Dementia affects how the person experiences aspects of the world around them, as well as memory and recall. This means it has a profound impact on their relationship with food and drink. 

How does someone’s relationship with food change with dementia?

It can manifest in several ways, as every patient is unique and different types of dementia affect the brain in different ways. They can include:

• Changes in appetite, perhaps refusing food or simply not being hungry
• Forgetting to eat and drink, or conversely forgetting that they have already eaten and so overeat.
• Being unable to feed themselves or hold a drink
• Changes in food preferences, perhaps preferring food they had when they were younger
• Being unable to communicate needs, for example, discomfort when chewing, or preferences
• Issues with concentration and being distracted at mealtimes

How do carers support someone with dementia at mealtimes?

One of the challenges of caring for someone living with dementia is to make sure they are well-fed and hydrated, and so able to live as fulfilling a life as possible. 

Alzheimer’s Society has guidance for managing mealtimes that can be applied to people still living in their own homes and for residents in dementia-specific residential care homes. 

Shared regular mealtimes mean social interaction with staff, visitors and other residents. Encouraging them to talk about food and perhaps help make the food, or even grow it in the garden if it is safe to do so, can help with appetite. 

Keeping with familiar routine for times and locations of meals can help to reduce anxiety around food. However, if this causes stress, then healthy snacks between meals can ensure they get enough nutritious food. 

Researchers recommend encouraging independent eating whenever possible, but mealtimes must be safe and they may need assistance. If someone needs help with feeding, then let them determine the speed and when they are finished. 

If someone doesn’t want to eat, then it is best not to force them. Instead encourage them to drink liquids and come back to the food later. 

Staff and carers should monitor the amount of food and drink a person has to make sure they are getting enough but not overeating. 

Mealtimes with dementia can be challenging for everyone involved. Knowing that your loved one with dementia can enjoy their home-cooked meals safely is one of the many benefits of Cleeve Lodge residential care home in Goring.

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This is where palliative care is so vital, as it provides comfort, reduces pain and increases quality of life for your loved one as much as possible.

The ultimate focus of palliative care is to prevent pain and anguish, but because it is not focused on finding a cure, the term is often used interchangeably with hospice care.

Whilst the two are similar, and can sometimes be seen as the same approach to care at two different stages of life, hospice care and palliative care are quite different, with some differences in particular highlighting where one or the other might be more appropriate for a loved one.

Does Palliative Care Mean That A Condition Is Terminal?

Because palliative care does not intend to treat or cure a disease, there is a misconception that it is a treatment only used when there is little chance of treatment.

This is often incorrect; palliative care is often used alongside other forms of curative treatment, sometimes to help with treatment or to improve a person’s quality of life during it.

For example, palliative care is often used to minimise the side effects of treatment and help to provide comfort, coordinating medical treatment and social care.

By contrast, hospice care typically focuses on late-stage terminal illnesses after curative treatments have ceased, and focuses exclusively on ensuring that any time left is spent as comfortably as possible.

When Is Palliative Care Offered?

Palliative care can be offered as soon as a diagnosis is provided and will often change during the course of treatment to meet the needs of your loved one as well as adapt to changing treatments.

Hospice care, on the other hand, tends to only begin once other treatments end, which is typically within the last months of a person’s life.

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Whether you are planning ahead or facing an urgent hospital discharge, finding the right care home can feel overwhelming. There are many factors to consider: quality of care, staff experience, atmosphere, safety, activities, and cost.

At Cleeve Lodge in Goring-on-Thames, we understand how emotional this decision can be. This guide explains what to look for when choosing a care home in 2026.

1. Check the CQC Rating

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspects and regulates care homes in England.

Look for homes rated:

• Outstanding
• Good

Pay particular attention to:

• Caring
• Safe
• Responsive
• Well-led

An Outstanding rating is rare and indicates exceptional standards.

2. Visit the Home in Person

A website and brochure are helpful, but nothing replaces a visit.

Ask yourself:

• Does the home feel warm and welcoming?
• Are residents happy and engaged?
• Do staff know residents by name?
• Is there a calm, homely atmosphere?
• Does the home smell fresh and clean?

Your instinct matters.

3. Ask About Staffing Levels

High-quality care depends on having enough well-trained staff.

Ask:

• What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
• Are staff trained in dementia care?
• How long have key staff worked there?
• Are nurses or senior carers available overnight?

Consistency is especially important for residents living with dementia.

4. Look at Daily Life and Activities

A good care home offers more than personal care.

Residents should enjoy:

• Meaningful activities
• Social events
• Music and entertainment
• Gardening
• Community visits
• Therapy animals
• Celebrations and family events

The best homes focus on quality of life, not just meeting basic needs.

5. Understand What Is Included in the Fees

Some homes charge separately for services such as hairdressing, chiropody, and physiotherapy.

Others, like Cleeve Lodge, provide an inclusive fee structure with no hidden extras.

