Quality Dementia Care in Naperville, IL

Caring for a loved one with dementia requires patience, flexibility, and most importantly, love. As this unforgiving disease progresses into advanced stages, you might find yourself in need of extra assistance and support. Home & Hearth Caregivers is dedicated to providing professional, compassionate, and specialized support to you and your family members as you continue to care for your loved one suffering from this challenging disease.

What is Dementia?

Unlike Parkinson’s or MS, Dementia is not one specific disease. It is a term that encompasses a wide range of medical conditions that involve the loss of memory, problem-solving skills, language, and other cognitive abilities that impair an individual’s daily life and the capacity to function independently.

Dementia cannot be diagnosed by a single test. Doctors can determine with a high level of certainty whether an individual has dementia by examining their detailed medical history, laboratory tests, physical examinations, as well as noted changes in their day-to-day function. Although a doctor may not be able to diagnose the specific form of dementia an individual is suffering from, a referral can be made to a specialist, such as a neurologist or geriatrician, to assist in confirming an exact diagnosis.

What Causes Dementia?

Dementia is caused by damage to the brain cells, interfering with the cells’ ability to communicate with each other. When the brain cells cannot properly communicate, it can negatively affect an individual’s cognitive abilities such as memory and problem solving.

Other possible causes of dementia include head trauma, Huntington’s disease, Parkingson’s disease, and infections such as HIV. Most changes in the brain that cause dementia are irreversible and worsen over time, however, some memory and thinking issues caused by conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, depression, and sleep disorders, may improve when that condition is treated.

Common Types of Dementia

Dementia is used as an umbrella term for the decline in cognitive abilities severe enough to hinder the daily life of an individual. There are several different types of dementia including:

• Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common dementia in the United States and the number of cases appear to be growing exponentially each year. According to Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, an annual report released by the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 6.5 million Americans age 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s in 2022, and by 2050, 12.7 million people age 65 and older are projected to have Alzheimer’s dementia.

• Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia and occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients due to microscopic bleeding and blood vessel blockage in the brain. Failure of the large blood vessels may result in strokes, causing neurological symptoms. Difficulties with walking, language, and urination, in addition to memory issues, are often found in vascular dementia.

• Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies has the characteristics of both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Cognitive issues develop before, or soon after, the muscle symptoms. Individuals suffering from Lewy body dementia experience more emotional and cognitive highs and lows, elevated visual hallucinations, increased falls, as well as more problems with sleep than an individual with Alzheimer’s.

• Frontotemporal Lobar Dementia

Frontotemporal lobar dementia is less common than other varieties, but still important to distinguish. This type of dementia can be difficult to diagnose and is often mistaken for depression, a substance abuse issue, mania, or a personality disorder due to changes in behavior. Treatment for frontotemporal lobar dementia is different from the treatment of more common dementias, such as Alzheimer’s disease, which is another reason it is crucial to distinguish this variety from different types of dementia.

• Mixed Dementia

Individuals who experience brain changes from multiple types of dementia at the same time suffer from mixed dementia. Mixed dementia is more common in individuals over 75 years of age. The most common form of mixed dementia consists of the blood vessel issues associated with vascular dementia combined with the abnormal protein deposits linked to Alzheimer’s disease. It is possible for an individual to experience brain changes from Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Signs and Symptoms of Dementia

The signs of dementia can vary from barely noticeable to very obvious. Some of the symptoms may include having difficulty:

• With short-term memory;
• Paying bills;
• Remembering appointments;
• Planning and preparing meals;
• Traveling out of the neighborhood;
• Keeping track of a wallet or purse.

Early diagnosis can greatly benefit an individual who shows potential signs of dementia. It is important to schedule an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible to determine a diagnosis and start a treatment plan.

How We Can Help – Memory Care in Naperville

Whether your loved one requires minimal assistance or needs more specialized support, Home & Hearth Caregivers offers a variety of dementia care services to help you and your family handle the daily challenges involved with this disease. Our professional Naperville dementia caregivers provide the following services:

• Personal Care Services such as:
• • Bathing, Grooming, Dressing, and Bathroom/Incontinence Assistance
  • Meal Planning, Preparation, and Clean Up
  • Light Housekeeping

• Transportation
• Memory Care Exercises
• Medication Reminders
• Maintaining a Care Schedule
• Home Safety Modifications
• As well as other services as needed

Compassionate Naperville Dementia Caregivers

Coping with the daily struggles associated with caring for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming. That’s why Home & Hearth Caregivers provide the highest level of care for seniors struggling with this disease as well as offering a strong support system for their families. We are a proud member of the Home Care Association of America and honored to be a sponsor of the Alzheimer’s Association and its education and research.

If you notice your loved one having difficulty with memory, problem solving, or any other cognitive issues, please schedule a free in-home assessment with one of our Care Plan Managers, or call 1-800-349-0663 to learn how Home & Hearth Caregivers can provide quality home care services as well as social interaction for your loved one in Naperville, Illinois.