Posts By: Tim

While it’s normal to become more forgetful with age, Alzheimer’s disease affects more than just memory. It is a type of dementia that causes a decline in thinking, reasoning and other cognitive skills. Alzheimer’s disease impacts not only the person with the disease but their friends and family as well. It can be heartbreaking to note changes in your family member’s communication, memory and behavior, and many of the symptoms can make it challenging for people with Alzheimer’s to live independently.

While the signs might not be as evident in its first stages, there are some early symptoms you can watch for if you’re concerned about a family member with Alzheimer’s disease. In our guide, we’ll discuss warning signs, treatment options, and ways to get involved in Alzheimer’s awareness to support those you care about. 

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

A progressive neurological disorder, Alzheimer’s disease causes memory impairment, cognitive decline, and eventually, the inability to perform daily tasks. It’s the most common type of dementia in older adults and the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. The number of people with Alzheimer’s doubles every five years beyond age 65, with early-onset Alzheimer’s very rarely occurring in people in their 30s to mid-60s.  

As the disease progresses, symptoms can worsen and start to impact work, hobbies and a person’s social life. You might notice the individual’s personality change in certain ways, such as becoming more agitated, apathetic, depressed or anxious. In the final stages, people living with Alzheimer’s disease typically need extensive care.  

Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia

People often confuse Alzheimer’s and dementia. However, dementia is an umbrella term for symptoms affecting memory and cognition, while Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia — accounting for 60% to 70% of cases. Other types of dementia exist, each with its own separate causes and symptoms, including Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and vascular dementia. 

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease 

Alzheimer’s symptoms progress over time and can present as the following:

• Mild or early stage: It can be challenging to spot Alzheimer’s symptoms in the beginning stages, as they can appear as harmless memory issues, especially of recent conversations and events. Your family member might also have trouble finding the right word, understanding visual images and spatial relationships and have impaired reasoning or judgment. 
• Moderate or middle stage: At this stage, individuals may be unable to cover their symptoms. They may have trouble retrieving a name or word or remembering plans. They may also run into more challenges in social settings or at work. Behaviors at this stage can include wandering, unfounded suspicions and repeated questioning.
• Severe or late stage: The late stages of Alzheimer’s can cause worsened symptoms like disorientation, confusion or even delusions. People can also experience difficulty communicating with words and lose the ability to walk, sit and eat. They may also lose bowel and bladder control and be unaware of recent experiences and their surroundings. 

Treatment and Care Options

While there’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, some treatments may slow its progression, and certain medications can help treat symptoms. Additionally, in-home Alzheimer’s care services can assist your family member with daily living activities like eating, hygiene and medication management.

The following treatment options can help you and the individual living with the disease cope with symptoms and improve quality of life:

Medication

As of September 2023, 141 treatments were being tested in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease, with 78% of them designed to slow the disease’s progression. These include immunotherapy drugs, monoclonal antibodies, aggregation inhibitors and tau vaccines. Other treatments being studied include Vitamin E, Omega-3 fatty acids, Curcumin, Ginkgo and Melatonin. 

Skilled Memory Care

Many families find it tough to meet the complex care needs of people living with Alzheimer’s disease. With in-home skilled memory care, your family member can age gracefully in a familiar and comfortable environment. Transferring to a facility can lead to confusion and distress for those living with Alzheimer’s or chronic memory loss issues, but the qualified caregivers at Corewood Care are specially trained to care for older adults with Alzheimer’s and provide services in the comfort of their own homes. 

Assistance With Daily Living (ADLs)

With personal care services at Corewood Care, we can address all aspects of an individual’s health and well-being, assisting in preparing meals, getting dressed, bathing, grooming and continence care. We also offer Care Management services for older adults in Bethesda, Maryland, to help your family member manage their medications and assist in long-term planning and crisis prevention.

Companion Care 

If your family member would prefer to age at home but struggles with loneliness or other challenges related to living on their own, they may enjoy the company of a companion caregiver. At Corewood Care, we provide companion care services for older adults, offering emotional and wellness support, memory care, transportation to appointments, socialization and entertainment and even light housekeeping and help with other household tasks.

