16 Feb When Should Someone With Dementia Go Into a Care Home?
When Should Someone With Dementia Go Into a Care Home?
Everyone who receives a dementia diagnosis, will experience its progression in an entirely unique way. Individual symptoms will depend on a range of factors, such as general health, emotional heath, physical condition, and support network. The question: “when should someone with dementia go into a care home?” is, therefore, different in each individual case.
Learning to Live With Dementia
The symptoms associated with dementia are progressive, meaning that they will worsen over time. There may be plateauing periods in which symptoms remain stable, followed by moments of intense change. In the early stages, though, when symptoms are manageable, many families find that they can cope with it at home, thanks to the care of family members and friends.
If families find that they need support in providing care, there is the option of introducing professional care into the mix. This may be hourly scheduled visits to help with shopping or housework, or it may take the form of 24-hour, or live-in respite care.
When Symptoms Become More Challenging
As dementia symptoms progress, they will become more challenging for family carers. It’s not unusual for people with dementia to leave the house regularly without warning, forget that the oven has been left on, or think themselves in danger and seek help from strangers. This behaviour is exhausting and relentless.
Once symptoms have reached this challenging stage, it’s time to ask some difficult questions:
- Am I able to keep my loved one safe?
- Is my care adequate to his/her needs?
- Would a different kind of care improve their quality of life?
Is a Care Home the Only Option?
People living with dementia move into a care home at the point where they need 24-hour care in order to be safe. Additional benefits of this environment include the option to spend time with others, regular meals, medication monitoring and ongoing personal care.
If you are unhappy with the idea of a care home, there is an alternative. Live-in carers are professionals who move into the home of a dementia client in order to offer constant care. They are there day and night, offering monitoring, meals, companionship, and stimulation.
Guilt is Normal
“I always promised they wouldn’t end up in a home”
The guilt that families feel about handing their loved ones over to professional care isn’t logical. However, convinced you are that it’s the right decision, there’s still the nagging guilt that you’ve ‘abandoned them’, or ‘not cared enough’.
We find that it helps if your loved one has been involved in the decision. Ideally they can understand the situation, and agree to the move. If, however, they are unable to participate in such a discussion, you will need to decide on the basis of their best interests.
About Francis House Homecare
Based in Bedfordshire, Francis House Homecare is a leading provider of specialist support for families managing dementia. Our highly trained domiciliary staff successfully deliver support for people living in their own home with mild, medium, and complex dementia symptoms. We offer hourly home visits, sit-in services, 24-hour care offered by care teams, and live-in care.
If you would like to speak to a member of the Francis House Homecare about managing dementia at home, call us today for an informal conversation on 01234 841808.