Receiving care, whether at a residential care facility or at home, is entirely dependent on the individual’s needs. There is no average age to go into a care home, and live-in care can benefit anyone with care and support needs. However, certain conditions, which may progressively worsen over time, can necessitate additional support and care as symptoms become more severe.
Dementia is an example of a condition where care needs will change as the condition progresses. As more symptoms appear, your loved one may find it challenging to continue living independently at home. If this is the case, it is time to consider some form of extra support for your loved one.
We will discuss when is the right time for you to start thinking about care for a loved one living with dementia. From the signs and symptoms that may prompt you to begin care planning to who makes the final decision, we will unpack this sensitive topic.
How long can a person with dementia live at home?
It is difficult to predict how long a person with dementia can live at home as dementia affects individuals differently depending on factors such as the type of dementia, age, general health and lifestyle. In some cases, dementia progresses rapidly, while in others, the changes develop slowly over months or years.
In the early stages of the condition, only a few symptoms may present themselves, and these are often quite subtle to spot. At this point, depending on the individual’s diagnosis, living at home can still be a possibility.
However, cognitive symptoms such as memory loss and confusion, which develop over time with this condition, can put your loved one at risk. Living alone when an individual cannot remember if they have switched off the iron or left something cooking on the stove unsupervised can be dangerous. At this stage, living in their own home is not completely ruled out, but a helping hand is a good idea.
Enlisting the support of a live-in carer offers your loved one the best of both worlds. Staying in the familiar surroundings of home whilst receiving personalised dementia care. A live-in carer can not only ensure the safety of your loved one but also help them with the daily tasks they may be beginning to struggle with. In addition, alongside the mental effects of dementia, this may also be accompanied by increased hospital visits and other signs of physical deterioration.
Types of dementia care available
As dementia progresses and impacts an individual’s quality of life, it becomes clear that dementia care is required. There are a variety of dementia care options available out there. The first step is to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of each and settle on the most appropriate form of care for your loved one living with dementia.
The most common form of care people think of when seeking out dementia care is care homes or nursing homes. Whilst these offer benefits such as specialised dementia care and in the case of nursing homes, nursing staff on hand, this is not the only option in the case of nursing homes.
An alternative to the care or nursing home setting is live-in care administered in the comfort and familiar surroundings of the individual’s own home. Live-in care also offers round-the-clock support. However, it provides an added benefit. As people living with dementia often experience feelings of confusion, which can result in distress, moving into a care home facility could exacerbate this. Therefore, being able to stay at home is preferable among individuals living with dementia.
Signs someone with dementia needs extra support
Anxiety & distress
“Sundowning” is a term used to reflect the intense feelings of anxiety people living with dementia may experience, typically as the sun begins to set. They may start to believe that they need to go home even if they are already there or feel that they are in the wrong place. Also, they may feel confused about the time of day or phase of their life. For example, they may believe their adult children still need to be picked up from school.
Not only does this result in missed meals due to confusion over time, but the anxiety can lead to panic and distress. Extra support in the form of a visiting or live-in carer can help to manage these incidents of intense anxiety and safely calm their fears.
Memory problems
In addition to confusion, people with dementia commonly experience problems recalling things that have happened in the past. Memory problems can also affect an individual’s ability to recognise family and friends, making them susceptible to door-to-door and telephone scammers.
Alongside protecting an individual’s safety and security in their own home, a live-in carer can also remind them to carry out important tasks as part of their daily routine. A person living with dementia can forget to eat, drink, bathe, and look after themselves in general. This is where extra support can be beneficial in facilitating the everyday activities that are essential to ensuring a healthy life.
How can my loved one benefit from dementia care?
Dementia care can help to support a loved one as they go through the ever-changing symptoms associated with this progressive condition. There comes a time when living alone at home becomes risky and is not in the best interest of your loved one. Arranging suitable dementia care can ensure they continue living as independently as possible. The benefits of live-in dementia care for your loved one include:
- Staying in the comfortable and familiar surroundings of home
- Receiving specialist dementia care from an experienced live-in carer
- Management of periods of anxiety and distress
- Help managing behaviour and personality changes
- Assistance with personal care such as bathing, dressing, and toileting
- Meal preparation and meal time reminders
- Medication management
- Transportation to and from hospital appointments and social activities
- Friendly companionship and emotional support
Who decides?
Who decides on the next steps depends on whether your loved one is able to understand and make decisions for themselves. If they are fully aware of the choices available to them and are able to assess their situation, then the decision lies with them.
However, in some cases the dementia has already progressed to a stage where the individual’s decision making capabilities are compromised. If this is the case, then someone else, perhaps you or another family member, will need to make the decision for them.
An individual living with dementia may have already made a statement about their care plans clear prior to the worsening of their condition. If so, then this should be adhered to. Equally, they may have given an assigned individual Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). This means that the person given LPA can decide about your loved one’s health and welfare on their behalf.
Furthermore, if your loved one is receiving funding, this may also impact their care choices if they would like to move into a care home facility. The care home also has a say in the residents it accepts, depending on availability and your loved one’s individual circumstances.
With all this to bear in mind, deciding on dementia care for your loved one involves many factors, from considering their decision making capabilities to their wishes. Which care option to choose will become apparent when the time comes to seek extra support.
Talk to us about your dementia care needs
Our friendly and experienced team is here to help you and your family make sense of the options available to you. Call us today – we will help you every step of the way.
