{"id":228,"date":"2020-06-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/synergyhomecare.com\/ca-anaheim-hills-92808\/2020\/06\/30\/5-covid-19-tips-for-dementia-caregivers-anaheim-hills\/"},"modified":"2020-06-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-06-30T00:00:00","slug":"5-covid-19-tips-for-dementia-caregivers-anaheim-hills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/synergyhomecare.com\/ca-anaheim-hills-92808\/knowledge-center\/5-covid-19-tips-for-dementia-caregivers-anaheim-hills\/","title":{"rendered":"5 COVID-19 Tips for Dementia Caregivers- ANAHEIM HILLS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cMost likely, dementia does not increase risk for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus, just like dementia does not increase risk for flu,\u201d according to the Alzheimer\u2019s Association<\/a>. \u201cHowever, dementia-related behaviors, increased age, and common health conditions that often accompany dementia may increase risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Does your senior parent live with Alzheimer\u2019s or another form of dementia? COVID-19 creates unique challenges for families impacted by dementia. If your aging parent lives with an Alzheimer\u2019s or dementia diagnosis, consider the following tips provided by the Alzheimer\u2019s Association<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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  1. For people living with dementia, increased confusion is often the first symptom of any illness. If your aging parent living with dementia shows rapidly increased confusion, contact their health care provider for advice. Unless your parent is having difficulty breathing or a very high fever, it is recommended that you call their health care provider instead of going directly to an emergency room. Your aging parent\u2019s doctor may be able to treat them without a visit to the hospital.\u00a0<\/li>\n
  2. Your parent living with dementia may need extra and\/or written reminders and support to remember important hygienic practices from one day to the next. Reminders and support can be provided by: 1) placing signs in the bathroom and elsewhere to remind them to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and 2) demonstrating thorough hand washing.\u00a0Alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be a quick alternative to hand washing if your senior parent cannot get to a sink or wash their hands easily.<\/li>\n
  3. Ask your aging parent\u2019s pharmacist or doctor about filling prescriptions for a greater number of days to reduce trips to the pharmacy.\u00a0<\/li>\n
  4. Think ahead and make alternative plans for your senior parent should adult day care or respite care services be modified or cancelled in response to COVID-19.<\/li>\n
  5. Think ahead and make alternative plans for care management if you should become sick.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    We at SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona, Riverside, and Anaheim Hills know that being a family caregiver is an incredibly stressful and demanding role. COVID-19 adds an even more challenging layer to Alzheimer\u2019s and dementia care. Because Alzheimer\u2019s disease affects the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language, it\u2019s extremely difficult for a person with Alzheimer\u2019s disease to manage their health and wellness, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alzheimer\u2019s disease is a devastating illness that severely impacts the life of your senior parent. Their ability to function decreases significantly, and their health can deteriorate drastically without proper care.<\/p>\n

    Are you able to care for your senior parent living with dementia? Are you able to ensure that your senior parent exercises COVID-19 precautions such as frequent hand washing and cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and objects? If you\u2019re finding that the demands of caring for your senior parent are affecting your life and the quality of care for your senior parent, call SYNERGY Homecare of Corona, Riverside, or Anaheim Hills. SYNERGY\u2019s in-home caregivers are highly skilled and trained to care for your loved one living with dementia in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our in-home caregivers help to:<\/p>\n