How Can a Care Home Support Someone With Dementia?
Dementia's progressive nature results in a unique journey for each individual, typically requiring increasing care and support over time. As the condition progresses, assistance with daily personal care tasks such as washing, dressing, eating and bathing becomes necessary, along with more complex tasks like medication management and fine-motor activities. This growing need for support is seen across the UK, Northern Ireland and globally, with dementia affecting an ever-increasing number of people.
In the early stages, a person with dementia (or Alzheimer's disease) may only need reminders to perform everyday tasks. However, as dementia progresses, round-the-clock, everyday care may become essential. When maintaining care at home becomes challenging and mental capacity declines, it might be the right time to consider moving into a care home. Although this decision is often difficult and time-consuming, care homes offer numerous benefits.
Funding for people with dementia is a common concern. While many a family member may provide financial support, various options are available for those who need them. Contacting local social services, such as the local authority, can provide guidance through a financial assessment.
Care homes are specifically designed to support individuals for people living with dementia. Here are several ways they achieve this:
Provide a Safe and Secure Environment
- A well-designed environment is crucial for the quality of life, especially for a person living with dementia. Care homes are built to create a safe, homely atmosphere, minimising noise and bright lights, which can be distressing for dementia patients. This environment helps residents and their families feel reassured and secure.
Present Residents with Engaging Activities
- Care homes encourage residents to enjoy different activities, whether it's a favourite hobby, a Sunday lunch with loved ones or arts and crafts sessions. Activity Coordinators ensure dementia-friendly activities are part of the weekly schedule, offering both quiet and social group activities to suit all preferences.
Skilled Professionals
- A dedicated team of health and social care professionals is crucial. These staff members are qualified and experienced in dementia care, providing compassionate support and tailored activities and therapies to meet each resident's needs. Around-the-clock care ensures that skilled professionals are always available.
Extensive Experience
- Care home staff have extensive experience in dementia care and continually expand their skills through training. This commitment to understanding and caring for those with dementia ensures the highest quality of long-term care.
Social Opportunities
- Activity Coordinators plan dementia-friendly activities and excursions, providing opportunities for residents to socialise or enjoy their days quietly. Care homes often organise local trips, helping residents engage with the broader community and meet like-minded individuals.
Support for Family & Friends
- From diagnosis through ongoing management, care homes provide practical and emotional support to both residents and their families. Support groups within care homes allow family members to share experiences and provide mutual support, offering valuable insights and peace of mind.
Dementia Support at Dalgety Bay Care Home
At Dalgety Bay Care Home in Fife, we take pride in delivering exceptional specialist dementia care to our local Fife community. Our team of dedicated healthcare professionals is trained to provide effective care for all stages of dementia. We go the extra mile to ensure our residents lead fulfilling lives through engaging activities and comprehensive care. Residents enjoy the freedom to move both inside and outside the home, fostering their independence. Our team crafts personalised care plans to ensure our dementia residents thrive in a secure and supportive environment.
At our dementia care home in Fife, our staff undergo rigorous training to address the complexities of dementia and its symptoms. Our approach centres on understanding, awareness and building meaningful connections. We are dedicated to enhancing each resident’s daily experiences, fostering an enriching lifestyle through exceptional care and respect. Our dementia care unit is thoughtfully designed to reduce anxiety and confusion, offering numerous dementia-friendly activities to improve mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
Get in Touch With our Team at Dalgety Bay
Our main objective is to ensure our residents enjoy the highest quality of life, free from household management concerns and enriched by community living and understanding specific dementia care needs through researching and visiting care homes can be challenging and a difficult decision. For enquiries about Dementia Care, as well as other care types including respite care, nursing care, residential care or palliative care, please contact us, where a staff member will be here to assist you.