The Impact of Alzheimer’s

Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s today. By 2050, this number is expected to increase to nearly 13 million. Additionally, over 55 million people worldwide are living with some form of dementia, with 10 million new cases each year. 

The disease can significantly impact the emotional, physical, and financial health of individuals and their families. Caring for an individual with Alzheimer’s can limit a caregiver’s ability to take care of themselves. Families of those with Alzheimer’s are also at greater risk for anxiety, depression and poor quality of life than caregivers of people with other conditions.

Genetic Components of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is not usually caused by a single genetic component passed down through families, but rather by a combination of genes, lifestyle and environmental factors. However, people who have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s are at higher risk of developing it themselves, especially if their relative developed the disease at a younger age. Three genes linked to early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease include Presenilin 1 (PS1), Presenilin 2 (PS2) and Amyloid precursor protein (APP). 

Raising Awareness and Getting Involved

Raising awareness of and getting involved in the cause can ultimately improve the quality of life for those previously undiagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in Bethesda, Maryland, and around the country, and you’ll find several opportunities to join the cause in combatting this disease.

For example, you might join a “memory walk” to raise awareness about the disease and money for research. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event, but you might also look into local Alzheimer’s events near Bethesda or organizations in need of caregiver volunteers.

During November and throughout the year, being aware of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and joining the cause can make a huge impact on your family and community. 

Corewood Care’s Commitment

Corewood Care in Bethesda remains committed to Alzheimer’s disease awareness and research. Our partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association aims to enhance support and resources for those affected. We are also dedicated to providing high-quality care for those with Alzheimer’s and their families, with ongoing efforts to improve care standards and foster community engagement. We encourage you to take action and support those impacted by this condition by looking into Alzheimer’s awareness information in Bethesda or the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Maryland chapter. 

Find Compassionate Alzheimer’s Care Options in Bethesda, Maryland

The importance of understanding, treating and raising awareness for Alzheimer’s disease cannot be overstated. Corewood Care’s care managers and caregivers specialize in Alzheimer’s care, offering skilled memory care, personal care services and other treatment options for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. With our 24/7 services, your family member can receive high-quality care anytime, anywhere. We do all this and more as we navigate this time together. 

Schedule a free assessment today to learn more about what we do and why we’re passionate about our work.

Corewood Care provides home care and care management services in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. Our goal is to allow older adults with dementia to age in place. We achieve this by improving health management, enabling our clients to thrive and live gracefully. 

Our compassionate team of professionals provides older adults with round-the-clock 24/7 support as needed, using a care model that sets us apart. This guide will help determine when an Alzheimer’s client needs full-time care. 

Types of Dementia Care Available

At Corewood Care, we create custom plans tailored to the individual’s needs and goals, ensuring a higher quality of care. The types of care plans we offer can include one or a combination of the following services:

• Alzheimer’s care: Our memory care includes medication management — such as medication and appointment reminders — crisis prevention and long-term care planning. 
• Respite care: This service offers short-term relief to allow family members a moment to step away without feeling guilty. 
• Meal planning and preparation: Dementia clients often forget to eat, so our caregivers assist with meal planning and preparation. 
• Light housekeeping: We maintain clean and safe living spaces to promote hygiene. 
• Companion care: Regular social engagement can help maintain cognitive function, which helps our clients feel more connected to their surroundings. Having someone to talk to and play games with benefits emotional and mental health. 
• Home care services: Home care services assist with daily living, such as bathing, toileting, eating and dressing. 

When Should Dementia Clients Go Into Care?

If an individual or their relatives start noticing severe symptoms that could put their health and safety at risk, it’s generally time to go into care. Some severe symptoms are disorientation and wandering, which are difficult for family members to manage. Bladder and bowel incontinence become more frequent, so individuals are more likely to have accidents. 

