There is no denying that caring for someone with dementia can be really challenging and stressful. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive conditions affecting the brain. There are many different subtypes of dementia and the condition can affect different people in different ways.
Often, people with dementia will experience memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. These symptoms are often small to start with, but for someone with dementia, they have become severe enough to affect daily life. When the condition progresses you may be looking for ways that you can support your friend or family member with their day to day life and, at this time, in-home care is the perfect solution and here’s why.
One-on-one care
As mentioned above, dementia can affect different people in different ways and the care that one person requires can be completely different to the care for someone else. Choosing in-home or live-in dementia care over a care home will ensure that your loved one receives the tailored personal care that they require.
A one-to-one carer will be able to assist your family member or friend as much or as little as they require and this can be changed as and when it is needed. They can help with all day-to-day activities and provide the companionship for your loved one. As your carers only responsibility when with your loved one is them, you don’t have to worry about other distractions or the carer having to divide their time, you can trust that they are in safe hands.
Familiar environment
Again, dementia can be a very confusing time and everything can feel strange, new and scary for the person experiencing this huge life change. At this time, being in their own home can provide your loved one with so much comfort. This one small factor has such a huge impact on their ability to cope with the other changes going on in their life.
This is probably the biggest benefit of in-home care. Many people are unaware of how much disruption moving someone with dementia to a care home can cause. It is incredibly disorienting moving to a new home where they will have a new room and not have any of their home comforts. Simply being in a place they love and are used to with all of their own belongings offers a great deal of security and peace of mind for individuals with dementia.
Sticking to routine
In a similar way to a familiar environment, having a routine is important for a dementia patient. It is said that maintaining a schedule similar to the one your loved one has followed for years before they got dementia can greatly reduce anxiety and confusion. Humans are creatures of habit and preserving this routine can help your loved one retain some control.
By keeping your family member or friend at home they can stick to their routine and not have to make any dramatic changes. For example, if your loved one used to watch the news every morning whilst eating their breakfast in a specific chair they may feel a sense of normality when they do this, even if they don’t completely understand what they are doing. Professional home care agencies are trained to facilitate daily activities at the appropriate times and help your loved ones follow their daily routine.
Choosing in-home care
All in all, there are many benefits to choosing in-home care over other options available to you when you’re trying to decide on the best care for someone with dementia. You can trust that the people you care about most will be getting the high-quality of care that they deserve in their own home allowing them to be independent for as long as possible.
If you’re searching for a care agency in the UK that you can rely on to look after your loved one then visit the Safehands Live-in Care website. They specialise in dementia care at home and can provide you with a perfect solution if you need a viable and affordable alternative care option to residential care homes. They also offer respite care for dementia carers so if you ever need a break too, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
