When Should Someone with Dementia Go Into a Care Home?

Jimmy

November 25, 2024

As you know, deciding when a loved one – or family member – with dementia should move into a care home is a very difficult decision to make, but one that many families unfortunately face.

Dementia is a progressive condition that brings many changes — not only for the person affected but also for those who care for them. Consequently, balancing their desire for independence with the need to ensure their safety and quality of life can be very challenging indeed.

That is why many family caregivers try to support their loved ones in their own homes for as long as possible. However, there may come a time when the level of care required becomes too great to manage at home. Recognising when it’s the right time to consider a care home can help ease some of the stress and help you make an informed decision that is always in the best interests of your loved one with dementia.

Consequently, in this guide, we will explore the key signs and situations that might indicate a move to a care home could be the best option for you to allow you to have the best-informed decision for your exact situation.

For instance, we will cover the practical considerations, emotional factors, and ways to make sure that moving to a care home is a positive step towards better care and support for your loved one.

Stage 1 - Understanding What Dementia Actually Is?

Dementia really is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain. Dementia symptoms can, then, unfortunately, lead to a decline in the person’s affected cognitive function, as this affects memory, thinking, problem-solving, and language.

The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease, but there are many different types, including Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Mixed Dementia as well.

In the early stages, symptoms of dementia might be mild and not significantly impact daily activities. However, as the condition progresses to the later stages, cognitive decline becomes more noticeable, and the individual may require more support with daily tasks and personal care as a result. Within the next few years for instance, it is estimated that over one million people in the UK will have a dementia diagnosis.

Stage 2 - Recognising the Signs It's Time for a Care Home

Knowing when to consider a care home for someone with dementia depends on a lot of individual circumstances, and it isn’t something that 1 answer can resolve for you.

For example, here are some indicators that it might be the right time for your individual situation:

You Have Safety Concerns

Your loved one may start wandering and getting lost, or they may even start to forget to turn off appliances or be at risk of falls. As a result, if you are no longer able to ensure their safety in their own home, it may be time to consider a residential setting where 24-hour care is available for them.

Mobility Issues Become More Noticeable

If you also notice that they struggle with mobility, this can make it difficult for them to perform daily tasks like bathing, dressing, or moving around the house. Care home staff can then provide compassionate assistance with these activities if this is becoming something you need support with.

Personal Hygiene

You may also notice that they may start to neglect their personal hygiene, which may lead to health issues. If this is the care professional care in a care home, it can help manage these needs on a daily basis.

Medication Management

If they are starting to forget to take medication, this can then lead to worsening health conditions. Consequently, staff in care homes can then help with medication reminders to mask the fact that they are taken correctly so that their health does not deteriorate further due to them frequently missing their medication times.

Social Isolation

A lack of social interaction and engagement in social activities can also really impact their mental health; that is where care homes come in, as these can give you a lot of activities and opportunities for residents to interact with others, helping them combat that feeling of being lonely.

Caregiver Stress

As a primary caregiver, you may experience stress, caregiver burnout, and impacts on your own physical health due to the care you need to give. Recognising when you need support is also as important for both you and your loved one as well.

Quality of Life

If their quality of life is declining overall despite your best efforts, a local care home may offer the right care and environment to improve their well-being due to them being able to cover all of the above easily and to a very high standard.

Stage 3 - Working Out Your Care Options

There are different types of care options available, depending on the needs of the person with Dementia, such as:

Local Residential Care Homes

For instance, Dementia Care Homes & Residential Care Homes give you that personal care touch with specialist care and memory care facilities & and activities that are tailored to individuals with dementia, including staff trained in dementia care and environments designed to be calming and safe. These also include help with washing, dressing, taking medicines, and going to the toilet, and offer a communal living environment – like being in your own home – where residents can mix and socialise to help combat loneliness with healthcare professionals who are available around the clock.

Nursing Home

These also have qualified nursing staff on-site to provide nursing care & medical care, which is aimed at more complex health conditions that individuals with Dementia may also have.

Both of these can give you the long-term care facilities you need, which are specifically designed to meet the needs of people with Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of dementia.

Possible Issues When a Person Stays at Home

Family caregivers play an amazing role in supporting loved ones with Dementia. However, caring for someone with Dementia can be physically and emotionally demanding. Family caregiver stress and burnout are common and can impact your own physical and mental health due to the demands of this disease.

As a result, it is important to recognise when the demands of caregiving affect your own health. Consequently, if this starts to happen, seeking support from social services or other healthcare professionals or considering a move to a care home can really help to make sure that both you and your loved one receive the support you need.

A person with dementia may also sometimes behave in an aggressive way, which can be caused by pain, discomfort, disorientation, or infection, and some people with dementia may start repeatedly walking around the home or leaving the house when they are not able to be there.

Furthermore, if the person with Dementia has memory loss, they may forget to take their medicines, or may even forget they need to eat and drink, or worse, turn the oven off, which, if you have to work, can be hard for you to keep on top of.

Recognising the Signs of Declining Health

As dementia progresses, additional health issues may also start to arise that are not noticeable now, such as weight loss, increased confusion, or new symptoms such as anger and aggression. This is where regular medical care and monitoring are essential to address these concerns promptly, which can become more in-depth than you are used to now.

Stage 4 - Making the Decision

Okay, so you have decided that a care home may be the right decision for your loved ones’ individual circumstances, so the next thing you need to know is that making the decision to move someone with Dementia into a care home involves several steps.For example, these can tend to be based around:

Needs Assessment

The first step here is to get a needs assessment from your local council, local authority or social services. This assessment will help you and them determine the level of care required and whether a care home is the best option for them.