Always ask:

• What is included?
• Are there additional charges?
• How often are fees reviewed?

6. Consider Dementia Expertise

If your loved one is living with dementia, specialist knowledge is essential.

Look for:

• Dementia-trained staff
• Personalised care plans
• Calm, reassuring environments
• Meaningful activities tailored to individual interests

7. Speak to Other Families

Online reviews and testimonials can provide valuable insight.

Look at:

• carehome.co.uk
• Google Reviews

Consistent positive feedback is a strong sign of quality.

8. Ask About Medical Support

Check how the home works with:

• GPs
• District nurses
• Physiotherapists
• Podiatrists
• Opticians

Integrated healthcare support helps residents stay healthier and more comfortable.

9. Trust the Atmosphere

Families often say they “just knew” when they found the right home.

Look for warmth, dignity, laughter, and genuine relationships.

10. Choose a Home That Feels Like Home

The best care homes combine:

• Exceptional care
• Beautiful surroundings
• Engaging activities
• Compassionate staff
• Clear communication

Why Families Choose Cleeve Lodge

Located in the heart of Goring-on-Thames, Cleeve Lodge offers award-winning residential and dementia care in a boutique, family-run setting.

Families choose us because of our:

• Outstanding CQC rating
• High staffing levels
• Inclusive fee structure
• In-house physiotherapy, hairdressing, and podiatry
• Beautiful gardens and elegant accommodation
• Warm, family atmosphere

Arrange a Visit

If you are looking for exceptional care for a loved one, we would be delighted to welcome you for a personal tour.

Visit Cleeve Lodge

The post How to Choose the Best Care Home for a Loved One in Oxfordshire in 2026 appeared first on Cleeve Lodge.

The progression of dementia is often slow, and many of its symptoms can overlap with stress, illness and medication taken for other reasons. However, doctors have isolated seven stages of dementia, usually grouped into two categories: 

• Pre-Dementia Stages (Stage 1-3)
• Dementia Stages (Stages 4-7)

Here are the seven stages of dementia, what to look for and how they are diagnosed.

Stage 1 – No Impairment

Dementia causes the structure of the brain to slowly degrade, causing neurons to stop connecting to each other. 

This deterioration can happen so slowly that initially, there are no effects at all.

Stage 2 – Very Minor Impairment

Most people have moments of forgetfulness, or where it takes a moment to recall a memory or the location of a familiar object, but if they start to become more common without another factor to account for them, it could be a sign of dementia.

Stage 3 – Minor Impairment

This is the first stage where people notice there might be an issue, when dementia moves from forgetfulness and becomes a noticeable issue. 

It can lead to anxiety and is worth getting checked; the earlier dementia is managed, the slower it will progress.

Stage 4 – Moderate Impairment

This is where people will start to forget major parts of their history, will struggle with organisation or become less aware of events and the world around them.

It is also when people will start to withdraw to hide the effects from others, which can lead to more rapid progression.

Stage 5 – Moderate-Severe Impairment

By this stage, a person may struggle to take care of themselves without help, struggling with memorising details, making decisions, confusion regarding place and time, and may struggle with basic mathematics.

Stage 6 – Severe Impairment

Many of the symptoms associated with dementia, such as wandering, difficulties retaining important details in their life, personality changes and personal care difficulties, are found in stage 6.

Stage 7 – Very Severe Impairment

Also known as late-stage dementia, this is where the condition has progressed to the point that a person is unable to take care of themselves, speak or control their body.

The post What Are The Seven Stages Of Dementia And How Can Care Help? appeared first on Cleeve Lodge.

The saying, commonly ascribed to Broadway actress Laura Benanti, was originally used to describe the emotional power of the musical, but music is a very powerful means to communicate, to remember and to express yourself.

Many care homes incorporate music therapy into their practice, either by playing a loved one’s favourite songs, having music groups to help people with dementia connect with each other and the music they love, or spreading joy throughout the home.

Using music to help people’s wellbeing dates back to Ancient Greece, and most people have an experience where listening to music helped them feel better, improved their mood and enabled them to focus on what they are doing.

With dementia, the benefits are even stronger and can, in some cases, even slow the progression of dementia.

What Are The Benefits Of Music For People With Dementia?

• It unlocks memories, emotions and feelings that are harder to express in other ways.
• It can provide comfort, particularly if there are memories associated with a song.
• It can stimulate the mind, encourage movement and social engagement.

What Music Provides The Most Benefits To People With Dementia?

Given that music is subjective, the best music to play is songs and pieces that a person is familiar with and really enjoys, as they will react positively to it, start to hum, sing along, dance or talk about what the song means to them.

Friends and family members are often the best people to ask, as they know their history and which songs will resonate most.

Whilst everyone has differing tastes, soft, gentle music that is not too overwhelming is the best place to start, before moving on to other pieces that could be more intense.

