Moving Someone into a Dementia Care Home

When Should Someone with Dementia Go into a Care Home?

If you think that it may be time for a loved one to move into a care home for dementia, you should first ask yourself what will be in the best interests of that person and how their quality of life will benefit from the additional support services.

Usually, this transition to long-term care for someone living with dementia is due to one of 3 things: to deliver care that is more beneficial to their needs, to ensure 24-hour supervision, as the person in question may not be able to take care of themselves safely when alone; and to increase social contact, as it is common for someone who is living with dementia to become isolated.

If you are supporting a loved one with dementia, you should also consider the effect it is having on your own life, well-being and feelings. Think about the impact it is having on your health, if you are becoming stressed or more irritable or if you are neglecting other responsibilities, such as work or family, as a direct result of providing care.

If you feel that one or more of these reasons are true for yourself or a loved one, then it may be time to consider alternative care options.

Deciding When it is Time for Residential Dementia Care

Residential Dementia Care offers 24 hour care and supervision for those who are struggling to manage at home, and is a good option during the early stages, as the person may not need specialist support.

Making the decision of moving into a care home can be tough, but residential dementia care may be a practical solution, especially if your loved one is struggling with:

• Washing, dressing and personal care

• Using the toilet

• Taking medication

• Mobility

• Eating and drinking

• Socialising

Staff will help to devise a personalised care plan for residents living with dementia  to assist with these so that they can live a comfortable and fulfilling life whilst staying at the care home.

Moving a Parent or Loved One into a Dementia Care Home

Moving a parent into a care home can be a difficult transition, especially if they are living with dementia, but Barchester has a number of resources available to carers and family members that can be useful in helping them to settle into their new environment:

• Enriching the lives of people living with dementia – this booklet highlights how Barchester are enriching the lives of those people living with dementia

• Dementia Care at Barchester – learn more about the range of dementia care that Barchester offers

• Memory Lane communities – discover the person-centred care available on Barchester’s Memory Lane communities

• Magic Tables – find out more about Barchester’s ‘Magic Tables’, which can help to boost dementia residents’ well-being

• Visiting grandad's new home – a charming, positive story to help children to understand dementia and care home life for grandad.

• Visiting gran's new home – a heart-warming story to help children to understand dementia and care home life through gran's eyes

• A-Z Directory of Dementia Care – this guide provides a quick and simple reference guide to some of the key topics around supporting someone who is living with dementia

Services at a Care Home for Dementia

People living with dementia may require extra or specialised care and support. Barchester has a number of services and facilities that accommodates those who may only require residential dementia care, as well as people with specialist care needs, such as nursing care. Available services at Barchester’s dementia care homes include:

• Person-centred dementia care – we understand the needs of each individual and will deliver bespoke care plans that are respectful to their preferences, and will try to involve loved ones in this process as much as possible

• Residential dementia care – this ensures 24 hour supervision and assistance with daily tasks, such as washing and eating, for those who may be struggling

• Nursing care – some of our homes are equipped to support people with complex care needs by a registered nurse

• Memory Lane communities – these are specialised units for people living with dementia, with sensory environments that can help those with dementia to navigate more easily

• Magic Tables – a series of interactive light projected games, which research has shown they are consistently able to have a positive effect on those living with dementia

• Tailored life-enrichment programmes – allows for all residents to have access to activities if they wish, and to continue aspects of their home life if this is what they choose to do.

• Good nutrition – we seek to deliver an unrushed and supportive dining experience for those living with dementia, whilst recognising that some may have specific dietary requirements or will prefer to dine alone