When Should Someone With Dementia Go Into a Care Home?
Seeing someone you love live with the progressive changes of dementia can be difficult and emotional. Some family members may be carers for their loved ones and find that eventually they require support beyond what they can offer, while others may notice a decline during family events or visits. As dementia is a unique experience for every individual, there typically isn't one clear moment that shows additional support is needed. Instead, you will typically notice a series of changes that gradually suggest a care home move will be in the individual's best interests.
In this blog, we explore how dementia affects everyday life, the key signs to look out for and how choosing a care home in Derbyshire can improve quality of life for both residents and their families.
How Dementia Affects Everyday Life
Dementia affects a person's thinking, memory, communication and feelings. At first, changes might be subtle, such as misplacing objects, repeating questions, or forgetting recent conversations. Over time, these changes can begin to interfere with daily routines.
Tasks that once felt automatic, such as cooking a simple meal, using household appliances, taking medication on time, or managing money, may become confusing or difficult. The individual may also struggle with orientation, losing track of time, days, or remembering familiar places. These difficulties are a direct result of how dementia affects the brain, and they often increase gradually.
Signs That Suggest Dementia Care Homes Are Needed
Difficulties With Personal Care
One of the most important signs that more support may be needed is a growing difficulty with personal care. You may notice that a loved one is not washing regularly, is wearing the same clothes for several days, or is unable to manage shaving, hair care, or oral hygiene without help.
Managing continence can also become more difficult as dementia progresses, which often leads to embarrassment and distress. When personal care is consistently hard to manage, it can affect both physical health and dignity.
Struggling With Everyday Tasks at Home
Dementia can make everyday tasks around the home increasingly challenging. Chores such as cleaning, laundry, or shopping may be neglected. Food might be left out of the fridge, meals may not be prepared safely, or a loved one may forget whether they have eaten.
Other signs include unpaid bills, misplacing important letters and forgotten household routines such as locking doors at night or turning off appliances. If the house becomes noticeably cluttered, unclean, or disorganised, it may be a sign that an individual can no longer manage without consistent support.
Concerns About Safety
Safety is a key factor when considering a move into a care home in Matlock. Dementia can affect someone's judgment and awareness of danger. They may become disoriented while outside, even in familiar streets, and be unable to find their way home. Night-time wandering, leaving the house at unusual hours, or moving around the home unsafely can increase the risk of falls or accidents. When these concerns become frequent, it may indicate that a more secure, dementia friendly environment is needed.
Changes in Behaviour and Mood
A once calm person may become more irritable or anxious as their symptoms progress. You may notice they become upset by small changes or react strongly to situations that did not trouble them before.
Another sign of progressing symptoms is increased agitation in the late afternoon or evening, or that they appear withdrawn and less interested in conversation or activities. These changes can be distressing for everyone involved, and they may be difficult to manage at home without specialist dementia support.
Fluctuating Mental Capacity and Decision-Making Capabilities
As dementia progresses, a person's mental capacity can fluctuate. They may still be able to make some choices, such as what to wear or what to eat, but struggle with more complex decisions about money or understanding that they need additional support.
They might insist they are coping well, even when there is clear evidence that they are not safe or well-supported at home. When someone can no longer fully understand the risks of their situation, families and health professionals may need to make decisions in their best interests by becoming their power of attorney. This can be a significant indication that a more structured and supervised environment is needed due to more complex health needs.
The Impact on Family Members and Carers
Caring for someone with dementia at home can be physically and emotionally demanding. Family members often balance their caring role with work, other relationships and their own health needs. Over time, the emotional strain of seeing a loved one's needs progress can become overwhelming.
It is common for carers to feel guilty about finding things hard, but it is important to remember that additional support can often improve the quality of life for both them and their loved ones. In reality, when care needs increase, no single person is expected to carry them alone. Feeling exhausted or unable to cope is an important indication that more formal care may be needed.
Care homes are there to support both residents and their families. When someone moves into a dementia care home, the caring responsibilities are shared with a professional team. Family members can still be closely involved, visiting regularly, taking part in activities and contributing to decisions, but they are no longer solely responsible for every aspect of care. This often allows relationships to feel more like they did before dementia impacted their daily life, giving space again for quality time and making new memories.
The Benefits of a Dementia Care Home
When the time is right, moving into a care home offering specialist dementia support can bring stability and comfort. Residents are supported by teams who understand dementia and are trained to provide personal care in ways that respect dignity and individuality.
Dementia care homes are designed to be dementia-friendly, with clear layouts, calm communal areas and features that help residents find their way around and feel secure. Care and support are tailored to individual needs, with care plans that reflect the person’s history and preferences.
Daily life usually includes a gentle structure of mealtimes, activities and quiet periods, helping residents feel more settled and less anxious. Activities are adapted to what each person can manage and enjoy, from simple sensory experiences to music, reminiscence, or light exercise. Being around other residents and familiar staff also helps reduce loneliness and provides opportunities for social interaction at a comfortable pace.
Families and friends always remain a central part of life. Visitors are warmly welcomed and many homes encourage family involvement in care planning and reviews. The aim is to create a community where residents feel safe and known, and where family members feel supported throughout their journey.
Getting Advice and Choosing the Right Care Home
If you are beginning to wonder whether a move into a care home might be needed, it can help to seek advice early. Social services can help you understand what level of support is required and discuss the care options available.
Visiting care homes in person can be invaluable. Walking around communal areas, seeing how residents and staff interact and asking questions about their dementia care, activities, facilities and visiting arrangements can give you a clear sense of whether a home feels right. If possible, involve your loved one in these visits and listen to their feelings and preferences.
Our First-Class Dementia Care at Darcy House
At Darcy House Care Home in Matlock, we understand how difficult it can be to decide when someone with dementia should move into a care home. We are proud to provide residential care, nursing care, dementia care and respite care in a warm, dementia friendly environment where residents are treated as individuals and supported with dignity.
Our experienced team offers specialist dementia care tailored to each resident’s needs and interests. With comfortable rooms, welcoming communal areas and thoughtful daily activities, we aim to help residents feel valued and at home. Family members and friends are always encouraged to visit and remain closely involved, so that relationships and shared moments continue to be at the heart of everyday life.
We offer a continuum of care at our Matlock care home, meaning we can continue to care for residents as their needs progress. Residents and their family members can enjoy peace of mind that they can continue to enjoy the highest quality of life in a place they can truly call home, no matter what happens.
For families who are considering a care home move for their loved one, come and see us at Darcy House. We can't wait to meet you and show you what makes us so special.
