Dementia Care
Compassionate Dementia Care at Home in Havering
Dementia care with Certified Care
Living with dementia presents unique challenges, both for the individual and for their family. At Certified Care, we understand. From our local base in the heart of Hornchurch, we provide specialised, person-centred dementia care that empowers your loved one to live with dignity, safety, and comfort in the familiar surroundings of their own home.
Our dedicated dementia care service extends across Havering, including Hornchurch, Upminster, Romford, Rainham, and Collier Row, as well as to our neighbours in Barking and Dagenham, and Brentwood. We are committed to creating stability and promoting independence for every person we support.
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Understanding Dementia
Dementia affects hundreds of thousands of families across the United Kingdom, creating challenges that require compassionate understanding and proper care. This guide explores the nature of dementia, its warning signs, and the care options available.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia isn’t a specific disease but a general term for a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life. It affects memory, thinking, social capabilities, and can alter personality.
Key Statistics in the UK:
Approximately 944,000 people are living with dementia (Alzheimer’s Research UK).
Someone in the UK develops dementia every three minutes (Alzheimer’s Society).
By 2040, it’s estimated that nearly 1.6 million people in the UK will be living with dementia (Dementia UK).
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, but other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
Early Warning Signs
Early detection leads to better management and quality of life. Common signs include:
Memory Loss: Forgetting recent events or important appointments.
Communication Difficulties: Struggling to find the right words.
Disorientation: Losing track of time or getting confused in familiar places like Romford town centre.
Impaired Judgment: Difficulty planning, making decisions, or solving problems.
Behavioural Changes: Mood swings, anxiety, or social withdrawal.
Diagnosis and Treatment
An accurate and early diagnosis is essential. The process typically starts with your GP and may involve a referral to a specialist memory clinic, cognitive tests, and scans to rule out other conditions. While there’s no cure for dementia, several strategies can manage symptoms:
Medications: To help slow cognitive decline.
Cognitive & Alternative Therapies: Including stimulation therapy, music, and art therapy.
Lifestyle Interventions: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and social engagement are critical.
The Alzheimer’s Society provides extensive resources on treatment options.
How Our Specialised Dementia Care Can Help
At Certified Care, we focus on providing tailored support that makes a real difference. Our approach is centred on creating stability and consistency, which are essential for reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of security for individuals living with dementia.
What Does Our Dementia Care Involve?
Our dementia care is flexible and adapted to the specific needs and stage of your loved one’s journey. This can include:
Memory Support: Gentle prompts and reminders for appointments, medication, and daily tasks.
Personal Care: Dignified and sensitive assistance with washing, dressing, and grooming.
Meal Preparation: Ensuring nutritious and enjoyable meals, with support for eating and drinking if needed.
Companionship & Engagement: Preventing isolation through conversation, hobbies, and activities that stimulate the mind.
Managing Behavioural Changes: Our trained carers understand the reasons behind behavioural changes and use compassionate strategies to manage difficult situations.
Liaising with Healthcare Professionals: We can support with appointments and communicate with GPs or district nurses in Romford, Upminster, or your local health centre.
A family member recently shared:
“The carer’s understanding of Mum’s dementia was a huge relief. She was so patient and kind, and Mum really brightened up when she visited. I can’t thank Certified Care enough.”
Planning, Support, and Financial Guidance
Navigating a diagnosis involves practical planning and understanding the support available to you.
Support for Carers
Caring for someone with dementia is demanding. It’s vital that carers receive support too. You can request a carer’s assessment from your local authority and register as a carer with your GP.
Carers UK is an excellent resource, offering a helpline and expert information.
Financial Support and Planning Ahead
After a diagnosis, it’s important to plan ahead. This includes setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and exploring financial support. You may be eligible for:
Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Carer’s Allowance
Council Tax Reduction
The GOV.UK website provides official guidance on benefits.
Finding Dementia Support in Our Local Community
You are not alone. There are excellent national and local resources available to support you and your family.
Key Local Resources for Havering & Surrounding Areas
NELFT Memory Services: The local NHS Trust providing memory assessment and diagnosis services for residents of Havering, Barking and Dagenham, and Brentwood.
Alzheimer’s Society – Havering: Provides local support services, including Dementia Advisers and activity groups.
Tapestry – Dementia Support: A fantastic local organisation with hubs in Hornchurch and Harold Hill, offering specialised day care, activities, and support.
Havering Council – Living with Dementia: The council’s resource page offers guidance and signposting to local support.
National Helplines and Organisations
- NHS – Dementia Guide: Your first stop for official health information and care guidance.
- Dementia UK: Offers a free helpline staffed by specialist Admiral Nurses: 0800 888 6678.
- Age UK: Provides a national advice line (0800 678 1602) and local services.
Why Choose Certified Care for Dementia Care?
Choosing a care provider is a decision based on trust. As a local company, our reputation within the Hornchurch community and beyond is built on that trust.
Specialist Training: Our carers receive specific training in dementia care.
Consistency of Carer: We aim for the same carer to visit each time to build a familiar, trusting relationship.
Local & Responsive: Being based in Hornchurch, we are never far away and can respond quickly to changing needs.
CQC Regulated: We are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), ensuring we meet the highest standards of safety and care.
Take the Next Step
If you are caring for someone with dementia in Havering, Brentwood, or Barking and Dagenham, let us provide the expert, compassionate support your loved one deserves.
