Keeping your loved one at home

Home care for a relative with Alzheimer's is often highly valued. To make it possible — and support your own health and well-being — you might consider various home care resources. For example:

• Home health services. Home health services help with personal care, such as eating, bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting. Some agencies help with meal preparation and household chores.

  Basic nursing care — such as help with medications, wound care and medical equipment — is typically available. Some agencies provide additional services, such as physical therapy.

• Respite and companion care services. Companion care is ideal for giving you the peace of mind to spend a few hours away. It also gives people with Alzheimer's an opportunity for socialization. Meaningful relationships can develop between people with dementia and their companions.

  You might call on family, friends or neighbors to stay with your relative when you need a break. If you'd prefer a more formal arrangement, consider respite care services provided by community organizations.

• Adult day centers. Adult day care centers offer socialization, limited health services, mind and body exercises, music, support groups, and other activities in a safe, supervised environment. Participants leave home and attend daily or a few hours a week. Transportation and meals are sometimes provided. Some adult day centers are designed for people living with Alzheimer's disease.
• Geriatric care managers. This type of manager can evaluate your loved one's needs and coordinate resources. In some cases, geriatric care managers can take over nearly all aspects of care. Some local government agencies and charities offer geriatric care consulting services free or on a sliding-fee scale.