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30 results for “home care”

• Living SafelyWhen home care may be neededHome care ranges from a few hours of companionship to full-day personal care.
• Living SafelyWhen memory care may be appropriateMemory care provides a secured environment with dementia-trained staff and structured programming.
• Directory listingIllinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramAdvocacy for residents of nursing homes, assisted living, and supportive living facilities, including complaint resolution.
• Caregiver CenterCaregiver burnoutCaregiver health is part of the patient's care plan. Burnout is predictable, and it is preventable with help.
• Living SafelyHome safetySmall environmental changes prevent the injuries that most often lead to hospitalization or a move.
• Understanding DementiaLewy body dementiaLewy body dementia combines cognitive change with visual hallucinations, fluctuating alertness, movement changes, and sleep disturbance.
• Understanding DementiaParkinson's disease dementiaParkinson's disease dementia develops in some people years after Parkinson's movement symptoms begin.
• Living SafelyLiving alone with dementiaSome people with early dementia live alone safely with supports. The plan needs regular reassessment.
• Living SafelyWhen someone needs more supervisionSupervision needs increase in steps. Recognizing the step early prevents crisis decisions.
• Living SafelyWhen assisted living may be appropriateAssisted living suits people who need help with daily tasks but do not require a secured setting.
• Directory listingIllinois Department on Aging — Senior HelpLineStatewide entry point for benefits, in-home services, the Community Care Program, and referral to your Area Agency on Aging.
• Understanding DementiaWhat is dementia?Dementia is not one disease. It is a term for a decline in memory, thinking, language, or judgment that is severe enough to interfere with everyday life.
• Understanding DementiaAlzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. It usually begins with short-term memory difficulty and progresses gradually.
• Understanding DementiaFrontotemporal dementiaFrontotemporal dementia usually begins between ages 45 and 65 with changes in behavior, judgment, or language rather than memory.
• Understanding DementiaLATE (limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy)LATE is an age-related condition that causes memory loss resembling Alzheimer's disease, most often in people over 80.
• Testing & DiagnosisWhen should memory problems be evaluated?Evaluate when memory changes are noticed by others, are progressing, or are affecting daily tasks.
• Testing & DiagnosisMoCA and similar screening testsBrief screening tests take about 10 to 15 minutes and indicate whether fuller evaluation is needed.
• Testing & DiagnosisBlood biomarkers including p-tauBlood-based biomarkers can indicate Alzheimer's pathology with a simple blood draw.
• Testing & DiagnosisLumbar punctureA spinal fluid sample can measure amyloid and tau directly and evaluate for inflammation or infection.
• Testing & DiagnosisWhen to see a neurologistPrimary care can start the evaluation. Specialist referral helps when the picture is complex or treatment is being considered.
• TreatmentCan dementia be treated?There is meaningful treatment for dementia, even though most causes cannot yet be cured.
• TreatmentLeqembi (lecanemab)An anti-amyloid antibody that modestly slows decline in early Alzheimer's disease for carefully selected patients.
• TreatmentWho may qualify for disease-modifying therapyEligibility depends on stage, biomarker confirmation, imaging findings, medications, and other health conditions.
• TreatmentSocial connectionIsolation accelerates decline; engagement supports mood, sleep, and function.
• Caregiver CenterAgitationAgitation is usually communication. Something is uncomfortable, confusing, frightening, or overwhelming.
• Caregiver CenterSleep problemsPoor sleep worsens memory, mood, and behavior — and is often improvable without medication.
• Caregiver CenterMedication refusalRefusal often reflects suspicion, difficulty swallowing, side effects, or simply too many pills.
• Caregiver CenterParanoia and accusationsAccusations usually come from memory gaps the brain fills in with an explanation.
• Caregiver CenterHow to redirect someone with dementiaRedirection works when you join the person's reality first and change direction second.
• Living SafelyFallsFalls are among the most common causes of injury, hospitalization, and loss of independence in dementia.