Placing a dementia sufferer into a care home is a difficult decision to make, especially for family members who share a deep connection to those affected. Whilst the disease is easier to manage in its early stages, people living with dementia tend to experience a gradual deterioration to their quality of life as the illness progresses.
This can turn into a more serious issue, more so when those around them don’t have the required knowledge or experience to address critical situations. If you’re considering the option of placing your loved one in a care home, your mind may be flooded with questions regarding the process. Read our advice on things to evaluate before making a decision.
When Is The Best Time?
There is no threshold to inform you whether the right time has come or not, it all depends on the severity of the illness, the person’s age, physical disabilities and other personal circumstances. Generally, the decision is made once an unforeseen event has happened. This might be related to a sudden decline in the patient’s health, a change in behaviour signalling safety issues, or simply not having the necessary means to provide domiciliary care.
Healthcare professionals are always good impartial judges and can provide advice on whether a care home is a suitable option. You can get help from the government and apply for a care assessment, which will determine what type of support is needed.
Who Should Make The Decision?
Sometimes, asking people with dementia whether they’d like to live in a care home might make the process easier. However, in most cases, the affected person lacks the mental capacity to decide for themselves, so the responsibility falls on their family or anybody else who has lasting power of attorney. More often than not, family members find themselves in emotional situations, which may prompt them to try and keep their loved ones close, even when the situation requires moving them into nursing or residential care.
If this is the case, it’s essential to remember that there are home care services that employ fully-trained staff who are experienced in dealing with illnesses affecting memory and can provide round-the-clock home support. Therefore, deciding whether a person with dementia needs moving into a care home should always be a matter of putting the sufferer’s best interests at heart, as opposed to any feelings of guilt you might have.
Paying For A Care Home
The costs incurred by care homes can be covered privately, or with government help. Patients who are entitled to funding get a personal health budget set by their local council which entails the care home fee, the council’s contribution, as well as the patient’s contribution. If the person who has dementia isn’t eligible to get council funding, the costs need to be covered privately.
Consider Dementia Home Care Services
If you’re a family member or carer to someone who has dementia, you’ve probably been exploring a range of options to keep your loved one close, while ensuring they still get the care they need. Although each case is different, many prefer to use specialist care services, because they enable sufferers to remain in their own home.
These responsive and well-led solutions are famous for boosting the patient’s confidence and independence, by preserving the interactions and the space they’re familiar with. A study (NCBI, 2013) showed that patients who were cared for in their own home experienced a greater quality of life and social interaction than those living in a care institution.
Home care services are easily accessible, cheaper, and can be government-funded, which means that you may be entitled to a Health Budget to help cover the costs. The process is usually straightforward and requires an initial meeting to discuss a personalised care plan as well as any other concerns.
At Sova Healthcare, we offer a high-quality dementia care service, which has been specifically designed to enable patients to remain in their homes, close to their loved ones. Our branches in Bradford, Birmingham, Leicester and Harrogate can get your service started as soon as you want. If you or someone you know needs specialist care, get in touch with our expert team today.