According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.7 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2018. This number includes an estimated 5.5 million people age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer’s. Below are a few Alzheimer’s facts
- One in 10 people age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia.
- Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.
- Older African-Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.
- Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.
As the number of older Americans grows rapidly, so too will the number of new and existing cases of Alzheimer’s. Review the Five Primary Reasons to consider in-home care for you or your loved one struggling with Alzheimer’s dementia.
Primary Reason 1 – Care in Familiar Surroundings. Familiar surroundings offer a sense of security and peace of mind for everyone involved. In-home care is the ideal starting point for families needing help in the beginning stages of the disease or until it progresses where long-term placement may be required.
Primary Reason 2 – Patients experience comfort in routine. Maintaining daily routines before pre- Alzheimer’s dementia can ease confusion and anxiety. With a well-versed caregiver who understand this, they will make sure to keep your loved one on a proper and familiar schedule keeping them safe, happy, and engaged in their own home.
Primary Reason 3 – Aging at home can slow the advancement of memory loss. The thought of memory loss is hard enough to comprehend, but when combined with being moved into an institutional environment, it can also have a negative impact on the progression of memory loss. Staying home in their community and neighborhood allows your loved one to maintain close friendships that have grown over years of conversations which has shown signs of slowing the decrease in cognitive function. One study found that seniors with “frequent” social activity contact saw a 70 percent reduction in cognitive decline when compared with more isolated individuals.
Primary Reason 4 – Family Traditions. Just because your loved one is changing doesn’t mean that family traditions have to. Nothing beats the comfort and coziness of holidays and milestones being celebrated in the family home. Primary Home Care encourages you to explore keeping your loved one in their home until it is medically necessary.
Primary Reason 5 – In-home care can cost less. Today, many seniors have already paid off their mortgage and own their home. Depending on the Alzheimer’s stage your loved one is in, in-home care can ease the financial costs because Primary Home Care will provide the care when you’re not there.
