10 steps for Dementia care in care homes

[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”2/3″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Dementia Awareness Week is here again and with it comes an important reminder of the need for care homes to treat those residents suffering with dementia with respect, patience and consideration.

Here are just ten measures you can take to help create a positive experience for a care home residents with dementia:

1. Ensure that you give all your staff proper training in how to care for people with dementia. This will help them learn about the difficulties that someone with dementia might face when trying to express themselves.

2. Make sure that one member of staff is allocated the responsibility for the care of each resident with dementia, so they have a clear understanding of that person’s background, interests and needs.

3. Always treat the resident with respect and dignity. Yes, at times they might need more help than others with certain tasks and decisions, but they deserve to be treated as an adult, not a child.

4. Support their independence and self-reliance, encouraging them to do things for themselves whenever they are capable of doing so.

5. On no account should you ever make a decision for the resident unless they lack the capacity to make a decision for themselves, in which case your decision must always be in their best interests.

6. Find out what interests and activities they enjoy doing both within and outside the care home and integrate these into their care plan wherever possible.

7. Create a good range of opportunities for them to socialise with other residents and get to know them. Also encourage them to maintain relationships with family and friends outside of the care home.

8. Help them to maintain a good level of personal care and ensure they always have enough food and drink.

9. Make sure that there is clear signage throughout the care home to help minimise distress through the confusion often arising from dementia.

10. Make sure they get outdoors regularly for fresh air, sunlight and exercise, as this will all help to boost their well-being.

More information on Dementia

If you would like to find out more about Dementia, why not visit the Alzheimer’s Society website, which is crammed with useful advice and information, including a host of useful publications about caring for people with dementia.

You can also click here to download our pdf on preserving dignity in care.
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