The benefits of dementia care at home
Homecare has many advantages when it comes to caring for someone with dementia. At Choice Care, we know living with dementia can be challenging, but our homecare service in Blackburn can help ensure your loved one can enjoy a fulfilling and happy life, in the familiarity of their own home.
Read on to find out the benefits homecare can bring to someone with dementia, should you or your loved one need a helping hand to manage the condition at home.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a collective term for disorders that trigger a loss of brain function. It affects around 850,000 people in the UK – predicted to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.
Symptoms manifest as memory loss, confusion, problems with speech and understanding, coordination and movement. Dementia is a degenerative condition that worsens over time.
This means as it progresses, it can interfere with daily activities including eating, bathing, walking, using the phone, housework and getting dressed.
How we can help people living with dementia
While dementia is a degenerative condition, there are things that can be done to improve life for those affected by it.
If you’re considering dementia care in Blackburn, our specially trained carers understand that a good diet, physical and mental stimulation and routine are crucial to provide stability, independence and support for people with dementia to live at home for longer.
This is how homecare could benefit your loved one if they are living with dementia:
Familiarity
Home comforts can be key to maintaining the cognitive function of someone with dementia, as well as helping them feel calm and relaxed.
Familiar surroundings and belongings can play a part in triggering important memories – whether from a photo, a pet, or even a household smell – and help your loved one maintain a sense of who they are.
Reminiscence is an activity commonly practiced with people living with dementia, as evidence suggests they are more likely to recall events from their younger days and feel comforted by them.
Routine
Moving to a care home generally means a change of routine – and maintaining routine is a fundamental component of managing some of the symptoms of dementia.
Engaging in the same daily activities such as mealtimes, coffee breaks, TV programmes or walks keep days consistent and can help people feel grounded.
If someone remains in their own home, meaningful activities such as gardening and listening to music can also take place whenever they’d like, to keep them mentally stimulated and reinforce their memory.
One-to-one
Unlike in a care home, care will generally be provided by the same person. This consistency of care means your loved one will quickly become familiar with their carer and develop a relationship with them more easily than if they were engaging with multiple people working different shifts.
It also means our carer can get to know them better and understand what they need to help manage their condition as well as keeping a closer eye on them, reducing the risk of an accident.
Companionship
One of the key benefits of homecare is the ability to provide not just physical help, but companionship.
Homecare can allow for a much more personable approach, striking the necessary balance between emotional and physical needs, which is important with a cognitive disorder like dementia.
Independence
Being in their own home means your loved one can maintain a level of independence and their preferred routine – whether that be bedtime, choosing their meal or doing the chores themselves or with assistance if necessary.
Family
If a dementia patient lives with family, such as their partner, being cared for at home means they can stay together.
Being surrounded by loved ones is another key aspect of support and emotional wellbeing necessary for someone with dementia.
If you’re looking for dementia care in Blackburn, consider Choice Care; our sensitive and compassionate approach ensures their independence, individuality and dignity remains at the heart of everything we do. Contact us today on: 01254 504905.