The Positive Aspects of Care Homes In Dementia Support
Guest blog from JasonTucker
Often family members can feel guilty
When a person is diagnosed with dementia it has an enormous impact on their family. Many of those who suffer with dementia are elderly and may well have been caregivers throughout their adult life as parents and grandparents, but as the condition takes hold the roles become reversed as they need increasing amounts of care.
At first family members will often try to provide this care themselves, along with help from dementia support services and charities. Dementia is a multi-faceted condition and symptoms include memory loss, impaired reasoning and communication skills as well as a general struggle with day to day activities. Because of these effects sufferers often become disorientated, frightened and can sometimes become violent, risking harm to themselves and others. As the condition progresses the level of care required can become too much for even the most devoted and patient family members. At this point seeking long-stay care in a residential or nursing home can be the best move.
Often family members can feel guilty for making this decision, which is a natural experience, and they may have images of care homes based on outdated information and think of their loved one left alone in a room with just a radio for company. Given the recent news coverage about abuse in a small minority of care homes they may also worry about just what might go on when they aren’t present. However, modern care homes always aim to give the highest standards of care, and the outcomes for patients can be extremely positive, for several reasons.
Firstly, in a care home someone with dementia will receive a lot of opportunities to socialise and be involved in activities which has been shown to help improve their well-being. Although short-term memory is often impaired much of their long-term memory can be unaffected and the ability to be able to have conversations with people about their past can help them feel comfortable.
Staff in care homes understand dementia and use their knowledge and skills to avoid situations that can cause distress. Often sufferers live in a reality that is rooted in the past, and care staff will stay with them in this rather than try and force them into the present reality, which can upset the individual.
Good care homes always make their care person-centred, they view the patient as an individual with their own wants, needs, preferences and personality. By respecting these aspects of the person, instead of focusing purely on their illness, care homes offer an environment of dignity which improves the patient’s happiness.
Making that first step to arrange for long-stay care can be fraught with difficulties but many organisations offer dementia support and can help you make the right decisions to ensure your loved one receives the care they need.
Jason