Financial Assessment

A financial assessment will then determine if you are eligible for any financial support to help with the care home fees. The person with Dementia may be expected to contribute towards the cost, depending on their financial affairs, for instance.

Legal Considerations

If the person with dementia lacks the mental capacity to make decisions, and you have lasting power of attorney, you can make decisions on their behalf, ensuring they are in their best interests here.

Consulting Healthcare Professionals

Every situation is unique; we understand that. As a result, you should consider the individual needs, preferences, and best interests of the person with Dementia and if this is right for them and their safety. These decisions should never be rushed into in the slightest, and if you have any questions, we can help answer them.

At this stage, it is also good to involve healthcare professionals, such as doctors and social workers, as these can help to give you more insights into the type of care needed and what this may entail, for example.

Considering Their Individual Circumstances

Dementia Support Services and Organisations

There are many organisations that can give you the support you need and more information for people affected by dementia and their families. For

– Alzheimer’s Society

– Age UK

– Dementia UK

– Alzheimer’s Association

These organisations can then offer you more resources, advice, and support groups to help you work through the challenges of Dementia care and see which is a good idea for you. For example, they can give you a lot of guidance on your care options, financial support, and legal matters, but they can also help answer any questions you may have that you may feel you are in the dark about.

Financial Support and Legal Considerations

Paying for long-term care can be a concern. In addition to the financial assessment conducted by the local council, you may be eligible to explore other sources of financial support, with some of these consisting of, for example:

NHS Continuing Healthcare

In some cases, the NHS can also cover the cost of care for individuals with significant health needs, so checking this route out would be a good next step.

Veterans Benefits

Former service members can also be eligible for financial assistance towards care home fees, which you can find out more at the government’s website.

Questions to ask yourself if you are thinking about moving someone to a care home

Are you able to ensure the person’s safety?
Is there a chance that the person living with dementia will get lost or disorientated if they leave their home alone?
Do they eat and drink regularly?
Are you or their care team able to support them in the ways they need?
Do they get enough stimulating activity?
Is their behaviour becoming unmanageable where they currently live?
Do they remember to take the medication?

Choosing a Care Home

As you can see, there are a lot of considerations that need to be considered when selecting the right care home for you, as this is a very important decision. For instance, here, you should consider the following factors:

Location

Proximity to family members and friends can make visits easier and help maintain social connections.

Facilities and Services

When you visit, you also want to look for care homes that offer social activities, have well-trained staff members, and provide the type of care required.

Inspection Reports

You can also ask to review their inspection reports, as this will help you know that the care home has lived up to the standards that it presents to you to ensure the care home meets the required standards you would expect.

Home Environment

A homely, comfortable environment can also really help the person adjust to their new home. For instance, you want to check what items they can bring in, as bringing personal items, like photos and favourite belongings, can really help make the transition much smoother.

Private Room

Having a private room can provide them with a lot of personal space and comfort, and on your viewings, you should ask to see the room in which they would be staying to see if it meets their expectations.

Staff Interaction

Lastly, on any visit, you want to observe how the care home staff interact with the residents, as compassionate staff can really make a significant difference in the quality of care they will give to your loved one as well.

End-of-Life Care Considerations

As Dementia progresses to the later stages, end-of-life care, unfortunately, becomes an important consideration. This is where care homes can provide palliative care, helping to make them comfortable while providing them with a very high amount of dignity in the final stages of their amazing life.

This can also be something to discuss with them to make sure its the best fit for you and your loved one.

How to Prepare for the Move?

When someone living with dementia moves into a dementia care home, there are a lot of things to prepare for.

For example, on the day of the move, this can be stressful for both you and your loved one. As a result, to help make this as smooth as possible, some things for you to consider here could be around:

Plan Ahead

Actually, visit the care home beforehand and familiarise your loved one with the new environment and the path they will be taking on the day from when they get there to their room. This can then help them to know where they are going while reducing their anxiety when they get inside.

Bring Personal Items

Setting up their room with familiar belongings ahead of time can also help them feel more at home the second they enter the room as well.

Stay Positive

Your attitude on the day can heavily influence their perception of the move, and where right to do so, you want to highlight the positive aspects, such as new social activities, how their daily routine will look, and the opportunities this will give them, especially around the social care aspect for instance.

You can also mention how you will be visiting them regularly and how the care home staff will be available to help support them with their health conditions and any changes that may arise.

When Should Someone with Dementia Go Into a Care Home Final Thoughts?

Deciding when to choose a care home and move a loved one with Dementia really is a difficult and emotional decision to make – and a unique experience to each person’s needs and wants. However, it must be the best option to ensure their safety, provide the right care, and improve their quality of life.

By carefully considering the needs of the person, seeking professional advice, and involving all family members, you can make an informed decision that is in their best interest.

Who is Swarthmore Care Home?

Here at Swarthmore, Residential Care Home is an independent care home in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire.

Consequently, we can offer our service users personalised residential care for the elderly by focusing on physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Our care home also offers many modern facilities, including smart TVs and Wi-Fi, and services like hairdressing and chiropractic and has a dedicated team run by our home manager.

However, we pride ourselves on a warm, family-like atmosphere and follow clear guidelines for care and fees, all while providing you with a community and actively organising various activities and outings for you as well.

31 Marsham Lane, Gerrards Cross

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