Home-Based Care Options
 How do I know if home-based care is the best option?
When should long-term care be considered?
How do I know if home-based care is the best option?
Deciding whether to choose home-based care for a loved one who has Alzheimer's may be a difficult consideration. Decisions about care are best made in the early stages of the disease, when the person with Alzheimer's can take part in the decision-making process. Other family members who will be affected should also be part of the process.
Caring for a person with Alzheimer's in their own home has the obvious benefit of enabling the person to remain in surroundings that are familiar to them and, presumably, bring them comfort. But home-based care may also require that adjustments and modifications be made to the home. The type and extent of modifications depend upon the stage of the illness and the individual needs of the person with the disease. (Please see Modifying the Home, under Treatment, for more on this topic.)
Community programs that serve the needs of the elderly are vital resources to the caregiver. Your state or local agency on aging can guide you to the right resources near you. Elsewhere in this section, you can find information about home-care services, care managers, respite services and adult day care.
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When should long-term care be considered?
As Alzheimer's progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult for the person suffering to be cared for at home. He or she may require skilled care or more extensive care than can be maintained at home. When the time comes, you'll need to make decisions about long-term care. There are many options, encompassing a broad spectrum of residential facilities, assisted-living communities and skilled nursing homes.
Elsewhere in this section, you'll find databases to locate services and information on various long-term-care options, including:
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