World Alzheimer’s Month: How a Visiting Nurse Can Help

September is World Alzheimer’s Month – a time to raise awareness for dementia and the stigma that surrounds it. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, and the early stages can be mild. Some people progress quickly, while others do not. On average, a person with Alzheimer’s lives 4 to 8 years after their diagnosis but can live as long as 20 years or more. 

Because Alzheimer’s can be a slow, progressive disease, patients often require care for many years. If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, it’s important to know what care options are available to you. 

Visiting Nurse Services for Patients with Alzehimer’s 

Some families believe the only option for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is assisted living in NJ. While these can be good choices, not all families are ready to move their loved one away from home. In fact, this move can be stressful and trigger confusion, agitation and anxiety. An alternative option is to hire a visiting nurse and keep your loved one in their home. 

Here are some ways that a visiting nurse can help your family member: 

• Age in place. If your loved one wants to age in place, a visiting nurse can keep them in their home for longer. They can remain at home where they are happy and comfortable while receiving personal care services and skilled nursing care. 

• Individualized attention. There is no substitute to senior home care in NJ. Your loved one is the only patient, so they receive 1:1 attention. Everything is personalized to their symptoms, personality and routine and can be adjusted as needed. 

• Memory care. The visiting nurses from VNA Health Group are specially trained in Alzheimer’s and dementia care. They understand the unique care and support these individuals require in terms of communication, wandering, personal grooming, etc. 

• Companionship. Rather than having multiple nurses on a rotating schedule, your loved one will see the same visiting nurse. This allows them to build a relationship with their companion. Many of our nurses become close friends with the families they serve! 

• Respite care. Caring for a person with dementia is challenging, but you are not alone. A visiting nurse can make sure your loved one gets their medication, is treated for illnesses, dresses/bathes each day and more. This way, when you spend time with your loved one, you can enjoy your time together. 

VNA Health Group offers visiting nurse and physician services as part of our in-home care program. We are certified by Medicare and Medicaid, accredited by CHAP and licensed by the state of New Jersey. If you are interested in using our visiting nurse service of New Jersey to help a family member with dementia, contact us today.