The Covid 19 pandemic has seen a rise in the number of people who have taken on caring responsibilities, as communities pull together to ensure that nobody is alone and struggling.
If you’ve started to care for a loved one, you may have noticed them needing more support as the months go by. If the person is living with dementia, you may have even begun to question whether a care home is a better place to give them the care they really need.
To help answer some of your questions, the Alzheimer’s Society has produced an excellent guide, with advice, and things to consider, when deciding whether a person might be safest with full-time care.
Below are some of the key points to consider; the different types of care available; the benefits of moving into a care home; and how best to prepare for every eventuality.
Care Options
The move from living at home to living in a care home can be done in stages. Respite care (either short stay at a care home, or within a person’s own home) can be a useful tool in deciding whether longer-term residential care will work for you and your loved one.
Sheltered housing or extra care housing could be other options. This can be a good first step for someone who needs a little extra help. However, as a person’s dementia progresses, their needs will increase and in the future a care home may be the best option.
Benefits of Moving into a Care Home
Deciding that someone needs to move into a care home is often a very difficult decision. It is common to worry, or even feel a sense of guilt at making this choice.
However, there can be lots of positives to moving into a care home. Most importantly, a care home will have dedicated and well trained staff, who can provide continuous, 24-hour support, which may be more than you are reasonably able to do.
But there’s more than just ‘care’ to consider. Just because a person moves into a care home, it doesn’t mean they stop doing the things they enjoy, or that are meaningful to them. At Borough Care we believe everyone should be encouraged and supported to live their ‘life in colour’, whatever their age, health or capabilities. If this is important to you, look at the activities, facilities, and social features of the home – it should be a happy place filled with activity, family visits, friendship and fun.
Being Prepared
Quite often, a person with dementia will move into a care home because of some unexpected event. This means you may not always be prepared and may have to make a decision very quickly about what to do.
It may help you make choices in such a situation if you discuss options with the person with dementia as early as possible. You may also want to discuss the situation with friends and other family members too, so you all understand the future plans.
Alzheimer’s Society provides a checklist of things to consider when making this difficult decision, so that you can weigh the pros against the cons, and come to a conclusion that will best support your loved one.
If you would like more information about any of our homes; the care we offer; and how we can help support you and your loved one, please contact us. Our experienced and caring team are on hand to answer any questions you may have.