Are Dementia Patients Better Off at Home?

More than 421,000 Australians are living with dementia. This debilitating condition comes with many challenges for both the patient and their family.

At one point in the treatment, you might have to decide the next step. Should the person with dementia move to a nursing home? Or are dementia patients better off at home?

Assisted living facilities provide constant care, trained staff, and a safe environment. Many people with dementia are of the opinion that assisted living care is the best option. 

But staying at home can be better for some people battling dementia. This option provides a comfortable, familiar place. 

With Home Care Packages, patients can receive the care they need at home. They provide medical, emotional, and practical aid, helping your loved one deal with dementia in the comfort of their own home. 

If you need more information on why home care might be a more suitable solution, keep reading. 

In-Home Care for People Living with Dementia

If you or your loved one have dementia, you have two options. You can receive dementia care at a nursing home or your own home.

Let's talk about the first option in more detail. 

Seniors can apply for a Home Care Package in Australia. 

These services are available for elderly people with dementia. Patients with Alzheimer's disease and other chronic conditions can also apply for Home Care Packages.

Note that if you're eligible for home care services, you can continue to live independently at home. You don't need to have a cognitive disability to apply. 

Australians over the age of 65 are eligible for these services.

Home Care Packages are funded by the Australian Government. They include professional caregivers who provide home-based health care.

Home Care Packages usually include:

• Personal care
• Help with daily tasks
• Medication management
• Meal preparation
• Social activities
• Light housekeeping
• Home modifications
• Occupational therapy
• Specialised nursing
• Companionship care
• Home Health Aides

Once you are approved for a Home Care Package, you can choose your home care provider.

What Type of In-Home Care Do Dementia Patients Need?

Exactly what type of care dementia patients need depends on the stage of their condition, which we will discuss more later. 

In the early stages of dementia, patients might need help with daily tasks and reminders. For instance, they might need help with organising and keeping track of their daily routines.

But those in the late stages of dementia need much more support. They need intensive, full-time care focused on comfort and managing severe symptoms.

They also need this support more frequently. Some patients may even need 24/7 support.

For example, they may need help with personal hygiene, eating, and mobility. They may also need emotional support to create a calm, comforting environment.

Dementia patients typically have specialised care needs, including:

1. Memory care: Specialised care designed to meet the specific needs of dementia patients.
2. Behavioural care: Managing symptoms like aggression, agitation, or depression with the help of trained professionals.
3. Palliative care: Focused on comfort, pain relief, and quality of life, especially in the later stages.

Why You Should Receive Dementia Care at Home

If you or your loved one have a dementia diagnosis, you might think that an assisted living facility is your only option. 

While there are many benefits to moving to this type of facility, you have other options. 

You can also receive the care you need in the comfort of your home.

Here are some reasons why you or your loved one should receive dementia care at home:

• Familiar surroundings
• The support of friends and family members
• Help with basic tasks
• Staying comfortable and independent
• Personalised treatment
• One-to-one care
• Well-being and peace of mind

One of the main reasons for receiving care at home is the familiar environment. People with dementia can continue to live with their family members and in the comfort of their own homes.

People with dementia usually need help with everyday tasks. That's what the home care providers are there for.

They may also need help with personal hygiene. For example, bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, etc.

Professional caregivers can give hands-on assistance with these tasks.

They can also help prepare meals and provide nutrition. Some people with dementia may also need help with feeding.

All the while, home care providers can communicate with the patient's loved ones. That way, they can make sure the patient is getting the best possible care.

In-home caregivers can give the patient's family a break. In-home care also gives the family peace of mind, knowing their loved one is in safe hands.

How Long Can a Dementia Patient Be Cared for at Home?

How long dementia patients can stay at home depends on a few factors. One of the most important ones is the state of the condition.

As dementia progresses over time, we can divide this condition into three stages:

1. Early stages
2. Mid stages
3. Late stages

Home-based services are best suited for patients with early stages of dementia. 

People with mild dementia can live at home with minimal help. Family caregivers can help with medical appointments and daily living.

As the disease progresses, the patient may need additional help. 

Patients may need help with personal hygiene and medication management. There's also an increased risk of injury. So, the patient may need safety supervision.

Dementia patients in later stages need the most supervision and long-term care. At this stage, many families decide to move their loved ones to a nursing home.

But that doesn't have to be the case. Even patients in later stages of dementia can receive care at home.

They would usually be assigned to a Level 4 Home Care Package. Level 4 is for patients with complex care needs. It usually includes 24/7 care.

When Is It Time to Move to a Nursing Home?

Someone with dementia might be better off in a nursing home. Of course, this decision depends on many factors.

Your family member might need to go to a nursing home if:

1. You have safety concerns.
2. You don't have the means to take care of your loved one at home.
3. The patient needs care that's only available at nursing homes.
4. You want your loved one to be in a positive community.
5. Your loved one needs special medical equipment and assistive technology.
6. Your family member will have a better quality of life in a nursing home.

If the patient struggles with severe memory loss, it may be a better decision to move them to a facility. 

Advanced levels of dementia are always hard to handle.

With dementia and Alzheimer's disease, there's always an increased risk of injury. Nursing home residents are much safer at nursing facilities.

Nursing homes provide a support system for dementia care. Being surrounded by people in similar situations can be good for your mental and physical health.

Providing care for a loved one with dementia can be demanding. It can be hard on a physical and emotional level.

These services can provide temporary relief for family caregivers. They can also help manage the demands of dementia care.

Let Haisey Home Care Help You

Dementia care requires patience and professional caregiving. It's a chronic condition that requires non-stop care and support.

Some dementia patients prefer living at an assisted living facility where they can get 24/7 help. Others want to remain living at home, which is possible through Home Care Packages. 

To make sure your loved one is in safe hands, you need to find a reliable home care provider like Haisey Home Care. 

Here at Haisey Home Care, we offer compassionate memory care services. 

All your medical needs can be met at home. We have your best interests and well-being in mind.

From help with personal care and home maintenance to keeping you company and comfortable at home, our home care services are tailored to each individual. 

If you want to know more about our services, please contact us. You can also schedule a free in-home consultation.

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