If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with dementia, you might be wondering about the options for dementia care. Perhaps you’re considering a move to a dementia care home, or want to know when someone with dementia will need care.

Dementia is a progressive condition. Even if you or your loved one can manage well for now, that may change in the future. You may need extra help from carers, either in your own home, a supported living scheme, or a care or nursing home.

In this guide, we’ll look at dementia in more detail, and explain the options for dementia care.

What is dementia?

Dementia is the name for a range of conditions that can cause memory loss, as well as issues with language, problem-solving and other brain functions. It can affect the way that someone feels, speaks, and acts.

Some different types of dementia include:

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Vascular dementia
  • Lewy Body dementia
  • Frontotemporal dementia
  • Young-onset dementia

Other people may develop dementia-like symptoms if they have Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, or some forms of brain damage. Nearly one million people in the UK live with dementia.

Symptoms of dementia

Most people know that dementia involves memory loss, but there are also some less well-known symptoms.

Common symptoms of dementia include:

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life – for example, asking the same question multiple times, losing possessions, or forgetting important events
  • Difficulty solving problems or planning – for example, not being able to follow recipes
  • Difficulty with familiar tasks – for example, using the washing machine or unlocking a door
  • Problems with speaking or writing – for example, forgetting words or having difficulty following a conversation
  • Poor judgement – for example, spending money impulsively or not paying attention to personal hygiene
  • Changes in mood or personality – for example, withdrawing from loved ones or becoming very angry

Some people with dementia may also see or hear things that aren't there.

What is dementia care?

Dementia is a progressive condition. As the condition progresses, people may struggle to manage their home, hygiene and health.

Dementia care may include personal care, such as help with washing, dressing, and taking medication. It might also include housekeeping and meal preparation, help getting out of the house, and providing companionship.

Some people with dementia also benefit from attending activities like reminiscence groups, art therapy, music classes, and fitness sessions.

Broadly, there are four main options for dementia care:

Dementia home care

In the early stages of dementia, many people prefer to stay in their own home. They're surrounded by familiar possessions, and can continue to live with their family and pets.

You may want to care for your loved one by yourself. How to care for someone with dementia depends on the person's individual needs and your relationship with them. Some people with dementia don't want a family member to help them with personal care like washing or dressing.

Talk to your loved one about their wishes. They may prefer to have professional carers support them.

Even if you provide dementia home care for your loved one at first, you may not be able to do this indefinitely. As their needs progress, even if you live together, they may need more supervision and support than you can offer.

You can hire a care agency or a personal assistant to support your loved one. Some agencies provide 24-hour or live-in care, so they can continue to provide dementia home care even as their needs increase.

Advantages of dementia home care:

  • You can stay in your own home, avoiding the stresses of moving.
  • You can continue to live with your partner, family members, or housemates, and keep your pets.
  • You can keep the same GP and other local healthcare providers.
  • You can maintain community links, such as remaining part of a religious community or attending local social groups.
  • Domiciliary care can be much cheaper than residential care – especially if you only need a few hours of care each week.

Disadvantages of dementia home care:

  • 24-hour care or live-in care can be very expensive.
  • If a family member is providing care, this can be a big commitment – and may lead to burnout.
  • If the person struggles to leave the house, they may be quite isolated.
  • There may be safety risks as the dementia progresses, especially if the person isn't constantly supervised.
  • You may need to make significant changes to the home so that it's safe – these can be expensive.
  • Eventually, you or your loved one may still need to move to residential care.

Moving to supported living

Some people with dementia choose to move to a supported living facility. This allows them to remain independent, often living in their own house, apartment or bungalow with their own front door. It also allows them to receive care easily, and know that someone is on hand in case of emergency.

Many supported living schemes have staff on site 24 hours a day. They often have emergency call buttons or cords installed in each room, so you can get help quickly.

Some supported living schemes have carers on the staff team. In others, you may need to hire your own carers if you need personal care.

For some people, supported living schemes are a good compromise between staying in their own homes and moving to a care or nursing home. However, sometimes people with dementia will still need to move to a care or nursing home.

Advantages of supported living for someone with dementia:

  • Staff are available to help in case of an emergency.
  • You can be very independent in a supported living scheme, and don't need to follow a set routine – for example, you can choose to prepare your meals at any time of day, or go out when you choose.
  • The property will usually be fully accessible for people with mobility issues.
  • Couples can often move to supported living schemes, so if your loved one has a partner, they can stay together.
  • Many supported living schemes allow pets.

