Recently, a study looked at the efficacy of different interventions for Alzheimer’s disease that didn’t involve medications. The researchers found that many of these interventions were both helpful for improving the quality of life that someone was experiencing, and not as expensive as an approach that used medications.
Do you have a loved one that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease? If so, you might already be using some of these concepts. Or maybe, you’re in the middle of learning how to adjust to this diagnosis. Regardless of where you are in the process, having a loved one who is suffering with this diagnosis is not easy.
I’ve said it in other places on this blog, but it’s important to note it here, too. There are resources out there that can help you. Hopefully, this blog post can be of help, too.
The study looked at four main methods of helping those with Alzheimer’s. This included maximizing independence at home, implementing needs assessments for those with dementia, along with their family caregivers, adult daycare services, and a specialized outpatient clinic designed to provide family caregivers with support and training to enhance the lives of those that they are helping.
All four of these interventions were designed to provide family supports, training, and knowledge. By doing this, the hope is that those suffering from dementia and their families have a higher quality of life.
This research was conducted by Brown University. They used a computer simulation model to figure out costs and helpfulness of different dementia care concepts. On average, these interventions saved between $2,800 and $13,000. They published their results in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
However, it is important to note that all of these things should be run through a doctor before you implement them. I’m not a doctor and I can’t give you any sort of medical advice. Rather, I’m pointing out what others have done to help keep their older loved ones suffering from dementia safe and healthy. Working with a medical professional that specializes in Alzheimer’s care is always going to be your best choice.
There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s disease at this time. Research like this is important for several reasons, though. It helps us to understand the disease a little bit better. This gets us closer to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. Additionally, research like this helps us to create a higher quality of life for those that are in the midst of struggling with the disease. It might be a small step, but it’s still a step in the right direction–and this is very encouraging.
If you’re interested in learning how we can help here at Paradise In-Home Care, please feel free to reach out. One of our trained care professionals would be happy to talk more with you. We offer a free consultation service designed to help answer your questions, identify helpful resources, and get you connected to them. Give us a call to start the conversation and begin the process of helping your loved one get the help that they deserve for their diagnosis.
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