Making the decision to move is never easy, irrespective of circumstances, but for people with dementia and their families, changing surroundings from one’s home to a residential care home can be a very hard decision to make.
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.