Also, if a person with dementia is having trouble with daily living tasks, including bathing or eating, this is another telltale sign that it’s time to go into care. 

At What Point Do Dementia Clients Need 24-Hour Care?

Dementia clients require full-time care at stage three of Alzheimer’s disease or in mid-to-late stage dementia, as they shouldn’t be alone. A person in stage one of Alzheimer’s disease can be alone for a short amount of time, as they can still maintain a small amount of independence. 

Can a Dementia Client Refuse Care?

A dementia client can refuse care in multiple ways, such as:

• Ignoring their caregiver
• Verbally refusing
• Becoming upset

Schedule a Free Assessment Today 

Each client and caregiver is unique, and our mission is to tailor our services to meet individual goals and needs. While dementia is not reversible, it is manageable with our specially trained dementia caregivers. Our team consists of registered nurses, social workers, therapists, dementia specialists and nutritionists who work together to provide a holistic approach to care. 

Fill in the required information and schedule a free in-home assessment today.

Many people want to stay independent as they age, which may require some assistance with daily living. There are many types of care services that older adults can receive at home. This guide explores the diverse types of home care available, helping caregivers and families make informed decisions tailored to their unique situations.

Personal Care and Companion Care 

Personal and companion care services are types of home care that assist with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation and light housekeeping. Caregivers can also provide companionship and emotional support, which can be especially important for those who live alone.

Skilled Nursing

You may be wondering if skilled nursing is considered home care — absolutely. Skilled nursing services are a home care option in which registered nurses provide medical care, including wound care, medication management and other medical needs. This type of care is suitable for individuals with chronic conditions, who are in post-surgery recovery or who have other medical needs that require professional nursing care at home.

Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy 

Therapy services are an older adult home care option that focuses on improving mobility, daily living skills and communication abilities. Physical therapy helps with movement and strength, occupational therapy assists with everyday activities and speech therapy addresses communication and swallowing issues. These services are often recommended for those recovering from surgery or injury and those with chronic conditions affecting their functional abilities.

Specific Need Care (Dementia/Alzheimer’s)

Dealing with conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s requires specialized care. Tailored care plans include memory care activities and adaptations to the living environment to ensure safety and comfort. This specialized attention helps manage the unique challenges posed by these conditions, offering peace of mind to families.

Live-In Care 

Live-in care offers continuous support with a caregiver living in the client’s home. This service ensures round-the-clock assistance with daily activities and personal care, making it an ideal older adult home care option for those who need constant supervision and help but prefer to remain in their home.

24-Hour Care 

Twenty-four-hour care offers a solution for those needing nonstop supervision and assistance. It is similar to live-in care, but caregivers may not live in the home. Instead, they may provide care in shifts. 

Contact Corewood Care Today for Tailored Home Care Options

Understanding the different types of home care older adults can receive allows families to make choices that best fit their needs. From personal and companion care to skilled nursing and specialized dementia care, each type supports older adults in various ways, whether they require minimal assistance or more comprehensive support. 

Corewood Care is dedicated to providing personalized care plans that combine multiple services to meet individual needs. This ensures each client receives the care they require to live gracefully at home. Contact us today to learn more about how Corewood Care can tailor home care options to different needs and ensure individuals receive the best possible support.

Caregivers and companions enable older adults to live comfortably in their homes while receiving the support they need to remain safe, healthy and happy. These roles have different benefits depending on an older adult’s physical and emotional needs.

What Does a Caregiver Do?

A caregiver, also called a personal care assistant, offers qualified personal care. They help older adults with physical needs such as bathing, toileting, dressing, positioning, walking and eating. They can also provide minor medical care.

What Does a Companion Do?

A companion caregiver helps older adults who need nonmedical assistance with aspects of daily living. Their primary purpose is to support mental health by providing socialization and companionship.

A few ways a companion caregiver may support an older adult include:

• Playing games or doing activities together
• Planning, preparing and cleaning up meals
• Performing light housekeeping
• Helping with laundry
• Running errands with or for an older adult
• Providing transportation

Companion Care vs. Caregiver Requirements

A main difference between companions and caregivers is the type of requirements associated with these careers. Because caregivers and companions offer different kinds of services and assistance, they have different training requirements to ensure they are prepared to provide the best support to their clients.

