What Are the Most Helpful Local Alzheimer’s Services in Charlottesville, VA?
Written by:
Jeffrey Grossman
Published:
August 2nd, 2021
If you’re a caregiver for a parent or family member with Alzheimer’s, then you need to know about the Alzheimer’s care in Charlottesville, VA that’s available to you.
Taking care of a loved one with dementia or another memory loss disease isn’t always an easy task, especially if you aren’t prepared. Fortunately, there are some great local Alzheimer’s services for those living in Charlottesville and the surrounding areas.Are you interested in learning more about memory care in Charlottesville, VA for your aging loved one?In this article, you’ll get information on Charlottesville support resources and services to help you provide quality care for your loved one. We’ll also share about options for professional in-home Alzheimer’s caregivers who can provide the high levels of support and care your loved one needs.Keep reading to learn more about Alzheimer’s resources and services near you.
Alzheimer’s Care in Charlottesville, VA
Whether you’re caring for aging parents with Alzheimer’s or have a spouse who is struggling with dementia, you can find an abundance of memory care resources in Charlottesville, VA.Some people want to provide care for their loved ones in the early stages and then transition to professional care as Alzheimer’s progresses. Others may not have the desire or ability to provide hands-on care for their loved ones at any point, so hiring an in-home caregiver is the best option for them.Regardless of which route you choose, it’s best to know your options. Two of the best ways to care for your loved one are through these local Alzheimer’s resources:
Professional in-home Alzheimer’s care
Here’s a look at these two Charlottesville support services in more detail.
The Alzheimer’s Association in Charlottesville
The Alzheimer’s Association in America exists to:
Educate and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease
Support those dealing with Alzheimer’s by providing resources and services
Procure resources and finances to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s
They also have local chapters all across the U.S. that provide local Alzheimer’s resources and support services to individuals and families. For those in Charlottesville, the nearest Alzheimer’s Association office is located at 355 Rio Rd W STE 102, Charlottesville, VA 22901. This local chapter serves central and western Virginia and offers a great deal of online and in-person resources.Below are some of the most beneficial services available through the Charlottesville Alzheimer’s Association.
Support Groups
The Alzheimer’s Association offers in-person and online support groups for friends and family of people with Alzheimer’s who want to connect with others going through a similar situation. These groups are hosted by trained facilitators and supported by the Alzheimer’s Association.Support groups offer a place for people to share:
Valuable information
Caregiving tips
Areas of concern
As part of a support group, you’ll listen to others’ experiences and share your own. Some support groups may even provide educational or training opportunities to their members to equip them to be better caregivers.To find an in-person support group near Charlottesville, you can use the online search tool. If you want to be part of a virtual group, you can connect through ALZConnected.
Educational Programs
Second, there are also educational programs you can take part in through the Alzheimer’s Association. Educational programs go over topics like:
Making lifestyle choices that promote a healthy brain and body
How to effectively communicate with individuals with dementia
Understanding the behaviors of those with dementia
The Alzheimer Association offers many of these classes online and in-person to suit your availability and needs. There are also many free online classes that you can access through the Alzheimer’s Association online library. These are classes that you can do at your own pace and on your own time that offer valuable information and training to family caregivers.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Lastly, most local Alzheimer’s chapters do an annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s event. This event provides an opportunity to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also a way to raise funds to help promote further Alzheimer’s research.The Walk to End Alzheimer’s event is a great way to mobilize family, friends, or your local community behind a good cause.If you want to participate, you can sign up as an individual or gather friends and family to sign up as a team. And if you don’t know how to raise funds, the Alzheimer’s Association will provide you with resources.The Charlottesville Walk to End Alzheimer’s event will take place on November 6th, 2021 at 10 am. You can sign up using the online Walk to End Alzheimer’s registration form.All of these Alzheimer’s resources are beneficial for those looking to care for their loved ones on their own. But what if you can’t personally care for your loved one?
Professional Memory Care in Charlottesville, VA
There are professional in-home caregivers for those who are unable to provide the hands-on care their loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia need. These caregivers come to your loved one’s home and assist them with daily life tasks. They’re also often specially trained to handle dementia-related needs.The three most beneficial ways home care companies can provide Alzheimer’s care in Charlottesville, VA include:
Respite care
24-hour care
In-home physical therapy
Below is more information about each of these Alzheimer’s services.
Respite Care
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be challenging and tiring. Sometimes, family caregivers simply need some personal downtime to rest and recuperate. Respite caregivers provide family carers with a break from the daily stresses of caregiving. Family caregivers can hire respite caregivers for 4+ hours a day, for as many days as they need. Respite caregivers can help individuals with dementia with:
Bathing, grooming, and dressing
Meal prep and feeding
Transportation services
Toileting and ambulations
While the respite caregiver looks after your loved one, you’ll have time to rest and care for yourself. This extra time to relax can help you be more present, alert, and provide better quality care to your loved one.
24-hour Care
If your loved one has late-stage Alzheimer’s, they may need care during both the nighttime and daytime hours. But providing 24-hour care as a family caregiver can lead to incredible burnout.Most home care companies offer 24-hour Alzheimer’s care services to individuals who need around-the-clock care.24-hour caregivers work in two 12-hour or three 8-hour shifts to provide care to your loved one during the night and day. They stay awake during their entire shift, ensuring that your loved one always has someone ready to assist them and tend to their needs.
In-home Physical Therapy
Though Alzheimer’s mainly affects memory, it can also hinder someone’s ability to walk or move around. In-home physical therapists (PT) help encourage regular exercise and keep individuals with dementia active. These at-home PTs create a personalized care plan for each individual and lead them in appropriate activities. In addition, they make sure that their patients perform exercises correctly and consistently.Regular physical activity is valuable at all stages of Alzheimer’s. It helps to keep the muscles loose and slows down brain degeneration by exercising the neural pathways associated with movement. An in-home physical therapist is an excellent way to establish and maintain healthy movement patterns.
Charlottesville Support Services for Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is a memory loss disease that progressively worsens over time. As a result, adult children or other family caregivers may find themselves unable or unprepared for the role of caregiver as the disease progresses in severity. Fortunately, there are many Alzheimer’s care services in Charlottesville, VA that can help lighten the load for those looking after a loved one with dementia.The Alzheimer’s Association has plenty of online resources, and there are local Alzheimer’s chapters around the nation. The Alzheimer’s Association in Charlottesville can aid family caregivers by providing:
Support groups
Educational and training resources
Opportunities to increase awareness and raise funds for Alzheimer’s research
You can access these local Alzheimer’s services by contacting your nearest Alzheimer’s Association office. Family caregivers can also contact a local home care company to find professional in-home caregivers. These companies can support family caregivers and provide quality care to individuals with dementia through the following:
Short-term respite care
Long-term 24-hour care
In-home physical therapy services
Commonwise Home Care in Charlottesville, VA has been providing exceptional home care services to families and their aging loved ones for years. We specially train our in-home caregivers to handle the needs of Alzheimer’s patients. They can provide respite care, 24-hour care, or anything in between. And, our in-home physical therapists know how to assess your loved one’s needs and provide the perfect care plan for them. Contact our Charlottesville office to learn more about in-home care and how it can benefit your loved one today.