Remaining Independent with Dementia Care at Home

A short while ago, the only real decision a family could make for their loved one with dementia was to move them to a nursing or residential home for the appropriate care, uprooting their life and routine in the process.

Fortunately, today there are far more care options for people with dementia. Dementia care at home services allow them to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own home. Not only does this prolong and retain their independence, but it also ensures they can access the care they require without leaving their community.

Dementia Statistics in the UK

Dementia affects hundreds of thousands of people across the UK. According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, an estimated 944,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, meaning more than half of UK adults know someone who has been diagnosed. Now more than ever, caring for people with dementia should be a priority for our society.

Alzheimer’s Research UK also indicates that the number of people in England and Wales living with dementia who require palliative care will almost quadruple by 2040. These statistics reveal the prevalence of dementia in our community.

How Does Dementia Care at Home Work?

As a person starts to lose their ability to manage their daily tasks and self-care, home care can be a safety net that allows them to retain their independence. A specialised care worker understands how to provide care and support while keeping your loved one safe and comfortable. Plus, all care at home services can be personalised to suit what your loved one needs – whether that’s specific support with tasks or simply companionship.

A home care worker can help with:

• Meal preparation
• Monitoring of medicine
• Running errands
• Maintaining the household and cleaning
• Aiding with personal and continence care
• Clinical and in-home healthcare
• Assisting in mobilisation throughout the home
• And other tasks

Dementia and Alzheimer’s: What’s the Difference?

Dementia is an umbrella term for a collection of symptoms, including confusion, memory loss, and difficulty problem-solving. It is caused by a disorder of the brain that affects behaviour and cognitive processing. Dementia can impact a person’s ability to complete daily tasks and recall past memories.

Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia. It’s the most common branch of dementia that accounts for 60 to 80% of all dementia diagnoses. Alzheimer’s is an irreversible and progressive disease. It most commonly appears in a person’s early 60s.

The Benefits Of Care at Home for Dementia

Familiarity

Coming to terms with dementia can be a difficult and overwhelming time for a person and their loved ones as there is so much to adjust to. Having the ability to stick with daily routines and home life can make the process far more stress free. Our homes are a safe place for us to relax, where we’ve formed memories and attachments over the years. At-home care allows loved ones to maintain a sense of familiarity while still receiving the care and support they deserve; in the home they love.

Independence

Care at home is designed around the needs and wants of the individual, rather than forcing the individual to adjust to their care. This means that people with dementia, and their families have full control over what their care looks like, how to fits in to their daily routines, hobbies, and goals to help them live independently at home. It’s truly customised care to support the person’s life on their terms.

Companionship

Home care staff provide the compassionate level of care they would want for their loved ones. While residential care staff’s time is often spread across multiple people, at-home care takes a 1:1 approach that allows people with dementia to receive focused care and quality time with their carer. With care at home, your voice is heard and understood, and as time goes on, many families tend to regard their home carer as a friend, or another member of the family.

Support

As dementia becomes more prevalent in the community, the care industry has been able to adjust quickly and find new ways of implementing effective, specialised care to support those with dementia and their families, so they don’t have to go through this difficult time alone. More home care agencies are providing dementia care training for their care staff to help individuals with housework, hygiene and care tasks, social activities, appointment and medications and so much more so they can live comfortably and safely in the comfort of their own homes.

The Alternatives to Care at Home

Care Home

Care homes are often the first destination for people with dementia who are struggling to maintain their independence. However, care homes typically provide general care for the elderly, rather than specialised care for people with dementia. A change in environment can be distressing for people with dementia, as routine becomes vitally important after a diagnosis.

Family Carers

Another common way a person with dementia accesses care is via a family carer. While this is beneficial for the person with dementia to have extra care, it can be incredibly challenging for the carer. Having a care worker can help ease the burden on family members, allowing them to enjoy time with their loved one rather than feel stress and pressure as their primary carer.

No Care

Perhaps the most frightening alternative is when dementia patients who have care needs receive no support at all. This presents several risks to their health, including forgetting to take medication, wandering or getting lost, falls and injuries, and more.

Navigating a Dementia Diagnosis

If you or your loved one has recently been diagnosed with dementia, we understand you may be feeling afraid or uncertain right now. The unknown is always challenging, particularly when it comes to our health.

Here are some ideas to make navigating this time easier:

• Get connected: The practitioner who diagnosed the dementia can connect you or your loved one with relevant support services.  These support services can make a significant positive impact on your experience, and many are fully or partially funded, so don’t delay.
• Research the condition: There are lots of up-to-date dementia research and resources available to the public. Understanding the condition can help you prepare as the condition progresses and makes you aware of how to best support your loved one.
• Call your local care service: Calling a care provider like Aspire UK can help you feel confident that you’re doing the right thing. We support many families with dementia and can recommend tailored services to support your family.
• Notify trusted people: While you may find this difficult, it is important that the people in your loved one’s everyday life are aware of their diagnosis. This includes family and neighbours.

The Aspire UK Approach to Dementia Care at Home

Being diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s is a worrying time and can often be stressful for the individual and their loved ones. Home care agencies such as Aspire UK offer local residents specialised in-home dementia care, supporting people with dementia and their families.

Aspire UK’s 20 years of experience makes them a leading provider in the Leicester and Leicestershire area. Their dementia trained care staff and supporting nurses ensure the best quality of care, from anywhere between one to 24 hours a day. Aspire UK emphasise person-centred, tailored care that focuses on the unique goals of the individual to help them achieve independence at home, whatever that may look like for them.

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About the Author

Aspire UK

Aspire UK offers personalised help to live at home, but they also provides social care and support to accomplish other outings or goals.

If you’re looking for personalised dementia care at home in the Leicester and Leicestershire region, contact their experienced team today.