How Can a Care Home Help Those Living With Dementia?

If your loved one is suffering from dementia, you may have come to a point when you want to talk about moving into a care home and if you’re the one who holds the power of attorney, you can make the decision on their behalf. It is essential to do research and seek advice from a team of care professionals so that you can find the best care home suited to their specific needs.

In order to provide a better understanding of dementia care homes, we have covered all of the main points on how a dementia care home can provide the best care and support for your loved one.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a long term neurological disease which progresses over time, affecting ones memory, cognitive function, mental capacity, language and reasoning. There are many different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, Lewy body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, Mixed Dementia and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.

These are just a handful of some examples, each one has their own characteristic, progression rate and underlying cause. Early diagnosis and personalised care plans are essential for managing the symptoms and improving the quality of life for those living with dementia.

What is Dementia Care & Why is it Important?

For care givers and family members, caring for a loved one with dementia can be challenging, particularly as the condition progresses over time, meaning symptoms worsen. However, both residential care homes and nursing homes can provide a selection of benefits to the person living with dementia, helping them to maintain their independence, improve their quality of life and ensure their wellbeing and safety stays the top priority.

Dementia care in a care home involves providing support and assistance to those with dementia, this can include helping someone with their everyday tasks. For example, personal care, emotional support and companionship.

What are the Benefits of Dementia Care?

Unique Care for Each Individual: All care, including dementia care within a care home is personalised, tailored to the needs of each resident. The dementia team members work close together with each resident and their loved one, prior to them moving in, so they’re able to create a personalised care plan. Residents are monitored close to make sure they always receive the best care suited to their needs and requirements. 

Safe Environment: All care homes, regardless of the care you’re receiving, yet especially for those with dementia provide a safe and secure environment. This can include secure outdoor areas, access to an emergency response system, staff who are trained in managing specific needs and support aids, walking frames, profiling beds and rails.

To make sure our residents feel comfortable, a lot of care homes will include furniture with contrasting colours, signs above doorways, personalised bedrooms and spacious hallways. Care homes can provide a consistent and familiar atmosphere which will reduce feelings of disorientation and confusion for the resident, which then makes it easier for them to feel relaxed.

Engaging Activities: All care homes will provide an activities programme which are designed to benefit all residents, including those with dementia. These activities can include memory games, music therapy, exercise classes, arts and craft sessions and social events such as movie nights or parties.

Taking part in these activities can help residents maintain cognitive function, improve their physical health, reduce feeling isolated and depressed and overall, enhancing their quality of life. All of these activities provide residents with a sense of purpose, helping them feel valued and connected with others and could also possibly help to slow down the progressions of the symptoms. Through these tailored activities, dementia care homes help residents live with greater comfort, fulfilment and dignity.

Structured Routines: A lot of elderly adults with dementia will benefit from a structured routine and care homes are able to provide this through regular meals, medication management and daily activities which help residents to maintain a sense of routine and purpose. For example, care homes will provide regular meals and snacks at set times, making sure that residents receive proper nutrition and hydration. Residents can also expect a consistent, regular sleep schedule with set bedtimes and wake-up times.

Dementia Care at Oakbank Care Home

Oakbank Care Home is a brand new luxury care home in Crieff, Scotland. Our home offers modernised accommodation for up to 70 residents providing Residential, Dementia, Nursing and Respite Care, all delivered by a dedicated team of professionals who are extremely passionate about what they do.

Our care home in Crieff is within the bustling and attractive Scottish town of Perth and Kinross. Our home represents elegance, within a welcoming and warm environment. We look forward to providing individualised care including mental and wellbeing needs alongside providing the best lifestyles for our residents due to our high end facilities. 

When you reside with us for dementia care, you can be rest assured as all of our staff have undergone expert training to understand the more complex cases of dementia. Our approach revolves around building connections and understanding awareness.

We Welcome You to Contact Us at Oakbank Care Home

If you would like to find a care home for your loved one with dementia, look no further than Oakbank. Due to open in Spring 2024, we have a friendly team who will happily answer any questions you may have; contact us today.