Dementia Care at home

Some people can live well at home with dementia for many years, but for others, bringing dementia care to them at home

is a well-needed support option.

Our dementia home care services

Some people with dementia may experience a complete loss of safety awareness both indoors and outdoors, putting themselves at risk of harm when crossing roads or using kitchen appliances, for example. This can be distressing to both the service user and their loved ones, so the offer of dementia care at home is a welcome service to them.

When symptoms such as these are present, the person may need 24-hour care to ensure they are safe at all times. In some cases, they may be protected by a Deprivation of Liberty Order (DoLS), agreed by the Court of Protection, which will prescribe legal measures to ensure their safety but not deprive them of their liberty.

Aster Care is experienced in supporting people with a community DoLS order, ensuring this is used appropriately and will not be to the person’s detriment.

Working hard to improve dementia care for all

Aster Care uses a range of resources to effectively deliver care that perfectly complement our dementia home care services:

‘Dementia – A Practical Guide for Staff’ booklet was produced by our Operations Director who aimed to give simple explanations of the main types of dementia and to guide staff on how to respond sensitively to behaviour manifestations.

Working in partnership with our community mental health professionals both prior to, and after hospital discharge to assist adults with complex dementia to return home – and stay there for as long as possible.

We use and distribute information from the Alzheimer’s Society to support staff and families with key lifestyle skills, i.e., advice on how to manage your money, keeping safe at home, how to eat well, etc.

Our Dementia Care policy is based on the principles of Professor Thomas Kitwood and his research into dementia, and the guidelines as set by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), taking into account: –

The individuality of the person, including their needs and preferences, paying due regard to their mental capacity.
The need to embrace person-centred care and personhood.
The need to involve the family members or key people in the cared-for person’s life, with permission, to listen to and include their views.
The importance of allocating a key worker and undertaking frequent reviews that inform the care plan.
The need to support informal carers, signposting them to respite services as required.
Integrated working with other health care professionals to deliver the best care possible to the individual.

We are members of the NHS National Institute for Health Research to help beat dementia.

Making Local Connections: We work with local shops, cafes and museums to alert them to our service users’ needs.

Working with Community Police: We alert the local police with photos and basic information regarding our vulnerable adults who may be at risk if they abscond.

Why use our dementia home care services?

One of the main benefits of being cared for at home is being in familiar surroundings. This can give great comfort on those days when the person feels anxious or tearful – both of which are common emotions experienced by those with dementia. It could, therefore, be argued that aiming to live at home with dementia for as long as possible will give a ‘constant’ amongst the changes that will inevitably occur as the person’s memory lapses in and out, giving good days and bad days.

As dementia progresses, those around the person may benefit from – or require – a little more support. Sometimes, this can happen urgently. Navigating through the care options can be complex, especially when done under pressure and often in a haze of stress and confusion. Relatives may immediately think a nursing home is their only option.

However, increased care at home can still be a viable alternative and knowing your options in advance can be helpful.

Pop-in safety & support checks at home

The person with dementia may live alone, have an elderly or frail partner, or have family members who still have to go to work each day and are therefore unable to help out as much as they would wish. In these instances, they may inevitably require additional help.

One of the first layers of support can be ‘pop-in’ or ‘safety’ visits. These involve a paid care worker visiting the property for short periods (around 30 minutes) up to 4 times per day to support with tasks such as helping to wash and dress, prepare food, or assist with medication. This level of input can work well in mild to moderate cases of dementia, particularly if there are no real concerns for the person’s safety. These visits can continue for years, and many domiciliary care agencies will provide this service.

This is often done in the manner the person so wishes, which we call ‘person-centred care’. There is no rushing about or strict regimes, just the giving of care and support that is tailored to the individual in the way they wish for it to be delivered.

When pop-in visits aren't enough

In the latter stages of dementia, some people can experience such confusion that they may wander and be a danger to themselves indoors or to members of the public when outdoors, i.e., crossing a road without looking. In these circumstances, they may require continuous support to prevent injury or another catastrophic event. At this point that relatives may think that a nursing home placement is their only option.

However, some organisations, like Aster Care, offer up to 24-hour care in blocks of hours that can give greater flexibility and complement existing care given by families. We can provide care for the entire day whilst a relative is at work or overnight to give the family carer a well-earned rest. This service does not always have to be booked seven days a week but can be used as a ‘respite’ session where pre-booked.

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Discover more about how at-home care for loved ones with long-term conditions and complex dementia is a viable alternative to traditional nursing-home care.

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