When a person with dementia has been diagnosed as such, it is difficult for both them and their family members to figure out how to deal with the debilitating and deteriorating condition. It’s an emotional rollercoaster and families and loved ones will often wonder what is the best choice in terms of caring for your loved one with dementia.
While some may choose assisted care facilities, there are options for dementia patients to continue living at home with the right type of guidance and support. With this in mind, this article seeks to discuss where the best place for dementia patients is to live and what the expectations can be. Read on to find out more.
Where is the best place for someone with dementia?
People with dementia are better off in familiar surroundings with loved ones, and where memories and pets are. Absence from these places, people and things can make the patient feel down, restless, depressed, anxious and this can result in their exhibiting difficult behaviours.
This is one of the disadvantages of care homes. They simply can’t offer the same levels of familiar surroundings and comforts that living at home can. This is why 85% of people with dementia have said that they would prefer to remain at home. As such, dementia care in your own home should be considered as an important alternative to care homes.
The benefits of home care for dementia patients
There are multiple benefits that come with home care for dementia patients. Below, we list some of the most important ones:
A safer environment
As one’s abilities begin to deteriorate, it’s possible that your loved one may start becoming more clumsy and be more susceptible to falls or injuries. With a carer right in their home, dementia care at home can result in fewer accidents and hospital admissions.
Familiar surroundings
An important benefit of home care for dementia patients is that by living in familiar surroundings, levels of anxiety and confusion are reduced to a major extent. With this come additional benefits such as added safety, comfort and awareness. It’s also great for stimulating one’s memory and cognitive functions and looking at photos of loved ones can help them reminisce about days gone by.
Ongoing companionship
The fact that there is someone in your loved one’s home with their best interests at heart, willing and able to lend a helping hand means that your loved one won’t be lonely and alone. Instead, they will have continued companionship and help with both physical and emotional needs.
Retain independence
Independence is important for every human being, and it is just as important for dementia patients. One way to retain independence is to be in familiar surroundings and make choices for oneself. It’s also important to establish routines as a means of reducing anxiety and distractions.
Engage in meaningful activities
People with dementia who have a carer at home with them can help them take part in meaningful activities such as arts and crafts, gardening, playing with pets, painting and so much more.
It’s affordable
You can choose the levels of support you need for your loved one, making it an affordable option for everyone involved. With at-home care, you get a personalised service and care plan that is uniquely tailored to your loved one’s needs. This option can also lead to significant cost savings, especially when compared with assisted living or nursing home facilities.
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Are dementia patients better at home?
Taking dementia patients out of their environment can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, screaming, irritability, complaining in addition to difficult behaviours. In short, these symptoms are often referred to as “transfer trauma” that is associated with relocating and particularly for patients with dementia. We all find the thought of moving extremely straining and stressful. And this is amplified for people with dementia, who may even suffer delusions and feel uneasy and unsafe in their new surroundings.
As such, keeping dementia patients at home is better for them because it offers more peace of mind, safety, maintaining a routine to help with daily tasks, reduces anxiety and confusion and helps them navigate their homes that much more smoothly. They will be able to exercise greater control over what happens to them and what happens in their environment, stimulating their desire and ability to be as independent as possible.
Get in touch with a professional dementia carer today!
If you are looking for alternatives for your loved one with dementia, in most cases, they would prefer to be at home. What’s more is that you’ll also experience greater peace of mind with the knowledge that a special carer is with them, ensuring their safety and well-being. When considering elderly home care, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. At Walfinch, we are more than happy to assist you with a bespoke plan for your loved one that will give them all the comfort, peace and security they need to thrive.
