What to Know About Care Homes for People With Dementia

Millions of people in the United States take care of a friend or family member with dementia. Sometimes, these caregivers live with the person they care for or close by.

Often, the person with dementia lacks the ability to make this decision for themselves (known as mental capacity). A care home may be recommended by health and social care professionals.

1. The location

A care home for dementia is a safe, friendly environment where residents can feel at ease. It will also offer a range of activities and support to help them stay healthy, active and engaged in life.

Caring for someone with dementia can be a full-time job and is not possible for everyone. If a loved one is becoming increasingly withdrawn and isolated, this could be a sign that they’re in need of residential care. It will help to assisted living for dementia.Often, people with advanced dementia require round-the-clock care and supervision. If a patient starts to lose control of their movements or can’t bathe, toilet or dress themselves, it may be time for them to move into memory care. They will likely need an MRI or CT scan to rule out symptoms like fluid buildup in the brain and brain tumors.

2. The size

In the latter stages of dementia, it is often necessary to seek care home help. This can be because someone’s health and wellbeing are at risk, or because family members simply cannot continue to provide the level of care that is required.

You should look at CQC reports, ask for references and visit potential care homes before you make a decision. Choose a home that specialises in dementia care and has a high resident to caregiver ratio. Look at the size of the rooms and whether they have en-suite bathrooms, a lounge area to socialise in and dining areas.

Larger communities will sometimes have a separate memory care wing so that as the condition progresses, your loved one can move to higher levels of care within the same residence.

3. The facilities

In the later stages of dementia, people will need more care than can be provided at home. Often, this will require a residential care facility like a nursing home or a special Alzheimer’s or memory care unit within a larger residential care facility.

These facilities provide around-the-clock health care for people who need it, such as those diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer’s symptoms or other irreversible forms of dementia like vascular dementia. Some of these facilities also offer a range of social and recreational activities.

Be sure to ask about room availability and costs, whether they accept Medicare or Medicaid, and if there’s a waiting list. Respite care is also available through some of these facilities to give caregivers a break from caring and to help prevent burnout.

4. The staff

The care of a person with dementia requires a great deal of time and attention, which can take a toll on caregivers. It’s important for them to seek out support when they need it so that they can continue to provide the best possible care for their loved one.

During the middle and advanced stages of dementia, the level of care required can go beyond what’s feasible at home. In this case, a care home may be the right option.

It’s essential to understand how a care home works before making this decision. Ask for a new needs assessment to make sure the home can meet your loved one’s needs. Look for a caring and attentive staff. And check if the home has a dedicated activities coordinator who can provide meaningful activities for your loved one.

5. The residents

When someone with dementia starts to require more care than can be provided at home, it may be time to consider long-term memory care. It can be a difficult decision, especially if the person becomes very aggressive or wanders, but it is often the best option for their health and safety.

A care home is a group of homes that house people who cannot live independently, and where at least one caregiver lives. It is a type of residential care, and it can either be privately or publicly funded.

If the person with dementia has lost the ability to make their own decisions, this decision will be made by their attorney under a health and welfare Lasting Power of Attorney or personal welfare deputy (if they have one). They may then qualify for NHS continuing healthcare funding.