Dementia Care

Research into dementia is thankfully progressing all the time. This has led to the classification of over 400 types of dementia, the most common of which are Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

Dementia is most common in people aged 65 and over but it can occur at a younger age. Sadly, most dementias are progressive and lead to a deterioration of functionality over time. However, there’s lots that can be done to help people live well at home.

Dementia care at home is where a person living with dementia is supported to live independently at home. It could be that they are supported with one or more of the following:

• Personal care (e.g. washing, toileting, changing and self-care)
• Companion care (running errands and socialising)
• Medication support (including administering where required)
• Emotional and behavioural help
• Home help (including domestic chores)
• Night service
• Respite (for family members)

In Nayland Care’s view, dementia care at home should encourage independence with a care plan that focuses on what the person is able to do rather than what they cannot. The focus is on both the physical and mental aspects of living with dementia.

A person’s dementia care plan will outline their care needs and the support they can expect to receive. What is included with the dementia care plan depends on an individual’s care needs. This is important with all care planning, but especially complex care. Regular reviews are held to make sure that care plans are meeting the needs of both the client and their family.

Remaining comfortable and independent at home can have a positive impact when living with dementia. Even if a person’s memory is affected, the home environment can still promote a sense of familiarity and comfort.

A home carer expertly trained in dementia care will know how to build on a person’s strengths and abilities. Equally, they understand where higher levels of support are required.

Nayland Care’s specialist dementia homecare planning tool is designed to accurately assess a person’s needs. This is so that they have the best possible outcome from being supported at home.

There are benefits to family members too as it can be quite exhausting caring for someone with dementia. Care at home can offer much needed respite as well as friendly, expert advice on what else could be introduced to support their loved one.

The answer is always, with compassion. To support someone living with dementia to live ‘well’, their individual care at home plan needs to be person-centred.

This means that the support they receive addresses all their care needs and not just the medical. This is why Nayland Care’s carers receive in-depth training on dementia care, including theoretical and care-based training. After all, dementia can take many different forms and our carers need to be aware of the complexities of the condition to support a broad range of needs.

Our carers also need to be understanding of the wider impact of a person’s dementia on close family members.

Sadly, this can and does happen given the nature of dementia and how it can affect an individual’s behaviour and emotions. This is why our carers are expertly trained in how to defuse a situation and explain to an individual why having care is important. A lot of emphasis is placed on getting the approach right by:

• Giving clear explanations and repeating where necessary
• Building a close trusted relationship, showing the individual they are always valued
• Ensuring we go at a pace they are comfortable with

We are aware that sometimes, a person may also refuse help because they want to remain independent. That’s why we constantly keep our care plans under review to ensure that a person can remain as independent as possible.