5 Aspects of Dementia Care That You Don't Get With At-Home Care

If your loved one is living with dementia, you may be in the process of exploring different care options. This can be a difficult process, as you’ll be considering many different factors to make your choice.

To help you with any decisions you are making, we’re exploring what aspects of dementia care are specific to care homes, hopefully making that all important decision a little easier.

What Is Dementia Care?

In short, dementia care is specialised care for people living with dementia. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions that can affect the brain. Due to the different types of dementia, the level of care needed can vary from person to person.

Dementia can make it hard for people to remember how to complete everyday tasks, or even what tasks they would have ordinarily done in the day. Because of this, their loved ones may be exploring options when it comes to everyday support and care.

Dementia care involves helping to keep individuals living with dementia comfortable, safe and happy. The level of care given in homes for those living with dementia can vary depending on the severity of their condition.

At Caring Homes, we believe that the support provided by dementia care homes should go beyond just managing symptoms. It involves creating a supportive environment that can encourage residents to live as fully and independently as possible.

When Is Dementia Care Needed?

Dementia care is needed when an individual’s condition progresses to the point where they start to need more help with daily activities for their safety and support. Signs that someone may need extra support are when they start having difficulty with memory, daily routines, or making safe decisions.

As a loved one, you may be finding it difficult to provide the level of care they need at home. This is where a dementia care home can support.

What Is The Difference Between Dementia Care & Residential Care?

Both dementia and residential care aim to provide tailored and personalised care for residents. However, each of them is designed to meet different needs.

Dementia care requires the support of trained dementia care nurses who have a wealth of knowledge in their field. Whereas residential care is less specialised and offers general assistance for individuals who need help with daily activities without a specific focus on dementia.

Advantages of Dementia Care Homes

At Caring Homes, our dementia care homes each have a team of trained carers, providing each resident with tailored care to fit their needs. However, with at-home care services, you may not always receive the same comprehensive care and support.

1. Social Wellbeing

One of the advantages of care homes is the ability to socialise, which is more difficult if your loved one is receiving at-home care. This is especially important for those living with dementia, as engaging with others helps to maintain their mental and emotional wellbeing. We understand how important it is for residents to continue doing the things they love and our person-centred care helps to nurture their social wellbeing as well as their physical health.

We plan many different dementia-friendly events that allow each of our residents to be around people in a similar stage of life, helping to increase their mood and confidence. For more information on our dementia-friendly events, visit our dementia hub.

We also understand that some residents enjoy their own company or prefer to spend time with their favourite carers over a larger group. A positive about care homes is that the resident can decide how to spend their time and if this means spending time alone then they are able to do so! You can be rest assured that your loved one will have opportunities to socialise, all while being well looked after.

2. Optional Activities

Dementia activities in care homes, such as painting, gardening and puzzles, are not something that individuals with at-home care receive. Providing mentally stimulating activities has a range of benefits for residents living with dementia. Not only does it help them use their cognitive abilities, but it also provides a sense of purpose, enjoyment and social connection.

At Caring Homes, we provide a range of optional activities in each of our homes for dementia residents, with every detail tailored to ensure our residents feel supported and happy. We encourage each of our residents to maintain their hobbies if possible, and activities are a great way for them to carry on their passions.

3. Peace of Mind For Loved Ones

Our continued support also gives our resident’s loved ones peace of mind. Knowing that they are safe and cared for around the clock in a warm and welcoming environment helps friends and family know that their loved one is being supported.

With personalised care plans and 24/7 support, it’ll allow you to feel confident that they are getting the care they need.

4. Trained Dementia Care Carers on Call 24/7

Each dementia care home resident has access to the support of trained dementia care carers 24/7. Our experienced carers and nurses create comprehensive care plans that are tailored to each resident. This personalised touch allows our dementia carers to know exactly the type of care and support our residents need and at what time.

With at-home care, although some services may cover 24 hours, their response times may be delayed and their knowledge of individual care may not be as comprehensive as trained dementia carers.

5. Dementia-Friendly Décor

We understand how important their environment is to someone living with dementia. Our dementia-friendly décor is thoughtfully designed to create a safe environment that they can navigate easily. Every detail has been considered, from the choice of coloured walls and furnishings to noise resistant flooring.

A safe and calm environment helps residents feel more at ease and can allow them to maintain their independence as much as possible. This is an advantage of care homes that in-home care services may not provide, as our home’s carefully curated environment has been developed over many years.

We understand that the best type of care is different for everyone and we know that deciding to move into a care home can be a difficult choice. You deserve clear and accurate information to help make that decision. There are so many benefits to living in care homes, from a safe environment to social interaction, designated healthcare and more. But it’s best you see for yourself. Book a viewing at your nearest Caring Homes care home today – just call 0808 169 8661 or find a care home online.