Heritage Healthcare shares guidance for understanding dementia

The moment a loved one is diagnosed is very difficult and the franchise aimed, in a recent blog post, to equip readers with answers to the commonly asked questions that follow.

As Heritage Healthcare explained it, “A loved one has been diagnosed with dementia and you’re wondering what this means. What is dementia? How can you help? What kind of care will they need as their condition worsens? The answers to these questions and more are in this article on understanding dementia and helping a loved one with dementia at home.” The home care franchise then went on to explain:

• What is dementia? - Also known as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia “is an illness that negatively affects memory, thinking skills, behaviour and personality”. It gradually develops over time “as brain cells are damaged or die”, and by 2050 a predicted 131 million people will be affected by the condition.

• How do I care for a loved one with a dementia diagnosis? - Step one is ensuring they receive proper medical care. Heritage Healthcare said, “The amount of help individuals suffering from dementia require varies from person to person. In most cases, you will need to make sure they are eating a healthy balanced diet and drinking enough water. You may be assisting your loved one with day-to-day tasks such as running errands, taking care of pets, cleaning and personal care.”

• How can I cope with dementia at home? - “While there’s no cure for dementia, it’s possible to manage symptoms and live well at home.” That said, it’s normal for caregivers - especially familial caregivers without formal training - to feel overwhelmed sometimes. At this stage, there are many ways to reach out for help. Carers UK, for instance, is a great resource, providing a variety of “help and support to caregivers”.

• Where can I find help? - Beyond resources like Carers UK, you can also choose to lean on the support of a franchise network like Heritage Healthcare. Heritage Healthcare Home Care Assistants “provide a range of services to help your loved ones remain at home for longer”.

If you’re interested in joining Heritage Healthcare’s growing network, doing important work to support patients and families of patients alike, you can become a franchisee for a minimum initial investment of £35,994. Find out more about starting your franchising journey with Heritage Healthcare via the company’s profile page, which you’ll discover linked above.