Four Things To Think About In Any Dementia Care Plan

The task of creating a care plan for Dementia is something that no family ever wants to go through. It’s a difficult thing to go have to sit and do. But if you have a loved one affected by this terrible illness, it’s absolutely vital you talk with them to create a personalised care plan.

Dementia is an illness that takes lots of different forms. There are hundreds of different forms in fact – ranging from vascular to frontal temporal lobe Dementia. And people have very different care needs. Therefore, no two plans are going to be exactly the same. In fact, a Dementia care plan should be tailored specifically to the requirements of the individual – they should be at the centre of it all.

Type of Care?

One of the first things to address is what type of care they’ll be receiving. Will you be responsible for this, or will you be consulting the services of a professional carer from a home care agency? Although, on the face of it, it might seem like a relatively straightforward thing to decide, being such a big consideration, it’ll require a pretty substantial amount of deliberation.

You need to listen to what the person affected by Dementia wants. If they want to receive home care, you need to discuss it with them, and ensure that their wishes are met. For people affected by Dementia, settling into a new place can be incredibly difficult. Remember that the home is something to which many good memories are attached. And understandably it’s hard for anyone to give these up.

For this reason, care in the home is a popular option amongst people affected by Dementia.

Safety First

If they do decide they want to remain in their own home, it’s important that you discuss the potential ways in which the home may need to change. Being a degenerative illness, Dementia progressively worsens. That’s why even small additions, like the correct choice of colours, signs indicating where certain rooms are, and rails can help loved ones remain safe around the home. More extensive (and costly) adaptations may also need to be considered. You could, however, apply for a grant to fund them.

Dementia Affects People in Different Ways

Should you choose a specialist carer to come into the home to provide care, you need to make sure they know as much as possible. And not just about the condition of your loved one either. Sit down and discuss likes and dislikes with a person affected by Dementia. As the condition develops, this information could come in very useful in a care plan for Dementia – especially when dealing with challenging behaviour.

Planning Ahead

No one ever wants to plan for the end of life. But with Dementia is important to think about the future. You need to discuss, as a family unit, what should happen if the person with Dementia sees their condition deteriorate. It’s important to discuss these issues early on – soon after diagnosis. Who in the family will be responsible for making the important decisions related to care? This is something that a care plan for Dementia should cover.

Louisa Jenkins is a Grimsby-based blog writer. She regularly writes about Dementia, developing a care plan for Dementia patients, and care for people affected by other serious illnesses.