In-home dementia care provides personalized, nonclinical assistance for people experiencing memory loss, confusion or other cognitive changes. Care takes place in the familiar surroundings of home and may include companionship, personal-care assistance, meal preparation, medication reminders, safety-focused supervision and respite for family caregivers.
Horizon Care Services creates individualized care arrangements based on the person’s routines, abilities, preferences, home environment and support needs. Our goal is to promote comfort, dignity and meaningful daily experiences while helping families manage the practical demands of dementia caregiving.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe changes in memory, thinking, reasoning, communication and behavior that interfere with everyday life. It is not considered a normal part of aging.
Dementia can have several causes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most commonly diagnosed form of dementia in older adults. Other forms include:
Certain medical conditions, medication effects, infections, thyroid disorders and vitamin deficiencies can sometimes produce symptoms that resemble dementia. A qualified healthcare professional should evaluate new or worsening cognitive changes to determine their cause.
Learn more from the National Institute on Aging’s dementia overview.
Symptoms vary depending on the individual and the underlying condition. Possible signs may include:
Memory concerns should be discussed with a physician or another qualified healthcare professional. Sudden confusion or an abrupt change in behavior can have a medical cause and should be reported promptly.
Horizon Care Services does not diagnose dementia or determine its cause.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. It gradually affects memory, thinking, communication, judgment and the ability to perform everyday activities.
Symptoms are often mild during the early stages and become more significant over time. The progression and experience of Alzheimer’s disease differ from person to person.
Although there is currently no cure, healthcare professionals can evaluate symptoms, discuss treatment options and help families plan for changing care needs. Learn more from the National Institute on Aging’s Alzheimer’s disease information.
In-home dementia care is private-duty assistance provided in the person’s home. It is designed to support everyday routines, personal needs, comfort and family caregivers.
This service is different from Medicare-certified home health care. Horizon’s caregivers provide the nonclinical services included in the client’s care plan and perform only those responsibilities permitted by their credentials and scope of practice.
Depending on the client’s needs, care may be arranged for several hours, overnight assistance, live-in care or 24-hour support. Scheduling is subject to the assessment, care plan, current policies and caregiver availability.
Consistent companionship can provide familiarity and reassurance. A caregiver may spend time talking with the client, listening to music, looking through photographs, taking a supervised walk or participating in another familiar activity.
Caregivers use patient, respectful communication and can acknowledge the person’s feelings without arguing or repeatedly correcting them.
Dementia can make everyday personal-care activities confusing or overwhelming. Depending on the care plan, assistance may include:
Caregivers can use calm explanations, simple choices and step-by-step cueing to make personal-care routines less stressful.
Changes in memory, appetite, coordination or attention may make meals more difficult.
Caregiver assistance may include:
Difficulty chewing or swallowing should be reported to a healthcare professional. Caregivers do not diagnose swallowing disorders or create medical diets.
A caregiver may provide medication reminders according to an established schedule and written instructions.
Caregivers do not prescribe medications, change dosages, decide when medication should be withheld or independently manage a medication regimen. Medication administration is performed only by appropriately licensed professionals when authorized and included in the plan of care.
Consistent routines can make daily life more predictable. A caregiver may provide reminders and simple guidance for:
Care plans can incorporate familiar preferences, habits and routines supplied by the client and authorized family members.
Caregivers may encourage activities selected according to the person’s interests, abilities and comfort level. Examples include:
These are engagement activities, not Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, music therapy, art therapy or another clinical treatment. Therapy must be provided by an appropriately qualified professional.
No activity can be guaranteed to strengthen memory, slow cognitive decline or treat dementia.
Depending on the care plan, caregivers may assist with:
These services can help keep commonly used areas comfortable and reduce unnecessary household clutter.
A caregiver may assist with walking, transfers and repositioning when those services are included in the care plan.
Transfer belts, patient lifts and other equipment must be used only by care professionals who have the appropriate training and authorization for the assigned task.
Supporting someone with dementia can be physically and emotionally demanding. Respite care allows family caregivers to rest, work, attend appointments or spend time on other responsibilities.
Respite arrangements may include:
Respite care does not replace the family’s involvement. It provides dependable assistance so family caregivers do not have to manage every responsibility alone.
Dementia can increase the risk of wandering, getting lost, falls and unsafe use of household items.
During scheduled care hours, a caregiver may provide safety-focused supervision, maintain familiar routines and redirect the client from an unsafe activity. Caregivers may also observe and report concerns to the client’s authorized family members or healthcare professionals.
Families may also consider measures such as:
Equipment installation and major home modifications should be handled by qualified professionals. No care plan, caregiver or monitoring device can guarantee that wandering, falls or emergencies will be prevented.
Families can review additional Alzheimer’s home-safety guidance from the National Institute on Aging.
Some people with dementia experience increased confusion, restlessness or agitation later in the day. This is commonly called sundowning.
Caregiver support may include:
Caregivers do not clinically manage or treat sundowning, aggression or other behavioral symptoms. New, sudden or worsening behavior changes should be reported to a qualified healthcare professional because pain, infection, medication effects or other medical concerns may be involved.
Care needs may change as dementia progresses. Horizon Care Services can review the care arrangement with the client’s authorized family members and adjust nonclinical support when appropriate.
Later-stage assistance may include:
Clinical nursing, therapy, palliative care and hospice services must be delivered or arranged by the appropriately licensed provider.
Every person living with dementia has a different history, personality, routine and set of abilities. Horizon Care Services begins by learning about the individual—not only the diagnosis.
The care-planning process may consider:
Care plans can be reviewed as circumstances change. Medical treatment decisions remain the responsibility of qualified healthcare professionals.
The cost of dementia care depends on the requested schedule, level of assistance, care plan and caregiver availability.
Payment options may include:
Original Medicare generally does not cover ongoing private-duty or custodial care when help with activities of daily living is the only service needed. Medicare may cover certain short-term or intermittent home health services for eligible individuals when provided through a Medicare-certified home health agency.
Horizon Care Services is not advertising this private-duty dementia program as a Medicare-covered service. Families should verify benefits directly with Medicare, their insurance carrier or their plan administrator. Review Medicare’s long-term care coverage information.
Horizon Care Services assists families in communities including North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Stuart, Hobe Sound and Port St. Lucie.
Service availability depends on the client’s location, assessment, care plan, requested schedule and caregiver availability.
If someone you love is experiencing memory changes or needs additional assistance at home, Horizon Care Services can help you explore a personalized private-duty care arrangement.
Call 561-776-7757 (toll-free 877-227-3890) or contact Horizon Care Services to discuss in-home dementia care for your family.
This page is for general informational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult a physician or another qualified healthcare professional regarding symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and changes in condition.
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