Major lifestyle adjustments have affected George Watters and his wife, P. For those times, his wife checks in regularly with him by phone from her work. Watters, He manages really well for a day or two on his own, as long as we can talk a couple times of day. People in early and moderate stages suffer cognitive problems to a varying degree, including memory loss, personality changes and difficulty expressing themselves.
The organization also lists different types of in-home care for assistance with daily living, from companion roles — more for supervision and social interaction — to skilled care, including medical needs provided by a licensed health professional.
Watters said. We help each other move; we call on each other. You want someone to refer this person. If you have a regular housekeeper, ask if that person would be willing to add an hour or two of friendly visit time in addition to cleaning as part of paid duties. Is the person eating properly, maintaining good hygiene and keeping food stored properly?
Pay attention to whether the individual is dressed appropriately for weather. People who have memory loss and speech difficulties also might start feeling paranoid and isolate themselves, which means they lose ground cognitively without enough sensory or social stimulation, she said. At DAWN, we call it care-giving by stealth.
Tera Jo Hines, Elder Services family caregiver support specialist, said the agency provides free family support services for unpaid caregivers who are typically a spouse or relative providing in-home care. Also, if they want, we can help identify a paid service such as a respite service or counseling. They have spa days and gardening. George Watters, an advocate of independent living for seniors and the disabled, volunteers two days a week at an adult day care center. His background includes working to form the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley, writing support for the Americans With Disabilities Act, and leading a Spokane company, the Watters said.
