A decision to move into a Care Home is never easy. It can be an emotional and difficult decision that brings with it feelings of uncertainty, guilt, sadness, sometimes relief and perhaps even possibility.
At the heart of the decision is an important question: Can your loved one’s needs be met well at home? And if not, would they have a better life in one of the specialist dementia Care Homes Exeter and Devon have to offer?
Every person’s situation is different, but in most cases, people consider residential dementia care when it’s no longer possible to provide the right level of care at home (even with help from carers or family members).
Signs it may be time to consider residential dementia care.
Recognising the signs that it’s time to explore residential dementia care options can help you make a well-informed and compassionate decision. Here are some common indicators:
- Daily tasks are no longer manageable. If your loved one is unable to eat, dress, or wash without support, this is a sign that additional care is needed.
- Wellbeing at home becomes a concern. If you or your loved is experiencing mobility issues, difficulty using stairs or requires support at night (making home life challenging), then it’s probably time to look around some of the Care Homes Exeter has to offer.
- The primary carer can no longer continue. If something happens to the main caregiver – for example, illness, injury, or burnout – it may no longer be possible to continue care at home.
- Complex medical needs develop. A hospital stay or a new health issue may result in your loved one needing 24-hour care or support that just cannot be provided at home.
- As dementia progresses, family members often feel overwhelmed, and even with the best intentions, full-time caring can become emotionally and physically draining and put undue pressure on a loved one’s health and wellbeing. At this stage, considering residential dementia care can be a practical and compassionate choice.
Understanding the progression of dementia
Dementia is a progressive condition, and symptoms can worsen over time. Despite your best efforts, as your loved one’s cognitive and physical abilities decline, so too will their ability to manage everyday life independently.
If you can no longer guarantee your loved one is safe, it’s time to explore the best dementia Care Exeter and Devon can offer, where trained professionals can support your loved one 24/7 in a homely, happy and loving environment.
The emotional impact on carers
Caring for someone with dementia is one of the most challenging roles a person can take on. Over time, the physical and emotional challenges can lead to burnout, put a strain on family relationships, lead to feelings of helplessness, or lead to illness itself.
Choosing to go into one of the trusted Care Homes in Exeter or Devon is often the best choice one can make. By entrusting your loved one’s care to specialist professionals, you can focus on what matters most: having quality time together, making memories, and most of all giving them emotional support.
Benefits of dementia care homes
There are many positives to moving into a care home, especially one promising the best dementia care Devon has to offer.
Some of the key benefits of dementia Care Homes include:
- Enjoying social activities to alleviate loneliness and encourage engagement
- A dementia-friendly and safe living environment
- Help with daily life; personal care, hygiene, and dressing (whilst taking into consideration the person’s capabilities)
- Trained professionals overseeing health and wellbeing
- Supervision to ensure safety and reduce risk of accidents
- Medication management (as required) and health monitoring
If you are unsure where to start, contact local care homes and ask them how they can support your loved one. Many residential care homes will happily offer advice and tours of their homes. The Old Rectory, our award-winning care home on Tiverton Road, is a great example of the best dementia care Exeter has to offer. Our deeply person-centred culture of care and our ability to build meaningful relationships has been widely recognised by national care auditing organisations like the Care Quality Commission, The Eden Alternative, and Meaningful Care Matters, who all report on the care home, its team and its facilities.
Contact us today and we can help you choose the right care for your loved one, giving them the support they need to live well with dementia.