Dementia Care Ottawa

The short answer is no. The longer explanation is below.

• Dementia describes a set of symptoms of mental degradation such as loss of memory, loss of reasoning power, and confusion, and these symptoms are serious enough to affect a person’s ability to live independently. Dementia can have a variety of causes, such as Parkinson’s Disease or vascular dementia.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the name of a disease that affects the brain and is the reason behind the vast majority (2/3 or more) of dementia cases. That’s why we often hear these two terms—Alzheimer’s disease and dementia—mentioned at the same time.

A major difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is progression.

• Dementia may or may not progress or worsen, depending on the cause. For example, a stroke may cause vascular dementia, but the dementia should not worsen unless the patient has another stroke or condition that affects the brain.
• Alzheimer’s disease will progress and worsen with time.

• If you are wondering if your loved one has dementia, consult your doctor.
• Your doctor can run a series of tests to assess their mental functions and determine the cause of symptoms.

Forgetfulness can be a symptom of many conditions. If you are seeing cognitive symptoms, it’s best to schedule professional testing in a safe, supportive and integrity-focused environment to determine what’s really going on. Also, consider their medical history; past events such as strokes, Parkinson’s Disease, and other illnesses can contribute to the onset of dementia in particular. Once you have a diagnosis, you will know the best treatment plan. Early intervention is possible to delay symptoms in many cases. Depending on the cause of the dementia, there are various treatment options available.

We completely understand if you feel more comfortable looking after a loved one with dementia on your own. However, doing so is much more challenging and risk-prone than looking after someone without the illness. For your own safety and that of the affected individual, without proper certification and experience there is no way to be prepared for every complication that could arise. It’s less stressful and more proactive for everyone to work with certified caregivers with ample experience and the skills necessary to keep your loved one safe. Plus, you can support in your own special way by providing moral support and helping maintain social stimulation. By working together as a team, we can provide even better care.

In-home caregiving for individuals living with dementia is focused on comfort, peace of mind, integrity and safety. Rather than receive basic nursing and personal support services in a healthcare setting, our caregivers come to you instead, ensuring the patient can enjoy the comfort of being at home as well as their independence. This results in less stress, more openness to support and care, and optimal quality of life. From wound care to housekeeping, bed transfers to meal prep or even a buddy for checkers, we've got you covered.

Reach out to us right away at Choice Homecare Ottawa. A nurse with experience in Dementia-Alzheimer’s Disease can provide a free assessment to help determine the seriousness of your loved one’s condition, customize a care plan, and map out a strategy with the family. Then we select compatible and skilled caregivers to ensure the fastest yet most proactive possible path forward to care for your loved one. Whenever you need us, we’ll be here for you—you’re not alone.

For both patients and their families, having an actual professional with years of practical caregiving experience means we have more active control over unexpected emergencies. We work to clear hazards, maintain sanitary and safe living environments, and monitor the patient condition to identify any risks. Therefore, families and the loved ones we work with directly benefit from lower stress and anxiety levels, increased calmness and peace of mind, and full confidence that we know what we’re doing. We keep everyone involved regularly updated with the latest developments.