Disadvantages of supported living for someone with dementia:

  • Moving house can be traumatic for people with dementia – needing to move anywhere may be difficult for your loved one.
  • Care and housekeeping may not be included in the cost of a supported living property.
  • As the condition progresses, someone may need more care than a supported living scheme can offer. They may need to move again, this time to a care or nursing home.

Moving to a care home

Many people with dementia decide to move to a care home. This might be a specialist dementia care home, or a home that takes residents with many different health conditions.

Care homes offer personal care – help with washing, medication management, and toileting. They also provide food, either in a communal dining room or in residents' own rooms.

Care home residents will have their own bedroom. Sometimes there will be a shared bathroom, or residents may have their own ensuites. The entire building is usually accessible for clients with mobility difficulties, too.

Specialist dementia care homes will have a range of activities designed to help people with memory loss and the other symptoms of dementia. These could include reminiscence groups, art therapy sessions, or music classes.

Advantages of care homes for someone with dementia:

  • Care is available throughout the day and night. This includes scheduled care visits, as well as support in the event of an emergency.
  • Food, housekeeping, and laundry services will all be provided.
  • Residents can socialise together, reducing the risks of loneliness and isolation.
  • There's usually a schedule of activities planned for residents, keeping their minds and bodies active.
  • Care homes can be a lot safer than family homes – for example, medications can be safely locked away, and residents won't have unsupervised access to ovens or knives.
  • The building will be accessible and safe, often with lifts, grab rails, and easy-to-read signs, so that your loved one can get around easily.
  • Family and friends can still visit, but don't need to be responsible for providing care.

Disadvantages of care homes for someone with dementia:

  • Some care homes can be very expensive.
  • Some residents can find it hard to move to a care home – especially if they have lived in their previous home for a long time.
  • Care home residents have less autonomy than people living in the community – they need to follow the care home's schedule for meals, activities, and care visits.
  • Many care homes don't allow pets.
  • If your loved one needs intensive nursing care, a care home may not be able to manage their needs – instead, they may need to move to a nursing home.

Moving to a nursing home

If your loved one needs more significant help, they may need to move to a nursing home. Nursing homes are sometimes also called care homes with nursing. They're a great choice for people who have complex health needs.

Like care homes without nursing, nursing homes provide personal care. They also offer 24-hour care from qualified nurses.

Most people with dementia need to contribute towards their care costs. However, if your loved one needs care in a nursing home, they may be eligible for NHS funded nursing care. Find out more about care funding.

Advantages of nursing homes for people with dementia:

  • Nursing homes offer a high level of medical care, and have trained nurses on site at all times.
  • Some residents may be eligible for NHS funded nursing care.
  • Nursing homes generally have all of the advantages of dementia care homes – they provide a high level of supervision so clients remain safe, residents can socialise together, and the building will be accessible for people with mobility issues.

Disadvantages of nursing homes for people with dementia:

  • Nursing homes are often more expensive than care homes or supported living schemes.
  • Partners, family members and pets will not usually be allowed to move in with the resident.

When should someone with dementia go into a care home?

It may not always be obvious when someone with dementia should move to residential care – it all depends on how well they are coping.

To decide if someone with dementia needs to move to a care home, ask yourself these questions:

  • Do they struggle with daily tasks at home, like preparing food or washing?
  • Do their memory issues cause safety risks – for example, leaving the oven on or taps running?
  • Do they forget to eat or drink throughout the day?
  • Do they forget to take important medication, or make mistakes when taking it – for example, taking it too often or getting the dosages wrong?
  • Do they have difficulty getting around the home – for example, going upstairs to use the bathroom?
  • If they usually receive care from a family member or friend, is this person no longer able to help them?
  • Has a hospital discharge co-ordinator told you that the person may struggle when they're discharged from hospital?
  • Has the person indicated that they would like to move to a care home?

If you've answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to consider dementia care.

Conclusion: Dementia care

Many people with dementia need care. They may not need extra help when they're first diagnosed, but as the disease progresses, they may struggle to manage.

There's no one-size-fits-all solution for dementia care. Some people prefer to stay in their own home, whereas others may be more comfortable moving to a supported living scheme, or a care or nursing home. If you're looking for residential care for yourself or a loved one with dementia, Find Your Room can help you find the perfect place.

Ready to find dementia care?

Search dementia care homes and nursing homes with live availability on Find Your Room.

Search dementia care homes →