Dementia Care: Caring for Individuals
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is not a single disease. It is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect how the brain functions. Dementia can cause changes in memory, thinking, language, judgment, problem-solving, behavior, and personality. These changes are significant enough to interfere with daily life and independence.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Its effects also extend beyond the person living with the condition, often changing roles, routines, and relationships throughout the family.
Several different diseases and conditions can cause dementia:
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for approximately 60% to 80% of cases.
Vascular dementia is caused by conditions that reduce or interrupt blood flow to the brain, including strokes and damage to the brain’s blood vessels.
Lewy body dementia can affect thinking, movement, sleep, behavior, and visual perception.
Frontotemporal dementia primarily affects areas of the brain associated with personality, behavior, language, and decision-making.
Mixed dementia occurs when more than one type of dementia-related brain change is present at the same time.
Signs That Deserve Attention
Occasionally forgetting a name, appointment, or where you placed your keys does not necessarily mean you have dementia. The concern is when changes become more frequent, noticeable, or begin interfering with everyday life.
Possible signs include:
Repeatedly misplacing items and being unable to retrace your steps.
Getting lost in a familiar neighborhood or location.
Becoming confused about dates, time, or place.
Showing poor judgment or making decisions that are unusual for the person.
Having difficulty completing familiar tasks, managing medications, preparing meals, or paying bills.
Showing poor judgment or making decisions that are unusual for the person.
Repeating the same questions or conversations without remembering the answer.
Struggling to find words or follow a conversation.
Experiencing noticeable changes in mood, personality, or behavior.
Early Detection Matters
Not every change in memory or thinking is dementia. Medication side effects, infections, depression, thyroid disorders, vitamin deficiencies, sleep problems, and changes in hearing or vision can cause or worsen similar symptoms. Some of these conditions are treatable.
If you notice new or worsening changes in yourself or someone you love, schedule an appointment with a physician. A thorough medical evaluation can help identify the cause, rule out treatable conditions, and provide access to treatment, education, support, and planning as early as possible.
Sudden confusion or a rapid change in memory, behavior, alertness, or physical ability should be evaluated promptly, as it may indicate an urgent medical condition.
Receiving a diagnosis—or even beginning the evaluation process—can bring uncertainty and many questions about what comes next. Many families provide care at home for a person living with dementia. With the right education and support, home can continue to offer familiarity, connection, and meaningful daily routines.
Families do not have to navigate these changes alone. In-home dementia care can provide practical assistance, reassurance, and respite while helping the person remain as safe, engaged, and independent as possible.
Benefits of In-Home Dementia Care
Familiar surroundings
Remaining at home can provide comfort, familiarity, and a greater sense of security.
Supportive orientation
Clocks, calendars, familiar objects, names, and gentle reminders can support awareness of time, place, and routine without testing or correcting the person.
Dignified personal care
Respectful assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, grooming, and meals helps protect comfort and dignity.
Consistent routines
Familiar schedules and daily habits can help reduce confusion and anxiety.
Reassurance and redirection
When someone becomes anxious, confused, or focused on something distressing, caregivers can calmly acknowledge the emotion and redirect attention toward something familiar or comforting.
Cueing and prompting
Simple, one-step guidance helps the person participate in dressing, meals, personal care, and other daily activities.
Meaningful engagement
Activities are selected according to the person’s interests, abilities, and preferences.
Support for families
Reliable care gives family caregivers time to rest, work, attend appointments, or simply enjoy time with their loved one.
Dementia Care Services
Dementia affects each person differently. Arista begins with a complimentary in-home assessment to learn about the person’s abilities, routines, preferences, safety needs, and family priorities. Together, we create a personalized care plan that can change as needs evolve.
Care can be scheduled from four to 24 hours a day, depending on the level of support needed.
Care may include:
Companionship and meaningful activities.
Bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting assistance.
Meal planning, preparation, and hydration reminders.
Medication reminders.
Walking, mobility, and physical activity support.
Grocery shopping, light housekeeping, and laundry.
Supervision and respite for family caregivers.
Observation and reporting of changes in health, behavior, or ability.
The Arista Dementia Training Academy
Quality dementia care depends not only on what a caregiver does, but also on how the care is provided.
The Arista Dementia Training Academy is a tiered training pathway with four progressive levels: Standard, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master. Caregivers build foundational knowledge through Nevvon’s online dementia education and then learn how to apply that knowledge through hands-on training led by Paula Birney, owner of Arista Home Care Solutions and a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Using demonstrations, discussion, role play, realistic home-care scenarios, and competency checks, caregivers strengthen their skills in communication, redirection, orientation, personal care, behavior response, safety, and reporting changes to Arista.
As caregivers progress through the Academy, they develop a deeper understanding of how to adapt their approach, preserve dignity, and respond thoughtfully when a person’s needs or abilities change.
Start With a Conversation
Call 419-754-1897 or request a complimentary assessment to begin the conversation.
Every family’s situation is different. Whether you are beginning to notice changes, adjusting to a recent diagnosis, or realizing that more help is needed at home, you do not have to have every answer before reaching out.
During a complimentary in-home assessment, we will listen, learn what matters to your loved one, discuss your options, and help determine the right level of support. Our goal is to help each person remain at home with dignity, comfort, and connection for as long as home remains the safest and most appropriate setting.