If your loved one is living with dementia, it’s natural to worry about the future and want to ensure they receive the best possible support. As you explore the many different memory care options and dementia services available, you may find yourself wondering what dementia care in Edinburgh actually involves. In this blog, we’ll explore the ways in which care homes support their residents living with dementia to protect their physical and mental wellbeing.
What is Dementia Care?
Simply put, dementia care is the type of care given to a person living with any form of dementia.
Dementia is an umbrella term for over 100 different progressive conditions that affect the brain, the most common type being Alzheimer’s Disease. This means it is unlikely that two people living with dementia will have the exact same experience, so care must be flexible and entirely lead by the person’s needs and preferences.
Dementia is a progressive disease, which means that symptoms worsen over time. During the early stages, care is often managed well by family members. However, most people living with dementia will eventually need round-the-clock support to ensure their safety, which is when many people turn to care homes or other services for help. It’s vital to remember that you should not feel guilt for considering a care home for your loved one; in many cases it is the best decision for their overall wellbeing.
What Does Dementia Care in a Care Home Involve?
The main aims of dementia care are maintaining a person’s independence, managing anxiety and stress, and looking after a resident’s physical and emotional health. In a care home, a team of compassionate staff are highly trained in managing the various symptoms of dementia and are available 24/7, so you and your loved one can enjoy total peace of mind.
Dementia care includes everything that regular residential care provides, such a support with personal care, a safe and social environment, help with mobility and the reassurance of round-the-clock on-call help. A care home will also manage all household chores such as cleaning cooking and laundry, allowing residents to relax and focus on the things that make them happy. Additionally, dementia nursing care will include medical treatment from a team of trained nurses. Dedicated dementia care ensures that all of your loved ones needs will be met and their wellbeing will be truly understaff and nurtured.
Maintaining Independence
In a good care home, staff will support residents living with dementia to make their own decisions and stay independent whenever possible. While supporting a resident with washing, dressing and using the bathroom, every effort will be made to maintain a person’s dignity and autonomy. Usually, this will look like nurses not intervening until asked or when completely necessary. For some people living with dementia, the simple reassurance of help being on hand can give them enough confidence to get dressed, complete an activity or walk between rooms on their own.
This sense of self-reliance can boost a person’s mental health massively, which is why it is such an important part of dementia care.
A Dementia-Friendly Environment
Many purpose-built care homes in Edinburgh are specially designed to reduce anxiety and confusion for people living with dementia. When you’re on a tour of a dementia care home, notice how the spaces themselves create an inclusive and calming atmosphere.
Wide, clutter-free corridors with regular seating can help people living with dementia navigate the home independently, reducing the risk of falls. Similarly, a flat-pathed garden with a secure perimeter can bring back the joys of a simple outdoor walk, as well as offer a calming sensory experience.
Some forms of dementia can affect people’s vision and even cause hallucinations; therefore, walls and floors will often be contrasting colours and things like black floor-mats will be avoided, so they are not mistaken for holes in the ground. Clear signage with both icons and text can also help people living with dementia move around the home independently.
Perhaps the most important part of a dementia-friendly environment is the supportive community it fosters. Nurses and care staff are patient, compassionate and highly-trained in supporting the unique needs of people living with dementia. Support is given discreetly while maintaining dignity and autonomy at all times, helping residents maintain that important sense of identity.
A Holistic Approach
Many care homes practice a holistic approach to dementia care, which means that every aspect of a person’s wellbeing is supported through every area of their life. For example, residents have the choice to attend cognitively stimulating activities, that can reduce stress, support brain health and offer social opportunities. A full activities and entertainment programme not only allows residents to continue doing the things they love, but can also promote gentle physical movement, self-expression, socialisation and a varied, engaging lifestyle.
Private bedrooms can be personalised to give residents a calming space to retreat to that truly feels like home. Some homes even have luxury facilities, such as a relaxing in-house hair salon to help boost residents self-esteem, or a cinema room that is perfect for reminiscing about favourite films.
Person-Centred Support & Personalised Care Plans
Every person living with dementia is different, and their individuality must be reflected in their care. Before moving into a care home, the staff will sit down with you and your loved one to create a personalised care plan. This comprehensive document records your loved one’s exact care needs and their preferences, from healthcare options all the way down to small everyday details.
Person-centred support allows care home residents to continue their familiar routines and hobbies, enjoy their favourite meals cooked by in-house chefs and keep doing what makes them happy.
Everyone involved in their care will have access to this care plan, including care home staff, GPs and healthcare specialists, ensuring seamless support that always honours a resident’s choices.
Importantly, this care plan is flexible and regularly updated to make sure it is always reflective of a resident’s exact needs. Person-centred care is especially important in dementia care, as progressing symptoms may require a new approach to ensure safety and wellbeing at all times. Care plans are often formally updated every six months, but staff are trained to notice changes and recognise when support needs to be reconsidered.
When Should Someone With Dementia Go Into a Care Home?
There’s no “right time” for someone living with dementia to go into a care home, but here are some signs that your loved one might benefit from residential dementia care:
- Struggling to keep up with household chores, whether it’s due to mobility or memory problems. An untidy or unclean living spaces can lead to poor physical health or falls.
- Safety concerns such as forgetting that they have left the oven on or frequently getting lost.
- Behavioural changes such as confusion, stress and anxiety. People with dementia may begin to not recognise their surroundings and feel unsafe at home.
- Increased personal care needs. Neglecting everyday self-care such as washing can lead to deterioration of mental and physical health and self-esteem.
Every person living with dementia and every family situation is unique, but it’s important not to wait until a crisis to make a decision about care. Broach the conversation early and involve your loved one in the decision to make the transition as smooth as possible. Remember that a good care home in Edinburgh will support you and your family through the entire process with expert advice.
Expert Dementia Care in Edinburgh
Here at Trinity House Care Home, we are proud to provide expert dementia care and exceptional support for the whole family. From your first contact with our friendly team, we can provide expert support and advice to help you feel 100% confident in your choice of dementia care in Edinburgh. Our person-centered, holistic approach places the utmost importance on every resident’s wellbeing, helping them feel independent, happy and comfortable every single day. Please arrange a tour of our home today to find out how Trinity House can support you and your loved one.
