Alwsys a Home Setting as long as they're wanted there. They will get more love, ect. The only time a lived one should be put in a care home is if they want to go or if they don't have a lived one willing to have them in their home.
I also thought home would be doable. But constant falls necessitated hospital then rehab Many times in addition to usual dementia Problems made caring for LO at home a living h*ll for caregiver. Try it...but research MC facilities as they are equipped to handle 24/7 care.
First off, after reading your profile, you state that you "have no authority". That needs to be addressed immediately, before his dementia gets worse. You must have a medical and durable POA in place, so you can make decisions for your dad down the road when needed. A living will should also be in place.
Now to your question. I believe the answer really is a personal decision. If you feel you can handle the day to day chores of caring for someone you love with mental decline,(who will only continue to get worse) then by all means try it. You sound like you're in a position to at least give it a try. If for some reason it doesn't work out, you can at that time always look for a nice facility to place him in. It certainly won't be easy caring for him, but you don't want to look back at your life and have any regrets. Wishing you the very best.
It depends. Can someone properly care for the Dementia patient at home? Are they able to care for someone that will go from walking and being aware of what they are doing all the way to being bed bound? From walking unassisted to having to use a Hoyer Lift to aid in transferring the patient? Is the home set up for ALL aspects of care? Any barriers? Any stairs? Wide doorways? Large bathroom? Is it safe for the patient and for the caregivers? Is the patient violent? What happens if they become violent?
I based keeping my Husband at home on just 1 thing. SAFETY. If it was no longer safe for HIM for me to care for him at home I would have to place him in a Memory Care Facility. If it was no longer safe for ME to care for him at home I would have to place him in a Memory Care Facility. Thankfully the house we moved into had been built Handicap accessible so the house was no problem He was compliant and was never violent so my safety was never an issue. With the help of Hospice I had all the equipment I needed so he was always safe as was I. With Hospice I also had support and education so mentally and emotionally I was in a good place. I think he did very well at home. There were things that he was able to do far longer than what would be "typical" but there were other things that he could not do form early on. I think it all depends on what parts of the brain are effected the most AND the type of dementia. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's but as things progressed (and I learned more) I think he also had Vascular Dementia. (It was never diagnosed as such and I did not want to put him through testing to confirm it as it would not have made a difference in the outcome or his treatment/medications)
In a home with NO stimulation, NO interaction I think a facility would be better but if you are willing to provide stimulation and activity as long as it is safe I think your dad would do well at home.
Can you answer the questions “What specific parts of his life would be better if he were living in your home?” “What specific advantages are there to letting him continue where he is living now”?
Does he have friends and social connections in his present residence? Is he eating and sleeping well there? Are you able to make short frequent visits to him throughout the week (Covid taken into account).
Assuming that you are keeping in mind that symptoms of dementia can increase very quickly but almost never change for the better, are you prepared to manage when difficulties with his care increase? You say “at home with family” but also that he has no family nearby but you. Taking care of a person with dementia, even with help, can contain a lot of “unknowns”.
If his residence is presently Covid free you might want to consider putting off your decision until the virus is in more control. Decision making at this time is always more complicated than it would be without that to contend with.
Hopes and good thoughts for you both, whatever you decide.
It depends. Also, remember it is not just what is best for dad, it is what is best for family members. Some people can effectively handle being the caregiver and some cannot. And that is ok.
If dad's dementia is mild now maybe assisted living would be a good choice if there are no family members that are able to help him. We really need more information to be able to answer. How old is he? Has he been officially diagnosed? What symptoms is he showing? Is he in a safe place? Are his will, POA's and other documents in place? Has he seen an elder law attorney for advice? Does he have financial resources to pay for Care?
It depends on so many factors. It is not a one size fits all answer.
The only time a lived one should be put in a care home is if they want to go or if they don't have a lived one willing to have them in their home.
I also thought home would be doable. But constant falls necessitated hospital then rehab Many times in addition to usual dementia Problems made caring for LO at home a living h*ll for caregiver. Try it...but research MC facilities as they are equipped to handle 24/7 care.
Now to your question. I believe the answer really is a personal decision. If you feel you can handle the day to day chores of caring for someone you love with mental decline,(who will only continue to get worse) then by all means try it. You sound like you're in a position to at least give it a try. If for some reason it doesn't work out, you can at that time always look for a nice facility to place him in. It certainly won't be easy caring for him, but you don't want to look back at your life and have any regrets. Wishing you the very best.
Can someone properly care for the Dementia patient at home?
Are they able to care for someone that will go from walking and being aware of what they are doing all the way to being bed bound?
From walking unassisted to having to use a Hoyer Lift to aid in transferring the patient?
Is the home set up for ALL aspects of care?
Any barriers? Any stairs? Wide doorways? Large bathroom?
Is it safe for the patient and for the caregivers?
Is the patient violent? What happens if they become violent?
I based keeping my Husband at home on just 1 thing.
SAFETY.
If it was no longer safe for HIM for me to care for him at home I would have to place him in a Memory Care Facility.
If it was no longer safe for ME to care for him at home I would have to place him in a Memory Care Facility.
Thankfully the house we moved into had been built Handicap accessible so the house was no problem
He was compliant and was never violent so my safety was never an issue.
With the help of Hospice I had all the equipment I needed so he was always safe as was I.
With Hospice I also had support and education so mentally and emotionally I was in a good place.
I think he did very well at home. There were things that he was able to do far longer than what would be "typical" but there were other things that he could not do form early on. I think it all depends on what parts of the brain are effected the most AND the type of dementia. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's but as things progressed (and I learned more) I think he also had Vascular Dementia. (It was never diagnosed as such and I did not want to put him through testing to confirm it as it would not have made a difference in the outcome or his treatment/medications)
In a home with NO stimulation, NO interaction I think a facility would be better but if you are willing to provide stimulation and activity as long as it is safe I think your dad would do well at home.
Does he have friends and social connections in his present residence? Is he eating and sleeping well there? Are you able to make short frequent visits to him throughout the week (Covid taken into account).
Assuming that you are keeping in mind that symptoms of dementia can increase very quickly but almost never change for the better, are you prepared to manage when difficulties with his care increase? You say “at home with family” but also that he has no family nearby but you. Taking care of a person with dementia, even with help, can contain a lot of “unknowns”.
If his residence is presently Covid free you might want to consider putting off your decision until the virus is in more control. Decision making at this time is always more complicated than it would be without that to contend with.
Hopes and good thoughts for you both, whatever you decide.
If dad's dementia is mild now maybe assisted living would be a good choice if there are no family members that are able to help him. We really need more information to be able to answer. How old is he? Has he been officially diagnosed? What symptoms is he showing? Is he in a safe place? Are his will, POA's and other documents in place? Has he seen an elder law attorney for advice? Does he have financial resources to pay for Care?
It depends on so many factors. It is not a one size fits all answer.