Live in care for people with dementia

Live in care for people with dementia can be a better alternative to a nursing home. 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 in the UK have dementia (Alzheimer’s Research UK). That’s about 982,000 people. 1 in 2 of us will suffer from or know someone with dementia. This puts a huge onus on families across the UK. 

Family caregivers find they are balancing work, family, and home with providing care. This can lead to stress and burnout. One way to ease the stress is to get support. This is where home care or live in care can help. It provides an alternative to moving the person into a residential nursing home.

What is live in care?

Live in care is when a professional carer who lives in the home with the person needing care so that they can provide 24/7 support. This is less disruptive for the person who needs care as they can stay in their own home and familiar environment.

Live in care can be tailored to meet the needs of the person with dementia. It can include personal care, bathing & toileting, dressing and feeding. Carers can provide companionship and accompany the person to activities or appointments. They can help the person move if mobility is difficult. Carers can also monitor medication. 

Why does live in care work well for people with dementia

• When people are confused and disoriented with dementia, familiar surroundings and routines can help keep them calm and reduce agitation. 
• People with dementia can have trouble planning and completing tasks. If they are in a familiar home environment, they can maintain a routine and do things ‘from memory’ or habit. 
• Living in the same community they have lived in, sometimes for decades, can help a person with dementia to maintain ties. 
• Most importantly, staying in their own home gives people with dementia a feeling of control and independence over their lives. It gives them dignity. 

Personal care

Jothno Care & Support will draw up a tailored care plan that is specific to the individual’s needs and preferences. We can provide one-to-one support and care teams to cover round the clock care. This provides greater attention and more customised care, compared to a nursing home with multiple residents. Care plans can change as the dementia progresses and needs change.

Safe at home

Continuous supervision and assistance reduces the risk of slips and falls. It prevents the person from wandering out of the home and getting lost. It protects against mistakes with taking medication. Home adaptations can provide increased safety. These can include grab rails, alarms and signs. Supervision works alongside these measures to improve the safety of the person with dementia. Safety measures provide peace of mind for the family who may not always be present.  

Maintaining independence

Live in care encourages independence. Jothno carers encourage users with dementia to maintain their daily activities for as long as possible. These can be physical activities like exercising and going out for walks or cognitive abilities like working on puzzles or making plans for the day. Live in care provides opportunities for people with dementia to maintain hobbies or enjoy social activities and these boost mental health. Individuals are supported to perform tasks for themselves, giving them a sense of control. 

Supporting the family

Live in care reduces the stress for family caregivers and provides some relief if they have been caring full time. This can ease stress, avoid burnout and the emotional upheaval and guilt that comes from caring for someone with dementia. Caregivers can maintain their own lives, spend time with others and take less time off work. 

Nursing homes for those with dementia

The biggest disadvantage of nursing homes for those with dementia is the change that is required. Moving from a family home and familiar environment to somewhere new can be disorienting for someone with dementia. 

While nursing homes can provide more specialised medical assistance and have wider resources, they can feel impersonal and less flexible than individual care at home. 

Also, consider the emotional impact of moving a family member into a nursing home. There will need to be an adjustment to the separation for both the person with dementia and the family left behind. 

What to consider when choosing live in care for dementia

Think about the cost of live in care and a nursing home. Contact local authorities and care organisations to find out what financial support is available or consult an independent financial advisor if you are funding care. Evaluate the type of care that meets your particular needs.

Choose a care agency that has a track record of caring for people with dementia and check reviews. Spend time with the care team to see if they are a good match for your care needs and preferences. 

How to arrange live in care

To arrange live in care from Jothno Care & Support, please fill in our referral form shown below and on the contact us page. You can refer yourself, a friend or family member or a patient if you are a medical professional. 

We will call you back and arrange an appointment to discuss your care provision, assess the needs, tailor a care plan, and discuss the costs involved. Feel free to ask any questions.  

“After a string of unreliable private carers, we decided to employ an agency. Soon after Jothno Care & Support started, we were immediately impressed with the level of service provided. Jothno Care is professional and reliable and offers a friendly service, for which we are very grateful to the entire team.” Shima

“From the moment we contacted Jothno, we felt we were in good hands. The team is extremely responsive and tailored a care plan that perfectly fits our needs. The peace of mind knowing that our father is being well cared for by such a professional and caring team is invaluable. Thank you, Jothno Care!” Emily

Live in care is practical for those with dementia

Live in care is a practical, compassionate and cost effective option for families caring for a loved one with dementia. It provides reassurance to the family that the person with dementia is safe and secure. Live in care helps them to stay in familiar surroundings and reduce their confusion. It maintains their dignity and allows them continued independence which improves their quality of life.