Dementia is a cognitive, degenerative condition that has become increasingly prevalent in older people. As we live longer, healthier lives, a larger proportion of loved ones reach an age at which dementia and similar conditions are more likely.
Deciding how best to care for, protect and support a loved one living with dementia can be incredibly complex. Family members often contact the Forest Healthcare team to enquire about the various options and seek independent advice about the right way forward.
For many, a dedicated dementia care service is the ideal solution, where people are supported in comfortable, homely surroundings, with all the help they need to retain as much independence as possible – and with additional assistance available as and when required.
Understanding the Value of Specialist Residential Dementia Care Services
The Alzheimer’s Society reports that just under a million people throughout the UK are currently living with dementia. This statistic is anticipated to increase to 1.4 million within the next 16 years, meaning more and more families will need to choose how to support relatives following a diagnosis, and from the early through to more advanced stages of the condition.
There may be a range of options, depending on the cognition and preferences of the individual and how well they feel able to manage at home:
- At-home care can be provided by family caregivers or external home care agencies. Families can also opt for mixed familial care and respite care, as the pressure and extent of care required progresses over time.
- Care homes and centres, including assisted living facilities, are suited to individuals with mild dementia or who retain the ability and confidence to communicate their needs and carry out some tasks independently.
- Specialist care home companies provide care centres with a committed dementia care service or there are centres that concentrate only on providing expert care for individuals living with dementia, often at any stage.
Of course, your decisions could be based on factors such as your time and physical capacity to manage the personal care of a loved one, the availability of local dementia care services, and the wishes of the person, which remain fundamental to making positive, respectful choices.
However, we often find that care centres or at-home care have limited applications, where people with more advanced dementia require a greater degree of emotional, practical and personal support and find that the assistance on offer in non-specialist settings can only meet their needs for a short period.
Contrasting Dedicated Dementia Care With General Residential Care
Professional dementia care differs from other types of residential care and is focused on providing support for both the individual and their loved ones, acknowledging that the progression of dementia can be extremely difficult for all.
Trained dementia care teams have a wealth of knowledge, experience, and understanding of how some seemingly minor elements of their care can profoundly impact the well-being, comfort and happiness of the people they support. These include:
- Understanding indications of changes in dementia symptoms, such as forgetfulness, confusion and distress – which can happen occasionally or suddenly.
- Maintaining consistency and familiarity, using home furnishings and regular routines, encouraging social interactions, and family visits. These aspects are known to support cognitive functioning for longer alongside targeted therapies.
- Focusing on the person’s personality, interests, likes, and dislikes, ensuring they can enjoy crafts, meals, activities, and entertainment they most enjoy, and ensuring each resident thrives in the centre setting.
- Offering specialist resources, such as exercises and games that help to stimulate memory and recall, as one of several holistic ways to actively support the retention of cognition and memories over the long term.
Several of the award-winning care homes and nursing centres across our network provide dementia care services, including centres in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, London, Norfolk and Oxfordshire.
For families requiring more intensive or dedicated dementia support, we may also recommend Woodlands Park, a high-quality care centre based in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire.
This peaceful, private, and well-appointed centre is set within a beautiful period home with extensive gardens. It is entirely focused on providing dementia care, ensuring every resident receives the best possible personalised care, assistance, and compassion.
This facility differs considerably from a ‘general’ care centre since the entirety of the care teams, from assistants, caterers and activities coordinators to visiting therapists, trained nurses and partner GPs, are fully trained and qualified in providing respectful care for individuals living with dementia.
When to Consider a Specialist Care Home With Dedicated Dementia Care
There is no right or wrong time to seek help with caring for a loved one with dementia or arranging private care for yourself following a diagnosis.
We often find that people who make active choices about their own care in advance experience reassurance and comfort from knowing how their needs will be looked after over the long term.
An advantage is that relocating can be challenging. Going through this process on a person’s own terms, at their own schedule, and having ample time to make new friends, explore the facility, decorate and furnish a private living space and settle in ensures that, if the individual’s condition progresses, they will already be in a familiar, comfy space.
However, it is equally normal for families to decide to implement professional care when a person becomes unable to manage, starts to struggle to cope with tasks such as bathing, cooking and mobility, or simply wants the peace of mind that a warm, friendly and compassionate care team is on hand to help should they wish.
Care decisions are never easy, nor are they something we take lightly. Our talented, committed care managers and coordinators are always happy to chat about your circumstances, offer suggestions, and ensure you are entirely comfortable that you have complete oversight of the options available to you.
Should you require more information about specialist care support for dementia, the varied facilities and centre centres in our group, or about the assistance available at Woodlands Park, please get in touch at your convenience to arrange a good time to talk or a private tour of any Forest Healthcare care centre.