What Kind of Training Is Required for a Traditional Caregiver vs. a Companion Caregiver?

A traditional caregiver must complete extensive training to provide the physical assistance an older adult may need. They should be licensed and certified to handle physical and minor medical needs.

While companion care has no specific or formal training requirements, companions must be dedicated and compassionate individuals who are able to meet the mental and emotional needs of their clients. A good candidate for a companion is someone who is patient, kind, positive and respectful. They should be able to make their clients feel comfortable to help alleviate any feelings of loneliness and enhance overall well-being.

How Corewood Care Can Help

At Corewood Care, we understand that every individual has unique needs. That’s why we develop personalized care plans that suit each client’s situation. Our at-home care providers work closely with clients to ensure their safety and comfort as they live independently and age in place. 

We believe every individual deserves to receive respect and quality care, which is why we are selective and attentive in our hiring process. We hire only the best caregivers and companions to ensure the highest level of care for the older adult in your life. Our caregivers and companions come with various training backgrounds, enabling us to match the right care professional to your family. 

Schedule a Free Assessment Today

When an older adult in your life requires dedicated, compassionate care, you can trust Corewood Care to provide the services you need. Schedule a free assessment today to discover which type of care is right for your family. We are happy to provide more information about our companion care services and how we can support you in supporting the older adult in your life.

Many individuals struggle with chronic health conditions on a daily basis. While challenging, there are services available like chronic care management designed to help individuals better manage their conditions and overall health.

What Is Chronic Care Management?

Chronic care management (CCM) is a type of preventive measure for individuals who have chronic health conditions. It was originally started by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to benefit both patients and physicians. 

This billable Medicare service ensures individuals have access to care coordination services outside of regular office visits. As a preventive service, chronic care management means it can also help prevent hospital or emergency room visits as well as reduce the chances of being readmitted after being released. 

How Is CCM Different From Typical Care Management? 

Both programs are designed to provide individuals with assistance and support. As its name suggests, chronic care management is designed specifically for individuals who have at least two chronic conditions. There are requirements regarding the length of time the condition is expected to last as well as how long the clinical time spent with the patient will be. 

Through this program, providers will be able to record and note changes in the individual’s health. By keeping care plans and sharing patient health information with other providers, CCM helps manage changes in an individual’s health. 

Typical care management can provide support to older adults who need ongoing assistance with managing their health and safety. These programs are especially beneficial during transitional periods, ranging from transitioning back home after a hospital stay or moving into a nursing home.

A client’s care manager essentially serves as their advocate, ensuring they have access to the specific services they need to live gracefully. While a typical care management program can include chronic care, it also includes a range of other services, such as:

• Client education
• Care research and planning
• Care coordination
• Medication management
• Hospital-to-home transition care
• Transportation to physician office visits
• Memory care

What Conditions Qualify for Chronic Care Management? 

Chronic conditions are diseases and disorders that are long-lasting, not easily cured and can potentially get worse over time. Alzheimer’s disease is a common chronic condition that affects many older adults. 

With this disease, individuals could experience difficulty focusing, remembering and communicating. Symptoms range from mood swings to physical problems like general discomfort and poor coordination. Some may experience delusions and hallucinations, or they might have a tendency to wander. These symptoms can make it difficult for individuals — and their family members — to continue caring for them alone. 

Along with Alzheimer’s disease, CCM can help individuals with many other types of chronic conditions who may struggle with basic activities of daily living (ADLs), including: 

• Autism spectrum disorders
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Diabetes
• Dementia
• Depression
• Heart failure
• Hepatitis (Viral B & C)
• HIV and AIDS
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
• Stroke

How to Know When CCM Is Right for Someone?

Chronic care management is provided outside of regular office visits to help individuals manage their health and follow their care plan.

