Dementia affects around 850,000 people in the UK alone. The number of people battling with dementia is estimated to rise to 2 million by the year 2050. The need for specialised dementia care is increasing at a rapid rate and most people are turning to home care to provide this essential service.
Dementia care at home could not be possible and would not be effective without a comprehensive dementia care plan. The major benefit of using a company specialising in dementia care services, such as Guardian Carers, is receiving a tailored dementia care plan which will enable you or your loved ones who suffer from dementia to improve their wellbeing at home.
In this article, we will explain what makes a good dementia care plan, the points one needs to keep in mind when creating a dementia care plan, as well as how one of our specialist consultants could help develop a personalised care plan together with you for your family.
The key to a successful dementia care plan is to not only focus on managing the immediate symptoms of dementia but have the individual at the core. It’s important to note here that dementia affects different people in different ways - one person will not have the same experience with dementia as the other.
A good dementia care plan will enable you or your loved ones to continue to live life independently, increase cognition levels and allow for a secure and happy life. At Guardian Carers, each person receives a tailored care plan and it is no different in the case of individuals who suffer from dementia.
As stated above, having the individual at the core of the dementia care plan is essential. A person-centred approach to dementia care planning is the way to go. Such a plan will first take into account the individual’s needs and behaviours and the circumstances which may trigger them. Members of the family who are actively involved in the individual’s life will be able to provide all of this information. Below, we will explain the process of how a specialist dementia consultant can help build a comprehensive dementia care plan.
Furthermore, gathering all this information and knowledge will allow the future carer to build an empathetic and understanding relationship with the individual. This will enable them to talk about topics that generate interest in the individual and engage them in activities that will bring them joy and improve their quality of life.
A specialist care consultant will be able to advise and collaborate with the individual’s family members to develop a personalised dementia care plan. In the case of Guardian Carers, a specialist consultant will have an initial consultation with the family members to discuss the care needed, the length of time the care will be needed for and they will take in-depth about the individual who requires the care.
Some of the things they will need to find out are how advanced the individual’s dementia is, their likes and dislikes, their interests, their abilities, their level of cognition, their daily routine, and their response to care (if they have had care in the past).
Based on this information and more, the specialist consultant will be able to develop a dementia care plan in collaboration with the family. Based on this dementia care plan, they will look for dementia carers who encompass all the requirements to a tee.
Guardian Carers consultants specialise in making the perfect matches between individuals who suffer from dementia and carers. Their approach makes for successful and long-lasting care placements with the sole focus on improving a person’s cognition and overall wellbeing.
A structured plan will make it easier for the carer to offer the best care possible. But remember that a dementia care plan doesn’t need to be set in stone. This can change and evolve over time based on the individual’s needs and wishes. Whether you are a carer or a family member considering a dementia care plan, here are some points which should guide you along the way:
Despite the benefits of a routine in an individual’s life, you should still leave some leeway for other spontaneous activities such as going for an afternoon walk, listening to music or doing some DIY, for example.
Here is a good starting point for activities to consider in a day:
If you are doing this on your own and thinking about how best to organise the day, you should think about which activities work best and which don’t. Think about the reason why they don’t and replace them with an activity that will bring pleasure to the individual.
Some other things to think about are whether there are times when there is too much going on and times when there is too little. If this is the case, you can always restructure the dementia care plan. Also, if you’ve tried to do something spontaneously but it did not work as you were hoping to, consider changing the activity and analyse why it didn't work out.
After reading this article, you should have a better understanding of how a dementia care plan is developed and how a specialist can support one’s family in getting the best dementia care plan in the comfort of home. To learn more about dementia services, you can call 0207 183 1395.
Give us a call. We are ready to help. We believe we can find your perfect carer.