The post How Can Listening To Music Help Some People With Dementia? appeared first on Cleeve Lodge.

However, we know from experience that if you give people the chance to get involved in activities and engage with those around them, they generally take it. This means many of our residents lead very fulfilling lives. 

Part of this is down to the team of in-house specialists we have on site, including our resident physiotherapist. 

The NHS recommends that older adults do some form of activity, even if it is only light activity, every day, with specific training to improve strength, balance and flexibility at least twice per week. 

On your own at home, this can be very challenging to manage. However, in the safety of a care home environment with a physiotherapist, your loved one will have the support they need to be active in a way that works for them.

Our aim in getting all of our residents moving is to help them increase their independence, reduce any pain they might be experiencing and improve their flexibility to help them live longer, happier lives going forward. 

Exercise programmes are tailored for individual residents, so you can rest assured that your loved one will receive the support they need to improve their physical mobility. We take great pride in helping our residents stay well for longer. 

By having an in-house physiotherapist, we help prevent what’s known as “secondary aging”. This is where people age more quickly as a result of their life choices (such as because they are scared to do exercise) rather than due to physical aging. 

As a result, we help reduce the risk of falls, frailty and too much dependence on others for our residents.

The post Why Do We Employ A Physiotherapist To Train Our Residents? appeared first on Cleeve Lodge.

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We are incredibly proud to have been rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission on three consecutive inspections, in 2016, 2019 and again in 2025. 

Achieving this level of recognition once is rare. Achieving it three times in a row is virtually unheard of and reflects years of consistency, dedication and genuine commitment to exceptional care.

What “outstanding” truly means for families

An Outstanding CQC rating is not awarded lightly. It reflects excellence across leadership, safety, responsiveness, effectiveness and care. 

For families, it means reassurance, knowing that their loved one is supported in an environment where dignity, kindness and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.

At Cleeve Lodge, we take the time to know each resident as an individual, including their history, routines, preferences, and what brings them comfort and joy. 

Our approach is person-centred, calm and compassionate, particularly for residents living with dementia.

Consistency, not chance

What makes our achievement truly special is consistency. Outstanding care is not about a single inspection or moment in time, it’s about delivering high standards day in, day out, year after year.

As a small, family-run care home, we believe this consistency comes from:

• A stable, experienced, and caring staff team
• Strong, visible leadership within the home
• Genuine relationships with residents and families
• A homely, calm environment where residents feel safe and valued

Our registered manager, Emma O’Connor, leads the home with warmth, professionalism, and clear leadership. 

Under Emma’s guidance, Cleeve Lodge secured its third Outstanding rating in May 2025, reinforcing our reputation for excellence.

A place that truly feels like home

Beyond inspections and ratings, Cleeve Lodge is a place filled with everyday moments that matter… shared meals, laughter, meaningful activities and strong links with the local community.

Residents enjoy a varied programme of activities, visiting entertainers, therapy animals and seasonal celebrations, all carefully tailored to individual abilities and interests. 

Families are always welcomed as part of the Cleeve Lodge family, with open communication and a supportive approach at every stage.

Looking for outstanding care in Goring-on-Thames?

If you are searching for a care home in Goring-on-Thames, Streatley, or the surrounding Oxfordshire and Berkshire area, and want true reassurance that your loved one will receive consistently exceptional care, we would be delighted to welcome you.

Whether you are considering residential care, dementia care or short-term respite, we are always happy to offer a friendly conversation or arrange a visit.

At Cleeve Lodge, outstanding care isn’t a claim… it’s proven fact.

The post 3 Times Outstanding: Exceptional Care At Cleeve Lodge appeared first on Cleeve Lodge.

As a progressive condition, dementia will affect people at different rates and in different ways, meaning that some people who receive an early diagnosis may be able to live at home by themselves for quite some time, whilst others may notice a rapid progression of symptoms that means that home care is no longer suitable or appropriate.

The most common reason for people moving into residential accommodation is when they are no longer able to safely live at home, even with suitable adaptations such as improved lighting, safer flooring solutions and colour contrasts which make it easier for objects to stand out.

This can not only increase the risk of physical injury, but also shake a person’s confidence and make them feel anxious about an environment that should be a sanctuary.

Similarly, if someone is struggling to manage with day-to-day tasks, such as eating, drinking, getting dressed or cleaning, then the greater support that comes from a care home can be vital.

As well as this, whilst live-in and round-the-clock home care can sometimes be provided, if someone requires continuous care and it is not feasible to manage this at home, moving to a residential environment may be a better option. This is usually considered after a hospital stay.

Many families want to care for their relatives, but if a person has challenging needs, it may not be possible for friends, family or loved ones to handle the level of care responsibilities required.

Finally, if there is a sudden change of circumstances, such as a primary carer becoming ill, then a stay in a residential home may be necessary either on a short-term respite basis or as a long-term solution.

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