To qualify for CCM, a person needs to have at least two chronic health conditions that will last for a minimum of 12 months or the rest of their life. The condition must place the patient at risk for functional decline, acute exacerbation or death.

To be eligible, individuals must also first have a face-to-face visit with a Medicare-qualified provider. This visit can be:

• An annual wellness visit
• A transitional care visit
• An initial preventive physical exam
• Another evaluation or management visit

After the initiating visit is complete, individuals must consent to the program, and then they will receive an individualized care plan. Clinical time spent with the patient can vary, but it must be a minimum of 20 minutes. 

Find the Right Home Care for Seniors With Chronic Conditions 

At Corewood Care, our aim is to improve the way care is managed. Older adults and their families throughout Washington, D.C., and Bethesda, Maryland, have access to our care management services as well as other types of home care and care coordination services. 

Every client is unique, so we tailor our services to meet each person’s specific needs and goals. We specialize in an integrated care management and home care model, and our multidisciplinary team of professionals supports our clients and their families however they need us to. No matter what chronic condition individuals may be facing, our team is dedicated to improving health management by effectively cross-collaborating and mitigating potential health risks. 

Want to learn more about our care management solutions and how we can help you thrive and live gracefully? Contact us today to schedule a free assessment. 

Transitional care management focuses on helping individuals transition between health care settings. This management system aids in improving health outcomes and ensures clients receive consistent services. 

At Corewood Care, we offer comprehensive transitional care management services for older adults to help our clients thrive and live gracefully. Schedule a free assessment to learn how our services can help an older adult obtain trustworthy support as they transition to a rehabilitation or home setting.

What Is Transitional Care?

Transitional care involves the management and coordination of health services as clients move between health care settings. Typically, clients undergo transitional health care services within 30 days of discharge from a medical facility. The goal of transitional health services is to help clients continue receiving a high level of attention and care to help prevent injury or a need for rehospitalization.

What Is Transitional Care Management?

Transitional care management is coordinating a client’s safe transition from one medical setting to another or to their homes. For transitional care management to be successful, providers, clients and families work together to ensure the transition is smooth while reducing the risk of adverse health outcomes. 

What Sets Transitional Care Management Apart?

The main difference between transitional care management and care management and home health services is transitional services only focus on the period when a client moves from one facility to another or to their home. In contrast, care management and home health services focus on assisting individuals throughout their entire health journey.

Care management refers to a collection of services and activities to help clients with chronic or complex conditions effectively manage their health. While the main goal of health management is to help clients improve their health, it can also include smaller goals, such as improving how the providers coordinate service and enhancing engagement.

Conversely, home health services only focus on caring for a client at their home. With home health services, a client may have health care professionals visit them at their home to provide services.

While a care management plan or home health plan may include transitional management services, it is not the main focus, making it essential to have transitional care management services in place to ensure more complete care.

Is Transitional Care Management Ideal in the Long or Short Term?

Transitional care management is a temporary solution and typically ends after the client reaches 30 days after discharge. Since transitional care management aims to provide a seamless changeover, once a client reaches their 30 days, they are no longer in a transitional period and, therefore, no longer require transitional services. 

Situations Where One Would Need Transitional Care Management

For a client to qualify for transitional care management services, they must undergo a discharge from a qualifying service setting such as a hospital and have a medical record that indicates they require additional support. Some specific situations where an older adult would need transitional management services are:

• Transitions within medical settings, like from a primary provider to a specialty unit
• Transitions between medical settings, like from a hospital to a rehabilitation center or a home
• Transitions across health states, like moving from curative care to assisted living
• Transitions between providers, like moving from a general practitioner to a specialist

Find the Care Your Older Adult Deserves With Corewood Care Today

Having an older adult come home from the hospital or transition to a rehabilitation setting can include many challenges, including a higher risk of falls and medication mismanagement. At Corewood Care, we want to help your older adult be successful during their transition period through our transitional care management services. Schedule a free assessment to learn how our services can benefit you and your older adult.