Got questions about dementia homecare? We’re here to help! Call (516) 501-9152
No illness is more debilitating and worrisome than Alzheimer’s or dementia. It’s heartbreaking when a parent fails to recognize you, or his or her personality changes. It also makes the caregiving process a bit more challenging, so our dementia home care professionals always account for the illness-related behavior.
Although there are currently thousands of Alzheimer’s research initiatives, by most estimates, a cure is almost a decade away. That means the best we can do is to slow the progression of the disease as much as possible. Dr. Fillit, Chairman of the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation and LifeWorx Advisory Board Member, recommends taking these steps:
A LifeWorx Alzheimer’s and dementia home care professional can make sure your loved one has all the above. Take, for instance, Claire*, who called us one day from Stuyvesant Town in Manhattan. In a shaky voice, she told us that her husband, Tom*, was sitting at the park, refusing to return home. We recommended she just go be with him where he was. She obliged and promised to be back in touch. A few minutes later, she called again and said she was afraid of Tom, who was a large man.
Claire and Tom had loved each other for more than 40 years, but he was now suffering from a serious case of Alzheimer’s, which was rapidly worsening of late. Somehow, they had ended up in the park outside their apartment, wondering what their next steps would be. We told Claire that we would send over an Alzheimer’s care professional who would know how to positively persuade her husband, understand the changes in his thinking and moods, and be a friend.
Tom and his new caregiver hit it off within an hour, and as they did, Tom calmed down. The caregiver immediately began dementia home care with Tom. Later, Claire called again and thanked us, saying she had slept well that night. These days, the caregiver is a constant companion, even traveling with Claire and Tom to their vacation home. “I feel like I have my life back,” Claire said.
Being the spouse of someone with Alzheimer’s is difficult, as is being that person’s child. You’re troubled by your loved one’s illness and it becomes more complex and unpredictable to interact with him or her. Sometimes it’s difficult to disengage emotionally, but it’s best to do so, and often to employ an intermediary as well. There’s no doubt that home care for elderly people with dementia can be difficult. But Alzheimer’s care professionals have taken care of a wide variety of Alzheimer’s patients, from those who are sweet and kind to those who are deeply frustrated. They understand that in difficult moments, it is the illness speaking and not the person. They shrug off these tough times and put their heart into providing the care your loved one needs.
*Names changed for anonymity
No illness is more debilitating and worrisome than Alzheimer’s or dementia--it’s normal to be worried, feel sad and have lots of questions.
LEARN MOREA LifeWorx Alzheimer’s and dementia home care professional can make sure your loved one is well-taken care of.
Watch nowOur dementia elderly care professionals have taken care of a wide variety of Alzheimer’s patients, from those who are sweet and kind to those who are deeply frustrated.
LEARN MORELocated just 20 miles outside of Manhattan, our office in Great Neck is right at home in this quaint, upscale town. Servicing all of Nassau and Suffolk counties, our team here is well-equipped to meet the high standards of one of the country’s most affluent areas. There is a high demand for our in-home care services here and our clients love the area for its pristine golf courses and proximity to the Long Island Sound, perhaps best known as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s inspiration for “The Great Gatsby.”
While all our offices work together as a team, it’s best to contact the location closest to where care is needed. The care coordinators and office staff are familiar with the available pool of local caregivers and can select the most compatible candidates for you.
1) Check out Museum Row – Located in Garden City, this education metroplex is a destination for The Long Island Children’s Museum, The Nassau Firefighter’s museum, The Cradle of Aviation Museum, and The Nassau County Veterans Museum. You could easily fill a few days learning about everything from earth and science to F-14 planes.
2) Step Back in Time – The Old Bethpage Village Restoration includes 51 historic buildings such as an inn, a store, and a church in order to give an accurate depiction of pre Civil War life. Actors will even come to dress in costumes to recreate this custom colonial life.
3) Stroll through Americana – Once called The Rodeo Drive of the East Coast, with over 60 international boutique in location, Americana in Manhasset is home brand names like Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karen, Gucci, and Fendi
4) Explore the outdoors with The Sands Point Park and Preserve – Featuring hiking grounds and trails that lead to the Long Island Sound, this spot is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a cross-country skiing excursion on a winter day. Don’t forget to check out the castle-like mansions; Hempstead House, Castle Gould, and Falaise. Falaise, built by Harry S. Guggenheim houses antiques dated back to the 16th century with renowned pieces of Renaissance art.
5) Play with the Pros – Bethpage Black course, home of the U.S Open in 2002 and 2009 is the only public Golf Course on The PGA Tour. Its difficulty level brings some of the sport’s top players. If you’re not in the mood for the links, you can also picnic, hike, play tennis, or horseback ride in the surrounding state park.
6) Take in the Triple Crown – Belmont Park is one of the oldest tracks in the nation for the sport of thoroughbred racing. Even if there is a day without a race, you can enjoy the fine dining, picnic facilities, and petting zoo the park has to offer.
7) Visit the Presidential Summer Home – Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th President of The United Stated referred to Sagamore Hill as his “Summer White House”. He resided here until his death in 1919. Managed by the National Parks Service, the park also features an Audubon Center and Songbird Sanctuary.
8) Head to the Beach – Jones Beach State Park is the largest public beach in the world with 6.5 miles of uninterrupted beach front. The boardwalk itself spans two miles. As you stroll the boardwalk, make sure to look out for local basketball games, deck games, a miniature golf course, and free concerts. You can also fish from the piers or go bird watching at the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center. While heading towards the ocean, make sure to check out the equally as impressive Long Beach, a quintessential surf town with laid back vibes.
9) Graze through the Gardens – Long Island is home to some beautiful pastures. The Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay allows you and your family to wander the grounds of the Gold Coast and its formal gardens and greenhouses. Old Westbury Gardens also opens up for mansion and garden tours.
10) Hike “Merrick Mountain” – Once a landfill, this landmark represents the commitment to environmental preservation in Long Island, saving the taxpayers more than $42 million. This 52-acre facility is perfect for picnicking, fishing, and wildlife. Take a tour by foot or rent a kayak. You may even see a Nigerian dwarf goat, maintaining the weed overgrowth.
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customers served (and counting)We welcome you to visit our Long Island LifeWorx location for an in-person consultation. Success for us is finding the perfect local match for your family while maintaining clear and consistent communication.
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