My Popa has dementia which is why I was happy to collaborate on this post, it really resonated with me as we have carers to ensure that Popa stays in his own home for as long as possible.
There are currently around 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, but the Alzheimer’s Society expects that figure to rocket to over one million by 2025 and two million by 2051. With an increasingly aging society, more of us will need Dementia Home Care if we reach old age and are diagnosed with the condition.
Dementia is one of the cruellest diseases, causing memory loss, confusion, speech problems and problems in understanding. When the sufferer still lives in their own home, it can also be extremely dangerous. Dementia sufferers will often experience accidents, including burns, scalding and falls. They may also forget to look after themselves in other ways, forgetting to eat, finding they’re unable to dress themselves or carry out personal hygiene tasks.
Why care at home?
Those living with dementia don’t like change and can become extremely distressed if they’re in unfamiliar surroundings or their routine changes. They also struggle with new faces, meaning that care homes are often terrifying places. Dementia really requires one to one care and – with the best will in the world – staff in a residential home simply do not have the time needed to give each patient the personal care they need.
Although the Alzheimer’s Society says that about 70% of people in care homes are suffering from dementia, more and more people are now choosing dementia home care for their loved ones. Live-in care is fast becoming a more popular choice, enabling a dementia sufferer to remain in their family home where they can be helped to live a more independent life for as long as possible.
Live in carers such as those provided by Promedica24 (https://www.promedica24.co.uk/) move in with the elderly patient and stay with them round the clock, providing companionship as well as care. Unlike in a residential care home, there will always be a familiar face rather than a constant stream of support workers as shifts change and new staff take over. This also means the dementia sufferer gets the high quality, personalised care they need to remain safe and continue enjoying life.
Is it the right choice for you or your relative?
For the wider family, live in care at home provides peace of mind. Through no fault of their own, many middle-aged children of dementia patients will find they do not have the time required to support their loved one throughout the day and night, with work and other care commitments taking up a significant amount of their time. The cost of live-in care often works out much cheaper than securing a room in a residential home, making this an affordable alternative to care homes.
By organising home care services and a live-in carer, they can be assured that their relative has all the support, care and companionship they need to maintain their independence and stay safe. Patients are then able to stay in their familiar environment and are helped to do the things they love, keeping them connected to their past and the things which matter to them.
