia get the support they need to live safely at home.

We understand Alzheimer’s and dementia

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, problem-solving, language, and other cognitive abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. There are more than one hundred types of dementia, but these four are the most common:

Alzheimer’s disease:

The most common form of dementia impacts short-term memory and language first—and accounts for nearly 70 percent of all dementia cases.

Vascular dementia:

Vascular dementia is one of the least predictable forms of the disease. Caused by a series of small strokes over a long period of time, it can create sudden changes in ability and affect judgment and behavior.

Lewy body dementia:

The third most common form of dementia, Lewy body dementia can cause visual disturbances and delusional thinking, and severely impact walking and balance.

Frontotemporal dementia:

This refers to a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain. It can cause impulse and behavioral changes, language difficulties, and a general sense of apathy.

How we can help

Whether your loved one is experiencing memory problems, confusion, difficulty planning, managing their finances, or completing familiar tasks, our team will support them through these challenges and provide cognitive engagement to improve their quality of life. Before starting care, we’ll get to know them as a person, not just a patient, understanding who your loved one was before their cognitive decline and what they’re passionate about today.
We’ll meet your loved one where they are on their journey and help them continue to be who they are—living safely in the home they love. And we’ll help you and other family members get the support and respite care you need to rest and recharge.

Day-to-day tasks include

Mental stimulation
Physical activities and social engagement
Bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
Light housework
Transportation to medical appointments and other events
Planning and preparing nutritious meals
Grocery shopping
Doing hobbies
Monitoring and giving medications
Keeping records on patient status, changes and all activities
Maintaining a safe environment and consistent routine to lessen agitation or outbursts
Adapting level of care as disease progresses
Managing change in behavior
Assisting with walking or moving from room to room
Getting out of bed
Going to bed
Light laundry
Plus, more

While there’s no cure yet for Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia, there are lifestyle changes as well as medications that can help manage symptoms, which is why taking medications as prescribed is so important. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory problems or other cognitive issues, we encourage you to speak with your doctor.

Over 50 percent of older adults with some type of cognitive impairment never receive a formal diagnosis from their doctor. But the challenges that family caregivers face are real, with or without a diagnosis. If there is a diagnosis early on, it’s typically Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which can cover a variety of symptoms and changes in behavior—and does not always lead to advanced dementia.

Caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia can feel overwhelming—and the journey ahead seems filled with unknowns. But with the right level of support, your loved one still has the capacity for joy, connection, and meaning. Our caregivers have the training, experience, and knowledge to support clients so they can live at home safely and comfortably, even as their illness progresses.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a progressive, degenerative disorder that worsens over time. It breaks down brain tissue affecting areas that control memory, thinking, language and behavior.

There are many symptoms, but some of the most common include:

Difficulty performing ordinary tasks
Misplacing things
Memory loss of recent events, though they may easily recall things from years ago
Having a traffic accident and not able to explain how it happened
Leaving the stove on
Feeling confused or frustrated, especially at night
Changes in sleep patterns
Changes in behavior or mood such as outbursts of anger, being combative or anxious
Trouble walking or poor coordination
Difficulty speaking or problem communicating
Having unwarranted suspicion of family members
There is no cure at this time. However, there are management strategies and actions to take that may help decrease the rate of decline.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's from the Alzheimer's Association

Memory loss that disrupts daily life

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

Challenges in planning or solving problems

Some people living with changes in their memory due to Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

Difficulty completing familiar tasks

People living with memory changes from Alzheimer’s or other dementia often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

Confusion with time or place

People living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

Some people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia could experience vision changes. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving.

New problems with words in speaking or writing

People living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object or use the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”).

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

A person living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.

Decreased or poor judgment

Individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

Withdrawal from work or social activities

A person living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, they may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.

Changes in mood and personality

Individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia may experience mood and personality changes. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone.

If your loved one is in need of Alzheimer’s or dementia care, A Caring Touch for Seniors is here to help. Call us today to learn more about our Alzheimer’s and dementia care services.