When should someone with dementia go into a care home?
When an individual’s dementia care needs can no longer be comfortably or safely managed at home, it’s time to consider moving into a care home for dementia or seeking extra support. Choosing to move into a care home is a big decision, particularly for someone with dementia, and it can be hard to know when to take that step.
Whether you have received a dementia diagnosis yourself and are planning for your future, or you are struggling to care for a loved one who lives with dementia, we are here to support you to recognise the right time for someone with dementia to go into a care home.
When is dementia care appropriate?
Dementia care is appropriate for anyone with a dementia diagnosis, at any stage of their dementia journey. This is because specialist dementia care is person-centred, and is tailored to the specific needs and symptoms of the person living with dementia.
Care homes for dementia fall into two categories. ‘Dementia-friendly’ care homes can support those with low-level dementia care needs to live as independently as possible within a residential setting, whilst ‘specialist dementia care homes’ provide expert care and support for those whose dementia symptoms are more advanced, or who need additional help to stay and feel safe.
All of Somerset Care’s residential care homes are dementia-friendly and are able to support those with mild dementia symptoms to live the life they choose. Many also specialise in dementia care, with highly-trained, expert dementia care teams, and dedicated dementia care suites which provide safety, security, stimulation and reassurance for people living with more advanced dementia symptoms or behaviours which challenge.
A specialist dementia care home is a good option for those who are worried about their dementia symptoms progressing, as their expert dementia care team will be able to adjust or increase the amount and type of care and support you receive within the same, familiar setting, should your needs change.
What alternatives are there to care homes for dementia patients?
If you don’t yet feel ready to make the move into a care home, it is worth considering other specialist dementia support which can enable you to stay in your own home for longer. This could include home care visits from specialist carers to support you with personal care or daily household tasks, or perhaps experiencing a snapshot of life in a dementia care home through day care visits or a respite break.
Ultimately, the right dementia care for the individual is whatever meets their needs, helps them manage their dementia symptoms, and stay safe and well.
Who makes the decision to move a person with dementia into a care home?
This will come down to whether the individual who lives with dementia is deemed to have full ‘mental capacity’ to understand and make their own decisions about their health and wellbeing, or whether a best interest decision will need to be taken on their behalf by loved ones and those involved in their current care.
An individual may be considered to ‘lack capacity’ if dementia has impacted their ability to fully understand and make decisions. If this is the case, then a best-interest decision will need to be made by all those involved in the individual’s care, for example, their family and next of kin, medical professionals, specialist health services and social workers, in order to keep them safe.
A best interest decision is a reflection of the individual’s preferences as well as their care needs, to ensure they can be both happy and safe. The outcome of this could be to recommend a move into a specialist care home for dementia, or for the individual to receive expert dementia support in their own home.
What are the benefits for dementia patients in care homes?
Specialist dementia care homes look after the whole person – their physical and mental health and wellbeing, as well as their physical care and practical support needs.
A dementia diagnosis does not mean that you need to give up your hobbies and stop doing the things that are important to you. You may need more support to do the things that you love, but dementia care that enables you to continue with your interests and empowers you to discover new pastimes, not only benefits your well-being but has been shown in some instances to reduce the severity of dementia symptoms or slow down their progression.
People living with dementia can sometimes experience the frustration of struggling to make themselves understood through speech or other forms of communication. Creative activities, such as art and music, have been found to be very effective in helping dementia patients express themselves, which is why you will often find these types of activities on offer in specialist dementia care homes.
What do specialist dementia care homes do differently from other care homes?
The care homes dementia patients benefit the most from, are those which deliver truly person-centred care and support. This involves understanding every person who lives with dementia as an individual, with individual dementia care needs and unique passions and interests in life. Tapping into the unique life experiences and interests of each individual can help to ‘unlock’ a bit of the person that dementia masks.
This was the experience of the care team at our Cooksons Court dementia care home in Yeovil, who observed how Ruth, a resident who lives with advanced dementia, ‘lights up’ when she sits down to play the piano.
The dementia symptoms which can cause Ruth to struggle with her memory and daily tasks, have not taken away her talent and obvious enjoyment of music.
Since making a piano available for Ruth to play whenever she chooses, the team have noticed the transformational effect which playing music has on her, and seen first-hand how music can be a powerful tool against the symptoms of dementia.
“It’s lovely that Ruth is able to express herself through music again. This is amazing as Ruth lives with advanced dementia which affects so many other things that she does.
“It is truly incredible to watch her get lost in the music like nothing else in the world matters.”
Specialist dementia care homes will seek to support the passions and interests of residents living with dementia, as well as provide tailored care which meets their needs. This person-centred approach to dementia care enables those living with dementia to find enjoyment, expression and lead a fulfilling life, despite their diagnosis.
Where can I get advice and support to choose the right dementia care option?
Whether you have a dementia care option in mind or are not sure where to start, our friendly, expert enquiries team can talk you through the various care solutions available, and provide all the information you need to make an informed decision about the care to suit your circumstances.
The perfect care home solution
To discuss dementia care solutions for yourself or a loved one, please contact our knowledgeable Enquiries Team, who will be happy to provide you with the advice and guidance you need, to make the right decision for yourself and those you love.
