Dementia Care Options: The Strong Case for Dementia Home Care and Live-in Care
As dementia progresses, maintaining a good quality of life often becomes increasingly challenging without additional support.
The Preference for Familiar Surroundings in Dementia Care
A significant advantage of dementia home care is that most older people, particularly those with dementia, express a strong desire to remain in their own homes.
Familiar surroundings and routines promote feelings of comfort and safety for individuals with dementia.
Change can be particularly difficult and disruptive, making the option to stay in their beloved home – filled with memories and continuity – highly valuable. This can significantly help reduce the stress and distress that a move to a residential setting might otherwise bring.
Benefits of Dementia Home Care
Choosing dementia home care for someone with dementia offers numerous advantages:
Maintenance of Routine and Independence
Home-based dementia care allows individuals to continue their usual daily routines and maintain a sense of control over their lives. Care plans are designed to be specific to each person, considering their needs, routines, and individual preferences. These plans are regularly assessed and adapted as needs change, with a crucial focus on supporting independence.
If you think you or a loved one might benefit from support at home, then contact Certified Care to arrange a non-obligatory care assessment.
Personalised One-to-One Attention
Unlike residential care homes where resources and staff are shared, dementia home care provides dedicated, one-to-one support. This enables carers to focus entirely on the individual’s needs, offering a level of personalised attention often not possible in a communal setting. Live-carers can even be matched to clients based on shared interests or hobbies, enhancing the quality of the dementia care experience.
Continuity and Community Connection
Remaining at home allows individuals with dementia to stay connected to the community they know and love, enjoying local events and familiar faces. Friends and family can visit freely and frequently, which can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness and depression often associated with moving into a care home.
Comprehensive Support
Dementia home care workers are trained to assist with a wide range of tasks and needs, including:
- Personal care (washing, dressing, toileting, incontinence aid) with dignity and respect.
- Household duties (laundry, cleaning) to maintain a tidy home.
- Meal preparation, ensuring regular, nutritious eating and drinking, considering tastes and dietary needs.
- Medication reminders and management.
- Companionship and addressing emotional and mental wellbeing.
- Support with specific dementia symptoms like “sundowning,” managing distressed behaviours, and encouraging engagement.
Respite for Family Carers
Caring for someone with dementia is demanding. Dementia home care services provide family caregivers with much-needed regular breaks. This respite allows them to rest and focus on their own wellbeing, supported by organisations like Carers UK, knowing their loved one is in capable hands.
Do you need support looking after a loved one at home?
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Safety Considerations
While safety is a concern in any setting, some research suggests people receiving care at home may experience fewer falls. Home carers can advise on precautions like timed medication boxes or fall alarm bracelets to minimise risks.
The Distinct Advantages of Dementia Live-in Care
For individuals requiring continuous assistance, dementia live-in care is an excellent solution. A trained care professional moves into the person’s home, providing 24/7 support. This offers immense peace of mind, knowing someone is always there for dementia care, daily tasks, and routine management.
Reputable dementia live-in care providers ensure a suitable replacement carer is found quickly if the regular carer is unwell or on holiday, maintaining seamless support.
Navigating Dementia Care Decisions and Support
Deciding on the best dementia care option involves careful consideration of the individual’s needs and preferences.
It is highly advisable to plan ahead while the person with dementia still has the mental capacity to participate.
This includes discussing preferences for future care and putting legal arrangements in place, such as a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for health and welfare and property and financial affairs, as well as an Advance Decision (living will) or Advance Statement. If mental capacity is lost, decisions will be made in their “best interests.”
To access support, request a needs assessment for the person with dementia and a carer’s assessment for yourself from your local authority (Social Services). If you live in Hornchurch, Upminster, Romford, Rainham, Collier Row, here’s more information for Havering local authority.
These are free, even if self-funding care. Funding options for dementia home care include local council funding, personal budgets, direct payments, and potentially NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding for primary health needs. Benefits like Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Carer’s Allowance may also be available.
When choosing a dementia home care provider:
- Ensure the agency is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England. Equivalent bodies are Care Inspectorate Wales, Care Inspectorate Scotland, and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) in Northern Ireland.
- Verify carers have dementia-specific training and experience.
- Check for DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks.
- Ask for references or testimonials.
- Prepare a “life story” profile to help carers understand the person.
Numerous organisations offer invaluable support for dementia care. Admiral Nurses from Dementia UK provide free, expert advice. Other useful resources include local Dementia Advisers, Memory Cafés, and organisations such as Age UK and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Conclusion: Embracing Dementia Home Care and Live-in Care
While care homes serve an important role, dementia home care and dementia live-in care present a compelling case for enhancing the quality of life for people with dementia.
By allowing individuals to remain in their familiar homes, maintaining routines, and receiving personalised, dedicated support, these dementia care options can foster greater comfort, independence, and connection, ultimately providing better outcomes for both the person with dementia and their family carers.
Next Steps
Are you a family carer in need of support or advice about dementia care?
Contact our dedicated team today to discuss how we can help or arrange a non-obligatory free home care assessment.
Do you need support looking after a loved one at home?
Let our experienced Team help you understand your options.
There's no cost and no obligation.
Just a helpful conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Dementia home care allows individuals to stay in their familiar surroundings, which promotes comfort and reduces stress. It offers personalised one-to-one attention, helps maintain daily routines and independence, and allows for continued connection with their community, friends, and family.
Dementia live-in care involves a trained care professional moving into the individual’s home to provide continuous, 24/7 support. This offers constant peace of mind, ensuring someone is always available for personal care, daily tasks, managing routines, and providing companionship.
Dementia home carers are trained to provide a wide range of support, including personal care (like washing and dressing), household duties, meal preparation, medication reminders, companionship, and help managing specific dementia symptoms like agitation or sundowning. They also offer respite for family carers.
Start by requesting a free needs assessment from your local authority (Social Services) for the person with dementia, and a carer’s assessment for yourself. Funding options can include local council funding, personal budgets, direct payments, and potentially NHS Continuing Healthcare. You may also be eligible for benefits like Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance.
Ensure the agency is regulated (e.g., by the CQC in England). Verify that carers have specific dementia training and experience, and have undergone DBS checks. Ask for references and consider preparing a “life story” profile to help carers understand the individual’s preferences.
