When Should Someone With Dementia Move Into A ... - TrustedCare

Factors to consider

Friends & family

Often, the family & friends of individuals living with dementia are their main carers. When deciding whether to move your loved one into a care home, it is essential to consider whether their primary caregiver (s) are able to effectively support and cope with their increasing care needs. If they are struggling, this may indicate that it is the right time to source a care home or home care for the individual. Understandably, this is an emotional decision for friends & family, and they may experience feelings of guilt or defeat, but it is vital for them to remember that they are making the decision with their loved ones' best interests at heart.

Respite care

It is crucial for main carers to remember to make time for themselves by taking a break from caring occasionally. A common concern for family and friends is how their loved one with dementia will respond to moving into a care home; it may be a good idea to arrange a short-term respite stay for them to test the waters and ease them into it gently. If the respite stay goes smoothly, it will give relatives the peace of mind that if the care becomes permanent, their loved one will be well cared for. Arranging regular respite care for a person living with dementia in the same care home could build familiarity and make the transition to permanent care easier for both them and you.

Living situation

Is your relative with dementia living by themselves or with a spouse who also has healthcare conditions? If this is the case and it is not a viable option for family and friends to step in to support, a care home might be the best and safest solution. As dementia symptoms progress, people can become forgetful, which can be incredibly dangerous if they are left unsupervised. For instance, they may forget to turn off the stove, leave doors unlocked or leave a tap running, which could have disastrous consequences. Care homes offer a safe and secure environment where your loved one will have trained carers around to support their needs and keep them out of harm's way 24/7.

Hospital admissions

Has your loved one with dementia had an increased number of visits to the hospital lately? This could be an indicator that their needs have increased and they are struggling to manage at home. It can be unsettling if you're constantly anticipating that call to say that they have had another tumble or found themselves in a situation. In a care home, there are carers on hand 24 hours a day to support residents' care needs and react quickly in the case of an emergency.