Caring for a loved one with memory problems can be difficult. The disease’s nature makes it necessary for those who it afflicts, to be treated gently and with great kindness. Hearts for Dementia Home Care has a robust dementia program designed to help your loved one live their best life at home.
Assessment
Our Dementia Care Practitioner will complete an in-home assessment. The assessment will include observation of a person with dementia in their own environment.
The assessment will reveal family interaction, personal interests, stage of dementia, communication difficulties, physical abilities, behaviors, triggers, needs, and necessary supports.
The Dementia Care Practitioner will discuss pertinent information from the assessment with the Personal Care Attendant (PCA). Best care methods will be shared with the PCA on how to manage and care for the person with dementia. Ongoing education and communication while receiving care will allow the PCA to provide exceptional interaction and engagement with the person with dementia.
Matching
Hearts For Dementia Home Care Personal Care Attendant’s are specifically matched with clients based on personality as well as care needs and requirements. Individuals struggling with dementia need consistent care with familiar faces. It is important to find the right relationship to build trust and confidence.
Care Plans
Care plans are tailored and personalized to meet your loved one’s needs. An in-depth personal questionnaire is key to understanding the challenges faced by those with dementia. Structure and routine are integrated into the care plan while still allowing some flexibility based on how your loved one is feeling on any given day. Care plans are re-evaluated to address individual needs as they change over time.
Caregiver Training
Once the assessment is completed, Personal Care Attendant’s receive tailored training from our Dementia Care Practitioner specific to the needs of your loved one. Best communication approaches and needs are discussed.
Personal Care Attendant’s also receive training from our Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer. The training curriculum was developed by The National Council for Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP). Our Trainer is a Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of health care experience and a doctoral student at Yale University with a research focus on managing behaviors in persons with dementia.
Personal Care Attendant’s complete the National Council for Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar led by a Certified Alzheimer’s disease dementia trainer. The NCCDP is a global leader and pioneer in dementia education and certifications. Hearts For Dementia Home Care Personal Care Attendant’s complete instructor led training. Personal Care Attendant’s are required to have a minimum of 6 hours of ongoing training per year.
Hearts For Dementia Home Care believes in continuing education for all staff to ensure they are exercising the latest techniques to help your loved one. The NCCDP curriculum is recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, universities, and healthcare organizations across the country.
Topics in this training curriculum include but are not limited to:
- Overview of Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease: Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment
- Communication
- Feelings and Repetitive Behaviors
- Wandering, Hoarding, Paranoia, and Hallucinations
- Sundowning
- Aggressive and Catastrophic Behaviors
- Depression
- Personal Care; Pain, Bathing, Eating, Swallowing, Nutrition, Dressing, Toileting, and Sleep Disturbances
- Environment: Changes That Make a Difference
- Diversity and Cultural Competence
Montessori-Based Dementia Programming
The Montessori philosophy allows your loved one to stay engaged in activities with meaning and purpose based on interests prior to their dementia. Montessori-based activities uses a person-centered approach to keep them engaged in meaningful activities that will help enhance participation and enjoyment. Engaging in purposeful activities activate the mind by using the sensory, motor, cognitive, and social aspects of the brain. Personal Care Attendant’s will implement the Montessori Method for Dementia throughout the day as part of your loved one’s care plan.
Facilitated Caregiver Support Groups
Coming Soon!
Hearts For Dementia Home Care facilitate a Caregiver Support Groups on a monthly basis for those caring for a loved one with dementia. This will be a safe place to encourage members to share stories and information and offer empathic validation and support. An educational component may be added to the structure of the session.