Why opting for a residential care home is a safe choice for people living with dementia

A residential dementia care home can be a great option for people who are living with dementia. 

Care homes provide a safe home environment for those living with the condition, which means that you don’t need to worry about their wellbeing whilst living independently or spending lots of time alone. 

Accepting that your loved one needs care can be difficult to get your head around, especially when that person is living with dementia. Coming to terms with a dementia diagnosis often leaves people with a lot of unanswered questions. Is there care available in my area? How will they cope when I’m at work? What will happen as their condition gets worse? 

Dementia is progressive, which means that a person’s care needs will only increase as their health declines. You might find that a care home is the best option because your loved one needs round-the-clock care, their circumstances have changed which means staying at home is no longer viable, or you feel that living independently isn’t the safest option for them any more.  Although a person’s memory and general cognition will diminish, there is no reason for their quality of life to suffer. By opting for a residential care home for your loved one you can be sure that they are surrounded by fully-trained staff and always have help on hand.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons for choosing Crouched Friars residential care home for your relative’s dementia care:

A dementia-friendly home

For someone living with dementia, the normal everyday becomes increasingly challenging to navigate. Whilst in the early stages it might be possible for someone with dementia to safely remain in their own home, the number of hazards and potential risks become more apparent as the condition deteriorates. By moving into a residential facility such as Crouched Friars’ dementia wing Colne Lodge, you can easily avoid homely hazards. 

Staying at home can become more impractical by the day if you are living with dementia. Rugs become slip hazards, electrical cables can easily get underfoot and it becomes tricky for people to make calculated decisions, especially where safety is concerned. 

Your loved one’s eyesight is likely to deteriorate as their dementia advances, so we provide comfortable lighting for all levels of activities, and ensure that the home is well lit at night for any of our residents who struggle with the dark. By moving your loved one into a dedicated dementia care home, or a specialised wing like we have at Crouched Friars, you can be confident that “the little things” will no longer be a cause for concern, and your loved one can move throughout their new home care-free. 

Maintaining quality of life when living with dementia

When delivering dementia care it is essential that quality of life never falters, and it’s important to remember that this needs to be tailored to each individual. When we think about quality of life, lots of things spring to mind: good food, a vibrant social life, the freedom to make your own decisions. 

At Crouched Friars, we ensure that we are maintaining an excellent quality of life by closely following ‘The Dementia Statements’ which ‘reflect the things people with dementia have said are essential to their quality of life.’ There are a total of 5 ‘we statements’ which outline the predominant areas that people living with dementia have said need to be observed in order to maintain a great quality of life, even as their dementia progresses. These include having the right to be recognised as who they are and having a right to be respected. Click here if you would like to read more about The Dementia Statements on the Alzheimer’s Society website. 

In our Colchester dementia care home we strive to deliver excellent care to our residents, regardless of how far along they are in their dementia journey. We provide lots of activities to keep our residents stimulated, great home-cooked food and a social environment where residents can spend time together and get the most out of every day. 

Keeping the balance in your own life 

The pressure we can feel to ensure we are doing the best for everyone around us can, all too often, be overwhelming. It is a daunting prospect when the care of your parents, or another elderly relative falls to you – especially if you know very little about a condition such as dementia. By finding a residential care home for your loved one that is a good fit for both them and you, you can start to alleviate some of the pressures that you might feel under the responsibility of providing care.

It’s important for your own welfare, as well as your family members that you don’t burn yourself out by trying to achieve too much. If you are maintaining your job, your own family life, the school run, a social life, taking the dog to the vets… All whilst taking care of someone with a complex health condition, it is likely that you will feel entirely swamped by the situation. Don’t forget, your loved one’s welfare can be dependent on your own. Opting for a residential dementia care home means that you can rest assured that your loved one is getting the attention and care that they need, and you can safely spin all of the other plates in your own life. It’s a win-win.

Dementia care at Crouched Friars 

Although it may be possible for someone living with dementia to maintain their independence for a while, it is important to remember that a time may come where this is no longer viable. Discussing a person’s options, and including them in the conversation is really important when it comes to a successful transition into a residential care home. 

At Crouched Friars residential home in Colchester, we know the importance of open communication, providing information and delivering excellent care to every single one of our residents. We would be delighted to discuss our dementia care with you, and will gladly answer any questions that you may have around the care that we provide. Crouched Friars is welcoming new residents now. For more information visit www.crouchedfriars.co.uk or call our knowledgeable team on 01206 572 647.

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