Home Instead Senior Care, Birmingham

There's an app for that...

Monday, September 30, 2013


App: Alzheimer's & Other Dementias Daily Companion

Your On-the-Go Guide for Dementia Care Advice

How do you deal with a mother who is always accusing you of stealing from her?
That’s a common question asked by many sons and daughters caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. The accusation scenario could just as easily be replaced with: who won’t eat her food, who refuses to shower, who hides her underwear in my purse, who curses at me, who urinates in the bedroom floor vent, or who doesn’t recognize me.
While the situation at hand may differ from day to day and from person to person, the core question remains:
How do I deal?

An App Designed to Help You Deal

We created the Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias Daily Companion App as a pocket guide to help get you through all the dementia care situations you likely never dreamed you’d have to face.
You can download this free app now so when you have a question about the best way to handle a situation, you’ll have quick, helpful tips from experts and other caregivers instantly at your fingertips.

App Overview & Features

The Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias Daily Companion is an iOS mobile app available in the app store for download at no cost. It offers immediate advice with close to 500 searchable tips and practical solutions to help deal with behaviors and situations related to Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Features include:
  • 25 topic categories containing close to 500 searchable pieces of advice from experts and other caregivers regarding:
    • Behaviors and situations
    • Emotional support
    • Helpful resources
  • “Ask a Question” submission form if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for
  • Functionality to share advice from your own experience for the benefit of other caregivers
  • A built-in rating system for users to provide feedback on each tip so caregivers benefit from others’ insight and evaluation of the advice
  • 24-hour caregiving assistance available via a toll-free phone number or email submission
  • Access to free Alzheimer’s and other dementias caregiver resources and training materials
  • Ability to access all of the solutions and tips without Internet connectivity

A Companion to Confidence to Care

This app serves as an on-the-go companion piece to the bookConfidence to Care: A Resource for Family Caregivers Providing Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias Care at Home. The book combines personal stories with the same practical tips available through the app to help you confidently deal with the most common issues associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.



To us it's personal

New Resource for Family Caregivers Providing Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias Care

Friday, September 27, 2013


A Resource for Family Caregivers Providing Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias Care at Home

One of our franchise network’s first reported experiences with Alzheimer’s disease involved a senior who refused to change clothes. She insisted on wearing the same gray pantsuit every day, all day.
Maybe you face similar frustrating situations as you care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Without understanding what triggers the behaviors associated with the disease, or knowing practical techniques to help counter them, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But discovering simple tips, like buying a duplicate pantsuit to encourage the senior into a fresh set of clothes, can mean the difference between endless frustration and a positive care experience.

Gaining the Confidence to Care

We created this resource to help you replace your fears and frustrations with the confidence to care.
Confidence to Care: A Resource for Family Caregivers Providing Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias Care at Home is your essential handbook to becoming more confident in your ability to understand, manage and even help alleviate dementia-related behavioral symptoms that your loved one may be prone to exhibit.

Why We Wrote the Book

We wrote this book to help you. This book combines personal stories with practical techniques drawn from decades of caregiving experience from family caregivers, professional CAREGivers℠ within the Home Instead Senior Care® network, and internationally recognized experts.
All profits from this book will be donated to the Home Instead Senior Care Foundation and designated for dementia-related organizations and causes.

What You’ll Learn from This Book

This book focuses on both memory and behavior symptoms that family caregivers often need help with, including their loved one’s resistance to common personal care activities. Each of these chapters offer plenty of care approaches and prevention tips, and begin with a relevant and moving real-life family caregiver story. The chapter topics include:
  • Aggression and Anger
  • Agitation and Anxiety
  • Bedtime Struggles and Sleep Problems
  • Confusion and Memory Loss
  • Delusions
  • False Accusations and Paranoia
  • Hiding/Misplacing Things/Rummaging
  • Hostility
  • Judgment (problems with decision-making and problem-solving)
  • Medication Mismanagement
  • Mood Changes
  • Repetition
  • Sexually Inappropriate Behavior
  • Social Withdrawal
  • Wandering
Confidence to Care also highlights the importance of caring for yourself while caring for others.


To us it's personal

Home Instead Client on ABC 33/40

Monday, September 23, 2013

Our precious client, Mike Hamilton, shared his story of taking care of his wife who suffers from Alzheimers.  
ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports


To us it's personal